Chris Impey | Education | Best Researcher Award

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Prof. Chris Impey | Education | Best Researcher Award

Pro.Chris Impey Education at University of Arizona, United States

Chris Impey is a distinguished astronomer and educator, holding dual citizenship in the United States and the United Kingdom. He earned a B.Sc. in Physics with First Class Honors from the University of London and a Ph.D. in Astronomy from the University of Edinburgh, where his research focused on polarization studies of BL Lac objects. His academic career includes appointments at prestigious institutions such as CERN, the University of Hawaii, Caltech, and the University of Arizona, where he has served as a professor and held numerous leadership roles including Deputy Department Head and Associate Dean of the College of Science. Impey is a University Distinguished Professor and has received numerous accolades for his teaching and science communication, including the NSF Distinguished Teaching Scholar Award and the American Astronomical Society Education Prize. He is an accomplished author, a dedicated science communicator, and an active participant in various scientific organizations and advisory boards. His entrepreneurial ventures include founding companies and nonprofits that bridge science, technology, and public engagement.

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Suitability for the Research for Best Researcher Award: Chris Impey

Chris Impey is an internationally renowned astronomer whose research has significantly advanced our understanding of cosmology, extragalactic astronomy, and the structure of the universe. With a Ph.D. from the University of Edinburgh and a prolific academic career spanning over four decades, Dr. Impey has held distinguished positions at premier institutions including the University of Arizona and Princeton University. His work is widely cited and respected, reflecting both depth and breadth across multiple astronomical domains.

🎓 Education

  • B.Sc. in Physics – University of London, 1977 (First Class Honors) 🧠📘

  • Ph.D. in Astronomy – University of Edinburgh, 1981 🪐🔭

    • Thesis: Polarization Studies of BL Lac Objects

    • Advisors: R.D. Wolstencroft & P.W.J.L. Brand

  • Languages: Spanish 🇪🇸 (strong), Italian 🇮🇹 & French 🇫🇷 (fair)

💼 Work Experience / Appointments

  • 🧪 Research Assistant – CERN, Geneva (1977)

  • 🌌 Research Assistant – Univ. of Edinburgh & Royal Observatory (1977–1981)

  • 🌴 Research Associate – Univ. of Hawaii (1981–1983)

  • 🌠 Weingart Fellow – Caltech (1983–1986)

  • 👨‍🏫 Assistant Professor – Univ. of Arizona (1986–1991)

  • 📚 Associate Professor – Univ. of Arizona (1991–1996)

  • 🚀 Associate Director – NASA Space Grant, Univ. of Arizona (1991–1995)

  • 🛰️ Visiting Professor – Univ. of Washington (1995–1996)

  • 🌟 Professor – Univ. of Arizona (1996–2000)

  • 🧭 Deputy Dept. Head – Univ. of Arizona (1999–2016, 2024–2025)

  • 🏅 University Distinguished Professor – Since 2000

  • 🎓 Honors Professor – Univ. of Arizona (Since 2010)

  • 🧑‍🏫 Visiting Professor – Princeton University (2011–2012)

  • 🔬 STEM Co-Director – Univ. of Arizona (2013–2016)

  • 🏛️ Associate Dean – College of Science, Univ. of Arizona (2016–2020)

  • 🌍 Visiting Scholar – Imperial College London (2019)

🏆 Awards & Honors

  • 🥇 NATO/SERC Fellowship (1981–1983)

  • 🥇 Weingart Fellowship (1983–1985)

  • 🌠 Dudley Observatory Award (1990)

  • 🌌 Slipher Award – NAS (1998)

  • 🎓 NSF Distinguished Teaching Scholar (2002)

  • 👨‍🏫 Arizona Professor of the Year – Carnegie Foundation (2002)

  • 🌟 Vice President – American Astronomical Society (2003–2006)

  • 🧑‍🔬 Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar (2006–2007)

  • 🛸 Emmons Award – College Astronomy Teaching (2007)

  • 🧬 AAAS Fellow (2009)

  • 🏫 Stanley Kelley Visiting Professor – Princeton (2011–2012)

  • 🪐 AAO Distinguished Visitor (2014)

  • 📚 Eugene Emme Literature Award – AAS (2014)

  • 🧪 HHMI Professor (2014–2019)

  • 🎤 Gresham College Lecturer, London (2016)

  • 🌟 Klumpke-Roberts Award – Public Astronomy Outreach (2016)

  • ⭐ AAS Legacy Fellow (2019)

  • 📖 AAS Education Prize (2021)

  • 🏞️ Bellagio Center Residency – Rockefeller Foundation (2022)

  • 🌐 Fulbright Specialist – U.S. State Dept (2022–2026)

  • 🎥 Science Communication Award – Olomouc Film Festival (2023)

  • ✍️ 1st Prize, Astrobiology SciComm Writing Contest (2024)

  • 🧑‍🚀 Visionary Scientists Award – Cosmologists Without Borders (2024)

  • 🏅 Finalist, Cosmos Prize – International Book Award (2025)

Publication Top Notes:

Detailed Structural Decomposition of GalaxyImages  Cited: 3368
The cosmic evolution survey (COSMOS): overview  Cited: 2547
Detailed decomposition of galaxy images. II. Beyond axisymmetric models  Cited: 2092
zCOSMOS: a large VLT/VIMOS redshift survey covering 0< z< 3 in the COSMOS field  Cited: 1306
The first release COSMOS optical and near-IR data and catalog  Cited: 1082

Conclusion:

Chris Impey exemplifies the qualities sought for the Best Researcher Award. His pioneering contributions to astrophysics, outstanding educational leadership, and exceptional commitment to public science literacy mark him as a global leader in his field. Recognizing Dr. Impey with this award would honor not only his distinguished career but also his transformative influence on both the scientific community and society at large.