Candidate Statement: Stefanie Milam

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Nominated Office: Councilor

Affiliation: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Position/title: Research Scientist and JWST Deputy Project Scientist for Planetary Science

PhD institution: University of Arizona (2007)

Areas of scientific interest:

  • Comets and Primitive Bodies
  • Evolved Stars
  • Star Formation
  • Galactic Chemical Evolution
  • Laboratory Astrophysics
  • Infrared Astronomy
  • Radio/Millimeter/Submillimeter Astronomy

AAS positions:

  • American Astronomical Society member (2002 – present)
  • Division for Planetary Sciences member (2008 – present)

Other relevant positions & experience:

  • James Webb Space Telescope Deputy Project Scientist for Planetary Science (2012 – current)
  • Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array Time Allocation Committee (2015 – 2018)
  • Far Infrared Surveyor Report Team (2015)
  • Hubble Space Telescope Solar System Advisory Committee (2013 – 2014)
  • Cosmic Origins Program Analysis Group - Science Analysis Group #9 (2014)

Candidate Statement: My goal for being on the council is to represent multidisciplinary scientists and those from more focused communities (e.g. planetary astronomy and laboratory astrophysics). Some of the most popular scientific topics to the general public, and those that inspire future astronomers/scientists and leverage congressional support for the entire field, are often from these smaller groups.

As a scientist involved in both astrophysical and planetary science research, I can provide a unique perspective into the distinct and common needs of both communities and bridge the gap in future initiatives. By bridging this gap, the community resources/facilities are more fully utilized. Thus, a more integrated society, that supports all sub-disciplines working on focused goals and missions, will be more efficient and successful. Additionally, I think the broader astronomical community should focus on the theoretical and laboratory needs to advance the return on investment for current research assets (facilities, observatories, laboratories, etc).