Candidate Statement: Todd Boroson

todd_boroson.png



Nominated Office: Vice-President

Affiliation: Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network (LCOGT, Inc.)

Position/title: President & Observatory Director

PhD institution: University of Arizona (1980)

Areas of scientific interest:
  • Quasars and AGN
  • Stellar populations and their evolution
  • Structure and properties of galaxies
  • Instrumentation
  • Astronomical software and data analysis techniques
  • Time domain research techniques

AAS positions: 

  • 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: The primary responsibility of the AAS Vice-Presidents is to manage the scientific content of the AAS meetings, including the selection of invited speakers. To me, the meetings are the special activity of the AAS. I have been going to AAS meetings since…well, a long time, and I have always enjoyed the chance to (a) visit with colleagues I see only occasionally, (b) talk with new young researchers in my areas of interest, and (c) hear interesting talks about new subjects. I would be thrilled and honored to help plan future meetings and to try to make them engaging for the entire astronomical community. I also look forward to participating in Council discussion and activities and to help make the (funding/research/society) environment better for all members of the AAS.