Department Awards | University of Maryland: Department of Astronomy

We are proud to recognize the outstanding achievements and contributions of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni through a variety of awards. Below, you will find detailed information about each award, including eligibility criteria, application procedures, and past recipients.

Nominations for some of these awards can be submitted at any time of the year using this Google Form.

Graduate Awards

Dr. John Chi-Lin Wang Award for Academic Excellence

The John Chi-Lin Wang Award for Academic Excellence is awarded each fall during the Department assembly to the third-year graduate student who best combines John's quest for excellence in research while making the department a better place. No application is necessary, and selection is made by the Department's professorial faculty. The selected candidate receives a $1,000 award. (The award is sometimes split when two or more candidates are equally deserving.)

Professor John C.-L. Wang joined the Department in 1994 and passed away on August 9, 1998, at the age of 38. Professor Wang contributed greatly to our department on a personal and a professional level. He took a special interest in undergraduate curriculum development, and his theoretical work paved the way for new discoveries in the field of high-energy astrophysics. For more information, Professor Wang's obituary is available online. Major donors for the Wang Award fund include Henry C.-Y. Wang, Helen P.-C. Wang, Jerry C.-L. Wang, and Athena L.-Y. Wang.

Award Winners

2024: Brian Davenport & Siddhant Solanki
2023: Ell Bogat
2022: Jordan Ealy
2020: Joe DeMartini
2019: Harrison Agrusa
2018: Weizhe Liu
2017: Kyle Sheppard
2016: Pradip Gatkine
2015: Tzu-Yu Hung
2014: Qian Wang
2013: Ron Ballouz & Krista Smith
2012: Thomas Shimizu
2011: Jessica Donaldson
2010: Shaye Storm
2009: Hannah Krug & Michael McDonald
2008: Edmund Hodges-Kluck
2007: Daniel Jontof-Hutter
2006: Lisa Wei
2005: Catherine McGleam & Lisa Winter
2004: Laura Brenneman
2003: Zoe Leinhardt
2002: Ke Zhang
2001: Jianyang Li
2000: Yuxuan Yang
1999: Woong-Tae Kim

Andrew S. Wilson Prize for Excellence in Research

The Andrew S. Wilson Prize for Excellence in Research is awarded in early fall to a graduate student nearing completion of the Ph.D. dissertation who demonstrates the high standards for research and scholarship exemplified by Professor Andrew S. Wilson. The student must be applying for jobs in astronomy during the upcoming academic year and must be advised by a member of the Department of Astronomy. (He/she may be based in another department, however.) Selection is made by the Department faculty based on research quality. To apply, please submit your CV and a statement of your dissertation research (two pages maximum) to the graduate director. The deadline is the same as the final day of the qualifying exam, which is typically in mid-August. The selected candidate receives a $500 award.

Professor Andrew S. Wilson joined the Department in 1977 and passed away on May 24, 2008, at the age of 61. His scientific work on active galactic nuclei spanned the entire electromagnetic spectrum from the radio to the X-rays. For more information, Professor Wilson's obituary is available online. Major donors for the Wilson Prize fund include Mrs. Kaija A. Wilson, Professor Wilson's widow, and Dr. Martin N. Wilson, Professor Wilson's brother.

Prize Winners

2024: Joe V. DeMartini
2023: Alex Dittmann
2022: Milena Crnogorčević
2021: Weizhe Liu
2020: Rebecca Levy
2019: Pradip Gatkine
2018: No Award
2017: J. Drew Hogg
2016: Krista Smith
2015: Maxime Rizzo & Thomas Shimizu
2014: Rodrigo Herrera Camus
2013: Kari Helgason
2012: Hannah Krug
2011: Hao Gong
2010: Edmund Hodges-Kluck
2009: Stacy Teng

Philip E. Angerhofer Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award

The Philip E. Angerhofer Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award is awarded each fall during the Department Assembly to the graduate student with the best overall performance as a Teaching Assistant during the preceding academic year. No application is necessary; selection is made by a committee drawn from the Department's teaching faculty. The selected candidate receives a $250 award.

Philip E. Angerhofer joined the Department as a graduate student in 1974. He worked with Professor Mukul Kundu on supernova remnants and received his Ph.D. in 1980. He took a position at the U.S. Naval Observatory but passed away in 1986 at the age of 35. Upon his death, the Department instituted the Angerhofer TA Award in his honor. Major contributors to the award's funding include the Department of Astronomy and Professor Donat Wentzel.

