ASD Peer Awards 2007

David Friedlander has posted photos of the awardees.

Sandy Barnes

For unfailing dedication and support of numerous programs and activities within the Astrophysical Sciences Division.

Sandy is the mind and heart behind every GLAST science meeting. She anticipates and solves all the logistical problems, leaving the scientists free to focus on the content of the meetings. She is the single point of contact for badges for GLAST foreign national visitors. The paperwork for these is always done promptly and correctly, and she has been outstanding at solving issues when they arise. Sandy handled the travel arrangements for the scientific colloquium speakers, assisted with the proceedings of the GLAST symposium and processed over a hundred grants. She is a bedrock of logistical support for many activities in ASD, particularly those involving scientific interaction and communication. Sandy's work and positive attitude contributes directly to making ASD an interesting, stimulating place for everybody.

Joe Hill

For devising and successfully advocating a new concept for gamma-ray burst (GRB) polarimetry.

Joe recognized both the importance of polarimetry as a key probe of the prompt emission mechanism in GRBs and that the X-ray polarimeters being developed in the ASD could be the basis of a powerful new GRB polarimeter. In the face of cynical skepticism and supreme indifference from her colleagues, she nearly single-handedly developed a winning ROSES APRA proposal to develop the GRB polarimeter and a concept for a small GRB polarimeter that was selected for the MidStar-II mission. Joe's gift to the ASD is in the recognition that you have to imagine something is possible in order to create the opportunity to demonstrate that it can happen

Ed Sabol

For building, implementing, maintaining and continually improving the RPS/AKBAR system.

Ed has implemented a streamlined, flexible, easy-to-use proposal submission and management system. The proposal ingest system has been expanded this year to include GALEX and GLAST, on short schedules and with changing requirements; Ed was creative, calm under pressure, and quick in handling these programs. The proposal review system has resulted in efficient and professional running of proposal reviews by all missions using it to date RXTE, Suzaku, Swift, Integral, XMM/Newton. Ed works to understand the projects' desires, and then implements exactly what is needed even anticipating needs before they are realized by the projects. His complete and thorough documentation is marvelous. His work makes life easier for those of us running projects and those of us submitting proposals.

Zaven Arzoumanian

For taking on any task no matter how difficult and bringing sense to the whole project.

Zaven has been a key player in our efforts to expand X-ray astrophysics instrumentation and methods into other fields. He developed turn-key software and algorithms to make practical use of ASDs new Continuum X-ray Diffractometer which recently has been submitted as a full patent application. He has also played a major role in advancing the concept of X-ray Communication for uses in NASA and elsewhere. Zaven has brought a quiet intelligence and dedication to these projects and others, where he has been selfless and cheerful in contributing his talents and time.

Paul Cursey

For significant fabrication, assembly, and design contributions to numerous instrumentation and payload systems.

Paul has distinguished himself through his practical design insights and ability to fabricate components for precision astronomical instrumentation systems. Through his flexible and can-do approach he is able to constructively engage designers and hardware end users, thus allowing alternatives to be quickly discovered and implemented. His attention to detail and superior craftsmanship are valued by his peers and a vital resource to the laboratorys experimental and hardware efforts.

Sara Mitchell

For enthusiastically directing the production of the ASD podcast, Blueshift.

Sara is exemplary in her commitment to sharing exciting Astrophysics Science Division research with the general public. She is always willing to put in long hours when needed. Her hard work on the day-to-day organization and direction of the ASD podcast, Blueshift, has contributed to its successful debut. Not only has this project allowed the ASD to enter the podcast realm, but it has brought together members of the Division in the recording studio for excellent "outside of the lab" interaction. Sara's dedication and enthusiasm for outreach are tremendous assets to the ASD.

Naoko Iyomoto

For contributions to the characterization and development of x-ray calorimeters.

Naoko has made significant contributions to the characterization and development of high-resolution, transition-edge-sensor (TES) x-ray calorimeters. She is tireless at determining how various parameters are correlated, and she uses those relationships both to improve our understanding of TES calorimeters and to get the best performance out of them. Naoko's thorough work supports all aspects of the TES project, from maintaining cryogenic test platforms and characterizing measurement equipment to measuring the highest resolution ever achieved in an x-ray calorimeter at 6 keV. In addition to her many contributions, the warmth of her personality brings smiles to all of her co-workers.

Suzette Kempler

For her valuable resources leadership of the Astrophysics Science Division.

Suzette has been instrumental in implementing new financial processes in the ASD to include providing funds visibility to the division. She is moving the ASD forward in the collaboration between the scientists and the resources team to provide a stronger financial foundation. Her positive attitude and friendly demeanor makes it easy to work with her, and she encourages us to move forward when problems arise without finding faults in this trying financial time. Her financial knowledge, willingness to resolve problems, and outstanding support make her an asset to our division and enable her to make daily life easier for the rest of us.

Ann Hornschemeier

For exemplary dedication to the communication of science.

In her role as Deputy Project Scientist for Constellation-X, Ann works hard to build community support for the science goals of the mission but her dedication to sharing and communicating science extends much farther. She organized the first EXCON meeting to bring GSFC scientists together. She runs the Girl Scouts Ace of Space program, bringing girls to GSFC to learn from NASA scientists. Also, every year she works tirelessly with high school and college students, teaching and inspiring them. Ann's enthusiasm and dedication to the communication of science truly set her apart.

