CITA co-founder, Professor Peter G. Martin, FRSC, is honored

The Canadian Astronomical Society President Laura Ferrarese made the announcement today with evident pleasure. “For more than four decades, Dr. Martin has been a driving force and steadfast supporter of astronomy in Canada,” she said. “In bestowing the Executive award on behalf of the entire astronomical community, the CASCA Board recognizes his outstanding contributions to our society and extends to Dr. Martin a small, but heartfelt, token of our gratitude,” Dr. Ferrarese said.

In making the award, the CASCA board described how Martin bolstered Canada’s reputation as a world leader in astronomical research first by co-founding the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Research in 1984, which “quickly grew into one of the world’s leading centres for theoretical astrophysics. Then, during the past decade, he worked tirelessly to establish the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics, now poised to become a major centre for the development of astronomical instrumentation. The Canadian astronomical community, as a whole, benefits greatly from both CITA and the Dunlap Institute: e.g., through CITA’s National Fellows program, a vital source of postdoctoral funding for Universities across the country, and through the outreach efforts to which both Institutes are firmly committed.

Dr. Martin’s contributions to the national community are equally extensive. He has served on countless national and international committees, including the Coalition for Canadian Astronomy and the Association of Canadian Universities for Research in Astronomy (ACURA), of which he was one of the founding advisors. His ties with CASCA are particularly strong: he served as President of the Society between 2006 and 2008, and two of CASCA’s most prestigious awards, the Martin award and the Dunlap Award for Innovation in Astronomical Research Tools, are endowed thanks to his initiative.

With over 280 publications in peer reviewed journals, on topics ranging from the interstellar medium to active galactic nuclei, Dr. Martin has received numerous prizes and honours, including CASCA’s Beals Award in 1994. He was elected to the Royal Society of Canada in 2007.”

The Executive Award for Outstanding Service is given every two years, “to an individual who has made sustained contributions in service that have strengthened the Canadian astronomical community and enhanced its impact regionally, nationally and/or internationally.”

Congratulations Peter.