Candidate Statement: Todd Boroson

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Nominated Office: President

Affiliation: Las Cumbres Observatory

Position/title: Observatory Director

PhD institution: University of Arizona (1980)

Areas of scientific interest:

  • Quasars and AGN
  • Stellar populations and their evolution Instrumentation
  • Data analysis techniques
  • Time domain research techniques

AAS positions & dates: 

  • Heineman Prize Committee (2007-2009, chair: 2009)
  • AAS Executive Officer Search Committee (2005)
  • Councilor (2003-2006)

Other relevant positions and experience:

  • Member of NRC Committee on a Strategy to Optimize the U.S. OIR System in the Era of the LSST (2014)
  • Interim Director, NOAO (2007-2008)
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics Survey Committee – Member of Ground-based OIR Program Prioritization Panel (2010); Member of Survey Committee and Vice-Chair of Ground-based OIR Panel (2000)
  • Co-Chair of Organizing Committee for three community Workshops on the OIR System (2000, 2004, 2006)
  • Member of Committee on Astronomy and Astrophysics (1997-2000)

Candidate Statement: It is a great honor to be nominated for AAS president. But the only reason that I agreed to be a candidate is because I want the opportunity to give back to the field, the organization, and the community that I have enjoyed being a member of for the last 40 years. As a society (in both senses), we face some important challenges right now. The AAS should help to guide our members – particularly the younger ones – into and through successful careers. It should do this by running effective meetings, by advocating positions that amplify the voices of the membership, and by providing services that help our members understand and intelligently make the choices that face them.

As president, I would continue the efforts for inclusiveness and diversity that Meg has taken on so effectively. I would make the AAS a strong voice in areas of public policy that affect the careers of society members. I would make sure that the work we do as astronomers is recognized and respected. And most of all, I would listen to you – because ultimately, the society’s success is measured by the satisfaction of the membership.