Paul Mirel

For contributions to long-wavelength instrument development and excellence in student mentorship.

Paul has distinguished himself through his outstanding design, fabrication, integration, and flight support of the balloon-borne ARCADE instrument. In addition, in his ongoing student mentorship role, he has successfully used science as a vehicle to inspire and has thereby introduced numerous individuals to the world of practical astrophysical instrumentation and experimental design. To those in need in assistance, Paul is always prepared and happy to lend a helping hand.

Debbie Williams

For outstanding resources support of the X-ray Astrophysics Laboratory.

Debbie joined the ASD resources team last year and quickly became familiar with the complex programs of the lab. She has come to understand the nature and requirements of the different elements of the financial situation and is always able to explain the ever-changing budget requirements. She responds quickly and effectively to various program requests and stays on top of everyones funding requirements. Resources accounting in ASD is very high-stress, but Debbie deals with everyone with the most pleasant and professional demeanor, making her a valuable asset to the division.

Dave Linard

For getting things done, for keeping things going, and for coffee and doughnuts.

Dave works with construction contractors, facilities and maintenance people, Goddard bureaucracy, and cranky building components to keep Building 21 safe, clean, and operational, so that all of us can get our work done. He also makes ample time to work with scientists and engineers to build world-class instruments and spacecraft components. Most importantly, he keeps us all going with his tireless support for the Building 21 coffee mess. His continued and conscientious attention to detail provides us with a "home" in which to work comfortably and safely. Without Dave's caretaking, no one in Building 21 would be able to function!

Anita Krishnamurthi

For making the public outreach program work despite limited resources.

Anita has distinguished herself by leading her outstanding team to make the EPO program work despite severely limited resources. She has initiated the ASD podcast, Blueshift, established a new ASD display in the GSFC visitors center, and expanded the pilot after-school science program from inner-city Washington to the rest of the country. Anita is constantly encouraging and makes it very easy for scientists to add EPO components to their proposals to provide the much-needed resources for the EPO program. Anita's creativity and determination make her invaluable to the ASD.

Johannes Staguhn

For leading the development of a novel instrument with international collaboration.

Johannes has led the development of a novel, powerful new instrument in record time despite a difficult funding environment. In less than two years, he has developed the concept for the instrument, negotiated a generous allotment of time for the instrument on a major European telescope, led the design of the instrument, and is now in the latter stages of integration and testing. Named GISMO, the instrument is a 2mm-wavelength camera that has the potential to be the first ultra-high-redshift (z>6) galaxy finder. Once fielded, this camera will make significant contributions to the study of the high redshift universe and will enhance the reputation of Goddard in the manufacture of superconducting bolometer-based instrumentation. Johannes contributions in the ASD go well beyond this: he has been a pillar of support for far-infrared detector development.

Phil Goodwin

For significant contributions to the GLAST project and many other ASD endeavors.

As an ASD engineer of long standing, Phil's talent and engineering judgment have directly contributed to the successes of many of the divisions projects. Phil takes a broad interest in the whole engineering picture, from concept, through design, manufacture, integration, test, and operation. He helped GLAST solve critical production problems with the LAT tracker flex cables by reviewing the design and history of the cable, visiting the vendor in Boston every week, and serving as the technical interface with the LAT team and the GLAST project. His no-nonsense approach and great ability to identify clear solutions in complex situations make him a highly valued engineer.

Mal Niedner

For quiet, conscientious, crucial support of HST, as Deputy Senior Project Scientist.

Mal contributes daily, without much fanfare, to the health and well-being of the Hubble scientific enterprise. He represents the project in many important forums and steps in seamlessly for the Senior Project Scientist when needed. He serves conscientiously and critically on numerous project teams and review boards, volunteering (when needed) to dive into subtle technical issues. He has very quietly helped steer some extremely important HST decisions in the right directions, such as details of STIS repairs or WFC3 detector choices. The role of a longtime Deputy is not particularly visible, particularly when done well; Mal has served admirably in that role and regularly has made important contributions that are valued by his colleagues. Without his determined defense of the scientific community, we would not be able to do much of the science at which HST is best.

Urmila Prasad

For support of the astrophysical research community through the LAMBDA data center.

Urmila is the backbone of the Legacy Archive for Microwave Background Data Analysis (LAMBDA) data center. Through her efficient, novel and tireless support of this unique aspect of NASAs mission to the science community, Urmila has enabled researchers to publish thousands of papers based on the centers Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) related holdings. Perhaps more importantly she is recognized as a true pleasure to work with.

Bernie Rauscher

For notable achievements in the development of the JWST/NIRSpec detector subsystem.

Bernie Rauscher has exhibited sustained superior performance in the difficult international role of PI of the detector subsystem for NIRSpec. He has led the AETD development team for this complex subsystem, developed the requirements document and project plans for both ESA and NASA to enable both a Systems Requirement Review and detector contractor solicitation. Recently, Bernie's most significant accomplishment has been to lead the TRL-6 test campaign for all the JWST near-infrared detectors and to present the successful completion of that campaign to the Non-Advocate Review board. He has demonstrated an exemplary ability to interact not only with ESA, JWST, and AETD, but also with his many ASD colleagues while providing effective leadership on a technical level with his co-workers.