UCSB Professor Astronomy Winner
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Tommaso Treu, associate professor of physics at the University of California at Santa Barbara, was just awarded the Newton Lacy Pierce Prize for 2010. The American Astronomical Society, the biggest organization of pro astronomers in North America, bestowed the prestigious honor on Treu, which includes a large cash award.
Chalk one more up for innovative Californians!
Treu was awarded the Pierce Prize "for his insightful work into the physical understanding of the formation and evolution of galaxies, groups and clusters, including the coupled evolution of the luminous, dark matter and black hole components" according to the AAS.
"I feel surprised and honored!", Treu excitedly stated. The Newton Lacy Pierce Prize in Astronomy is awarded each year for major accomplishment in observational astronomical research. It is given only to a North American astronomer under 36 years of age.
"This prize recognizes the outstanding discoveries Tommaso has already made early in his career, and the impact they have had in the field of astronomy," said Michael Witherell, vice chancellor for research at the University of California at Santa Barbara. "He joins a very select group of astronomers who have won this prize over its history."
Dr. Treu received his Ph.D in physics in Italy. He has earned many distinctions including awards from the National Science Foundation, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the Packard Foundation and the UCSB Harold J. Plous Award.
The UC Santa Barbara physics professor has been involved with the Keck Observatory, the Hubble Telescope, the Chandra X-Ray Observatory and the Spitzer Telescope. He serves on the Science Frontier Panel promoted by the National Research Council of the National Academies of Science.
Way to go, and congratulations, Tommasu Treu.
