American Astronomical Society celebrates women in science

In an Oct. 28 article from the American Astronomical Society (AAS), AAS President Megan Donahue shared the inspiring lessons to be learned by various Nobel Prize Winners, notably women in the science field, as part of her October message to readers. 

"In this difficult year, when there is so much stress and strife in the world, it is uplifting to see scientific achievements in astronomy and physics being recognized worldwide and to see that these recognitions now include the contributions of women scientists," Donahue wrote. "This is especially true when those achievements are the result of long-term, determined work by young researchers who had novel ideas and pursued them to fruition despite obstacles in their personal and professional lives."

Her message included the Nobel Prize in Physics, which was given to Roger Penrose, Reinhard Genzel and Andrea Ghez this year. Penrose is credited with proving the formation of black holes, as well as singularities in space-time being consequences of Einstein's general theory of relativity, in the 1960s. 

Ghez and Genzel researched the complex issues surrounding the observation of the galactic center through its veil of gas and dust. 

Ghez has been studying the challenges of the galactic center since her days as a fresh post-doctorate. She researched infrared speckle interferometry on the Keck telescope for decades, ultimately seeking to prove without a shadow of a doubt the existence of a supermassive black hole. 

"To accomplish this in a competitive field against more senior people with more support shows us all what can be done if we believe in what we are doing and are willing to work hard. [...]The Nobel Prize affirms the extraordinary accomplishments and the pioneering spirit of all three winners," Donahue said. "I’d like to specifically highlight [Ghez] as an inspiration for all scientists, and women in particular."

The AAS president said that Ghez's perseverance in the astronomy field is deserving of such high recognition as the Nobel Prize. 

"[...] The Nobel Prize in Physics 2020 shows that having an ingenious idea and following it through with determination, embracing new technology, and requiring that results meet the highest scientific standards leads to the most highly valued science," Donahue said. "Thank you, Andrea, for being such a great role model for our community!"

Donahue also noted the 2018 recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physics, Donna Strickland, who developed the chirped pulse amplification laser technique alongside her advisor, Gérard Mourou. The technique has been used for a multitude of industrial, medical and scientific applications, notably the glass screen on smartphones and LASIK eye surgery. 

"Donna pursued this work while still in graduate school and, in spite of career obstacles with the 'two-body problem,' continued it at several labs and ultimately became a noted professor at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada," said Donahue. 

Read more about the Nobel Prize in Physics here.