Travel Awards for Early Career Solar Physicists Get a Boost

About 10 years ago, thanks to a major contribution from the Metcalf family, the AAS Solar Physics Division (SPD) established the Thomas Metcalf Travel Award (MTA) to support travel expenses of younger scientists to attend meetings relevant to solar physics. Tom Metcalf was widely respected for his work in the observation, analysis, and interpretation of solar magnetic fields as well as in hard X-ray imaging and energetics of solar flares. A patient mentor, Tom helped establish an undergraduate summer research program in Boulder, Colorado, and he expertly advised postdocs and graduate students through the years. He was a prolific researcher who has been described as "one of the nicest guys in science." Sadly, he passed away in July 2007 at the age of 45.

It was not expected that the MTA funds would last more than 10-15 years. However, last year the the SPD created a committee to explore extending the program. The committee adopted the goal of funding the program in perpetuity. Two large contributions have gotten the fund a good way toward this goal. Tom Metcalf’s parents, Fred and Marilyn, generously contributed $50,000, and their donation was generously matched by the SPD Committee. In the coming year the MTA Extension Committee will engage in fundraising to expand the endowment to allow the number of awards to better meet the demand.

— Maria Kazachenko
Chair, SPD Metcalf Travel Award Committee