Award Winners

2023-2024: Yash Gursahani
2022-2023: Johnny Seebeck & Arjun Savel
2021-2022: Serena Cronin & Emma Mirizio
2020-2021: Jordan Ealy & Katya Leidig
2019-2020: Teal & Rebecca Levy
2018-2019: Joseph DeMartini
2017-2018: Julian Marohnic
2016-2017: Carrie Holt & Elizabeth Tarantino
2015-2016: Virginia Cunningham & Sara Frederick
2014-2015: Dana Louie & Amy Steele
2013-2014: Myra Stone
2012-2013: Drew Hogg
2011-2012: Krista Smith
2010-2011: Kory Kreimeyer
2009-2010: Alex McCormick
2008-2009: Shaye Storm
2007-2008: Sidharth Kumar
2006-2007: Megan DeCesar & Michael Gill
2005-2006: Jane Gilhooly
2004-2005: Ashley Zauderer
2003-2004: Meredith McCarthy
2002-2003: Vanessa Lauburg
2001-2002: Matthew Knight
2000-2001: Matthew Knight
1999-2000: Donna Pierce
1998-1999: Nikolaus H. Volgenau
1997-1998: Kartik J. Sheth
1996-1997: Kristen A. Miller
1995-1996: Sara E. Donaldson
1994-1995: C. Keith Watt
1993-1994: Michele Thornley
1992-1993: Philip A. Esterle
1991-1992: Rachel A. Gibbons
1990-1991: Tamara T. Helfer
1989-1990: Joseph P. McMullin
1988-1989: Kimberly A. Weaver
1987-1988: Peter W. Giovanoni

Gregor and Donat Wentzel Scholarship

Gregor and Donat Wentzel Scholarships provide support to help recruit and retain outstanding students in the Department of Astronomy. No application is needed; selection is usually made by the Graduate Entrance Committee from the most promising applicants for graduate study. Awards vary but typically range from $1,000 to $5,000.

The Gregor Wentzel Scholarship was established at the University in 1998 by Professor Donat Wentzel and Maria Wentzel to recognize Professor Wentzel's father, Gregor Wentzel (1898-1978), a renowned physicist who made major contributions to the development of quantum mechanics as well as X-ray spectroscopy, meson theory, and quantum electrodynamics.

Professor Donat Wentzel passed away on February 20, 2013, at the age of 78. He was a superb scientist and educator, and a great friend of the Department of Astronomy. He was well known for his work on plasma physics in the Sun and ISM, for his excellence as an educator, and for his public service to astronomy, for which he received the AAS Van Biesbroeck Prize in 2003. He was also a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences. His obituary was carried by the Washington Post. Subsequently, the scholarship was renamed the Gregor and Donat Wentzel Scholarship.

Scholarship Recipients (partial list)

Kiana Whitfield (2022)
Arjun Savel (2020)
Benjamin Hord (2018)
Amy Steele (2017)
Laura Lenkić (2016)
Krista Smith
Thomas Shimizu
Kory R. Kreimeyer
John I. Capone
Michael A. Gill

Research & Teaching Faculty Awards

Postdoctoral Scientist Prize for Excellence

The Postdoctoral Scientist Prize for Excellence was established by the Department of Astronomy to honor outstanding postdoctoral scholars. Eligible candidates include both traditional 2-3 year postdocs and recipients of fellowships such as Hubble, Einstein, CTC, etc. Selection is made in May by a committee drawn from the department's diverse membership, and the winner is announced at the department's End of the Year Celebration in June. The selected candidate receives a $500 award.

Prize Winners

2024/25: Hayley Beltz
2023/24: Matthew Nixon
2022/23: Igor Andrioni
2021/22: Shmuel Bialy
2020/21: Maitraiyee Tiwari
2019/20: Matej Malik & Erez Michaely
2018/19: Geoffrey Ryan
2017/18: Nathaniel Roth
2016/17: Erin Kara
2015/16: Laura Blecha & Marcio Melendez
2012/13: Silvia Protopapa

Early Career Research Scientist Prize for Excellence

The Early Career Research Scientist Prize for Excellence was established by the Department of Astronomy to honor outstanding early-career scholars. To be eligible, candidates must currently hold the rank of Assistant Research Scientist/Professor/Engineer and must have worked in the department for two or more years. (Winners are not eligible again for consideration until six years have passed.) Selection is made in May by a committee drawn from the department's diverse membership, and the winner is announced at the department's End of the Year Celebration in June. The selected candidate receives a $500 award.

Prize Winners

2023/24: Zorawar Wadiasingh
2018/19: Tracy Huard
2017/18: Eleonora Troja
2016/17: Valeria Cottini
2015/16: Silvia Protopapa
2013/14: Francesco Tombesi
2012/13: Michael S. Kelley

Distinguished Research Scientist Prize

The Distinguished Research Scientist Prize was established by the Department of Astronomy to honor outstanding established scholars. To be eligible, candidates must currently hold the rank of Associate or Senior Research Scientist/Professor/Engineer and must have worked in the department for two or more years. (Winners are not eligible again for consideration until six years have passed.) Selection is made in May by a committee drawn from the department's diverse membership, and the winner is announced at the department's End of the Year Celebration in June. The selected candidate receives a $500 award.

