Candidate Statement: Derek Buzasi

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Nominated Office: Nominating Committee

Affiliation: Florida Gulf Coast University

Position/title: Professor and Whitaker Eminent Scholar

PhD institution: Penn State University (1989)

Areas of scientific interest:

  • variable stars
  • asteroseismology
  • exoplanets
  • instrumentation

AAS positions: 

  • Member, AAS, HEAD, SPD (1988-present)
  • AAS Agent (2014-present)
  • AAS Career Center (2014-15)

Other relevant positions and experience:

  • IAU (2003-present)
  • Sigma Xi (1990-present)
  • Numerous NASA review and advisory panels, including ADP/ADP, LTSA, Astrophysics Theory, Chandra, Keck, Kepler, AISR, Explorer Program, NVO SDT, etc.
  • NSF review panels, including AAG, GRFP, etc.
  • NASA Visiting Senior Scientist (Rotator, 1994-96)
  • Kepler Asteroseismic Science Consortium (KASC, 2000-present)

Candidate Statement: The nominating committee’s task is to identify capable, dedicated, and enthusiastic candidates for AAS leadership positions who reflect all of the varied qualities and qualifications of the society’s members. I have worked in a broad range of institutions, from small colleges to research universities and governmental organizations, and made use a cross-section of astronomical tools including multiwavelength observations, theory, and instrumentation, which gives me a strong basis for identifying such candidates. I’ve served productively on numerous committees from the institutional to the national level, and understand how to contribute in collegial yet meaningful ways. Finally, I also believe that the committee membership should reflect the society as a whole, and my current status as a faculty member at a comprehensive university will help to give voice to those society members who are not at research universities. If elected, I would be honored to serve as a member of the nominating committee, and would provide thoughtful and conscientious service to the AAS.