Candidate Statement: Ralph Kraft

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Nominated Office: Nominating Committee

Affiliation: Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

Position/title: Astrophysicist

PhD institution: The Pennsylvania State University (1995)

Areas of scientific interest:

  • High energy astrophysics
  • AGN jets
  • black holes
  • clusters of galaxies
  • formation of structure
  • astrophysical hydrodynamics
  • the outer planets
  • instrumentation for future astrophysics and planetary science missions

AAS positions: 

  • Member AAS (1989-present)
  • Member AAS High Energy Astrophysics Division (1995-present)
  • Member AAS Division of Planetary Sciences (2011-present)

Other relevant positions and experience:

  • Proposal review panels (XMM-Newton, ADAP, SI Consortium, etc.) (1995-present)
  • Chandra High Resolution Camera instrument team: Scientific co-investigator (1995-present)
  • Project scientist (2013-2015)
  • Principle investigator (2015-present)
  • SOC co-chair ``Radio Galaxies in the Chandra Era'' (2008)
  • SOC co-chair ``Charge exchange X-rays in current and future astrophysical researches'' (2015)

Candidate Statement: The AAS mission is to enhance and share humanity’s scientific understanding of the Universe. A well-led AAS ensures that our research, teaching, and outreach have the broadest possible impacts. By selecting the candidates for key AAS offices, the Nominating Committee has a critical responsibility that strongly influences the future direction of the AAS. My goals as a member of the Nominating Committee would be twofold. First, since the AAS is relatively close, but very diverse, community, I would ensure that our nominees reflect this diversity. In particular, it is important that any slate of nominees reflect the major research institutions and the smaller academic institutes, as well as the diverse cultural, gender, and ethnic backgrounds of our members. Second, it is critical that nominees bring the enthusiasm, broad vision, open mind, and varied experience necessary to lead the AAS. My first AAS meeting was the January, 1990 meeting in Washington, DC. I still remember the excitement and energy I felt listening to the talks, walking among all the posters, and most importantly talking with the other participants who truly loved this work. I am honored to stand for election to the Nominating Committee.