Prize Winners

2024/25: Lori Feaga
2023/24: Cecilia Chirenti, Dennis Chornay
2022/23: Ian Richardson
2021/22: Mike Kelley
2019/20: Tilak Hewagama
2018/19: Matthew Knight, Tony Farnham
2017/18: Elizabeth Ferrara
2016/17: Ludmilla Kolokolova
2015/16: Gennady Milikh
2013/14: Marc Pound
2012/13: Mark Wolfire

Distinguished Faculty Teaching Prize

The Distinguished Faculty Teaching Prize was established by the Department of Astronomy to honor outstanding faculty educators. All faculty ranks are eligible; candidates must have worked in the department for two or more years. (Winners are not eligible again for consideration until six years have passed.) Selection is made in May by a committee drawn from the department's diverse membership, and the winner is announced at the department's End of the Year Celebration in June. The selected candidate receives a $500 award.

Prize Winners

2023/24: Chris Reynolds
2022/23: Cole Miller
2021/22: Chris Hunt & Eliza Kempton
2020/21: Benedikt Diemer
2017/18: Massimo Ricotti
2016/17: Cole Miller
2015/16: Derek Richardson
2013/14: Melissa Hayes-Gehrke
2012/13: Andrew Harris

Staff Award

Professional Staff Prize for Excellence

The Professional Staff Prize for Excellence honors outstanding administrative and technical staff in the Department of Astronomy. Staff working in academic, business, facility administration IT, observatory (e.g. CARMA, Metzerott, etc), and NASA mission support/engineering are eligible. Up to two winners may be selected each year. (Winners are not eligible again for consideration until three years have passed.) Selection is made in May by a committee drawn from the department's diverse membership, and the winner is announced at the department's End of the Year Celebration in late May. The selected candidate receives a $500 award.

Prize Winners

2024/25: Natalie Rowe and Emily Callahan
2023/24: Lauren Miles, Elizabeth Warner

Technical Professional Staff Prize for Excellence

2022/23: Anne Raugh
2021/22: Adeline Gicquel-Brodtke
2020/21: Mark Wolfire
2019/20: Kevin Rauch
2018/19: Alyssa Pagan
2017/18: Tilden Barnes
2016/17: Peter Teuben
2015/16: Mark Wolfire
2013/14: William Sebok
2012/13: Anne Raugh
2012/13: Elizabeth Warner ("Research Associate and Faculty Research Assistant Prize")

Administrative Professional Staff Prize for Excellence

2022/23: Mona Susanto
2021/22: Erica Harrison
2020/21: Olivia Dent & John Cullinan
2019/20: David Holdridge
2018/19: MaryAnn Phillips
2017/18: Dorinda Kimbrell
2016/17: Susan Lehr & Adrienne Newman
2015/16: Natalie Rowe
2013/14: Y. Mona Susanto
2012/13: Barbara Hansborough

Mentoring Award

Excellence in Mentoring Prize

The Excellence in Mentoring Prize was established by the Department of Astronomy to honor outstanding mentors. All members of the department are eligible; candidates must have worked in the department for two or more years. (Winners are not eligible again for consideration until six years have passed.) Selection is made in May by a committee drawn from the department's diverse membership, and the winner is announced at the department's End of the Year Celebration in June. The selected candidate receives a $500 award.

Prize Winners

2024/25: Calvin Osinga
2023/24: Tad Komacek
2022/23: Massimo Ricotti
2021/22: M. Coleman Miller
2020/21: Eliza Kempton
2019/20: Rebecca Levy
2018/19: Derek Richardson
2016/17: L. Drake Deming & Elizabeth Warner
2015/16: Grace Deming
2013/14: A. Surjalal Sharma

Service & Inclusion

Departmental Service & Inclusion Award

The Departmental Service and Inclusion Award was established by the Department of Astronomy to honor those who have made exceptional contributions to the department through their service, DEI activities, and/or outreach efforts. All members of the department are eligible; candidates must have worked in the department for two or more years. (Winners are not eligible again for consideration until six years have passed.) Selection is made in May by a committee drawn from the department's diverse membership, and the winner is announced at the department's End of the Year Celebration. The selected candidate receives a $500 award.

Prize Winners

2024/25: Katya Ledig and Arjun Savel
2023/24: Jordan Ealy
2022/23: Erica Hammerstein & Serena Cronin, Isiah Holt, and Ramsey Karim
2021/22: Milena Crnogorčević

Undergraduate Award

Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Award

No application is necessary; selection is made by a committee drawn from the Department's teaching faculty. Awarded each fall during the Department Assembly to the undergraduate student with the best overall performance as a Teaching Assistant during the preceding academic year. The selected candidate receives a $150 award.

Award Winners

2023-2024: Wenxi Wu
2022-2023: Orion Guiffreda
2021-2022: Lacey Allee-Press
2020-2021: Audrey Grace Mellott
2019-2020: Raechel Blume
2018-2019: Eric Yates
2017-2018: Anna Engle
2016-2017: Matthew Varakian