[Thomas R, Metcalf]

Thomas Metcalf Travel Awards

Dr. Thomas R. Metcalf was widely respected for his work in the observation, analysis, and interpretation of solar magnetic fields, as well as solar flare hard x-ray imaging and energetics. A patient mentor, Tom helped establish an undergraduate summer research program in Boulder, Colorado and he expertly advised post-docs and graduate students through the years. He was a prolific researcher who has been described as "one of the nicest guys in science." Dr. Metcalf passed away in July, 2007 at the age of 45.

In consultation with Dr. Metcalf's family, the Solar Physics Division (SPD) has established the Thomas Metcalf SPD Travel Fund. The fund helps support newer members' expenses for attending meetings relevant to solar physics.

The 2012 Thomas Metcalf Lecturer Program

The 2012 Thomas Metcalf Travel Awards support travel costs of those with PhDs received from 2008 - 2012 to enable them to participate in a meeting relevant to solar physics. Metcalf Lecturers will be selected based on their potential for future contributions to the field of solar physics and relevance to the topic of the meeting. Recipients will be expected to present results relevant to their thesis or current work in solar physics and must be members of the Solar Physics Division.

Applications for travel award funds will be accepted from organizers of meetings relevant to solar physics that will take place before December 31, 2012. Applications should be no more than two pages in length and should include the name, location, date, and topic of the meeting. Organizers should indicate how they plan to use the Metcalf Awards to maximize the impact on the field of solar physics. The application should also include a plan for how Metcalf Lecturers will be selected and provide a budget. Lecturer awards must be approved by the Metcalf Travel Award Committee chair and awards will be paid directly to the recipients by the SPD.

The Metcalf Travel Award Committee for 2012 is Todd Hoeksema (chair), Marc DeRosa, and Kathy Reeves. Applications are due to the committee chair by October 15, 2011 for meetings taking place before December 31, 2012. The committee will announce the selections by November 30, 2011. For 2012 $7000 is available and the expectation is that awards will be made to support at least two meetings.

Metcalf lecturers must present their work at the meeting they attend and must provide to the committee a one-page summary of their work suitable for public distribution on the Metcalf Lecturer website.

More Information about the Metcalf Lecturer Program

Metcalf Lecturer Reports

2012
  • TBD

Contribute to the Metcalf Travel Fund

Donations to the fund may be made electronically to the Thomas Metcalf SPD Travel Fund or sent to the headquarters of the American Astronomical Society at the following address:

Thomas Metcalf SPD Travel Fund
American Astronomical Society
2000 Florida Ave., NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20009-1231, USA