Faculty Awards

The American Academy of Arts and Sciences is one of the nation’s most prestigious honorary societies and a center for independent policy research. The following members of the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics have been honored as elected members:

Natalie Batalha, Sandra Faber, Doug Lin, Claire Max, Joseph Miller, Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz, Stan Woosley

The AAS Education Prize recognizes outstanding contributions to the education of the public, students, and/or the next generation of professional astronomers.
Puragra Guhathakurta (2025)

Awarded for outstanding research contribution, exceptionally creative or innovative character.
Steve Vogt (2002)

Awarded jointly by the American Institute of Physics and the American Astronomical Society, the Heineman Prize was established in 1979 to recognize outstanding work in the field of astrophysics.
Sandra Faber (1985), Jerry Nelson (1995), Piero Madau (2014)

Awarded for a significant contribution to observational or theoretical astronomy during the five years preceding the award.
Robert Kraft (1962), Mark Krumholz (2013)

Chosen on the basis of a lifetime of eminence in astronomical research.
Sandra Faber (2011), Robert Kraft (1995), Donald Osterbrook (1991), Albert Whitford (1986)

Awarded for significant advance or accomplishment (observational or theoretical) in High Energy Astrophysics by an individual astrophysicist within fifteen years of receiving their PhD.
Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz (2019)

For co-inventing sodium laser guide star adaptive optics and for shepherding adaptive optics from its roots in classified space surveillance to its prominence today as an essential techonogy on large telescopes.
Claire Max (2015)

The Pierce Prize is awarded annually for outstanding achievement in observational astronomical research based on measurements of radiation from an astronomical object.
Bruce Margon (1981)

Awarded for a significant contribution to high energy astrophysics, with particular emphasis on recent, original work.
Stan Woosley (2005)

The Urey Prize recognizes and encourages outstanding achievements in planetary sciences by a young scientist.
Jonathan Fortney (2010)

Given to an individual who has demonstrated leadership in research or policies advancing exploration of the Cosmos.Steve Vogt (2002), California and Carnegie Planet Search Team

Bruce Margon (2017), AURA HST and Beyond Committee 

The Association’s oldest award, the AAAS Newcomb Cleveland Prize, acknowledges an outstanding paper published in the Articles, Research Articles, or Reports sections of Science.

Bruce Macintosh (2009)

Recognizes outstanding work in theory, experiment or observation in the areas of astrophysics, nuclear physics, nuclear astrophysics, or closely related fields.

Stan Woosley (2005)

Recognizes a distinguished Black, Hispanic, or Native American physicist who has made significant contributions to physics research and the advancement of underrepresented minority scientists.

Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz (2017)

The APS Fellowship Program was created to recognize members who may have made advances in physics through original research and publication, or made significant innovative contributions in the application of physics to science and technology. 

Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz (2018), Bruce Margon (1991)

ASP’s highest award, the Catherine Wolfe Bruce Gold Medal, is awarded for a lifetime of outstanding research in astronomy.
Donald Osterbrock (1991), Albert Whitford (1996), Robert Kraft (2005), Sandra Faber (2012), Douglas N.C. Lin (2015)

The highest honor bestowed by the ASP, the award recognized D. Lin for a lifetime of outstanding research in astronomy.
Douglas N.C. Lin (2015)

Given for recent significant observational results made possible by innovative advances in astronomical instrumentation, software, or observational infrastructure.
Harland Epps (2014), Harland Epps, as part of the NICMOS Team (2003), Steve Vogt (1995)

The Brouwer Award is awarded annually by the Division on Dynamical Astronomy of the American Astronomical Society for outstanding lifetime achievement in the field ofdynamical astronomy. The prize is named for Dirk Brouwer.

Doug Lin (2014) 

This award is presented by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy to scientists and engineers, at mid-career, for exceptional contributions to the development ,use, control, or production of energy in basic and applied research supporting the Department of Energy and its mission to advance the national, economic and energy security of the United States.

Claire Max (2004)

The Paolo Farinella Prize is awarded by the Europlanet Society for significant contributions in our understanding of the structure, evolution and atmospheric dynamics of giant planets. 

Jonathan Fortney (2020)

This award honors individuals whose great innovation has benefited humanity, advanced science, launched new fields of inquiry, and deepened our understanding of the universe. The Franklin Awards are among the oldest and most prestigious comprehensive science awards in the world.

Sandra Faber (2009)

The Franklin Institute Awards are among the oldest and most prestigious science awards in the world, with winners recognized for their formidable and ground-breaking contributions to science.

Jerry Nelson (2012)

The Cosmology Prize honors a leading cosmologist, astronomer, astrophysicist or scientific philosopher for theoretical, analytical, conceptual or observational discoveries leading to fundamental advances in our understanding of the universe.

Sandy Faber (2017)

The Radcliffe Institute Fellowship Program annually selects and supports leading artists and scholars who have both exceptional promise and demonstrated accomplishments.

Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz (2014)

This is an international award that commemorates the late Dr. Gerhard Herzberg, NRC scientist and Nobel laureate, known worldwide as the “Father of Modern Molecular Spectroscopy.’ It is conferred annually upon a researcher who has distinguished himself or herself through many years of outstanding achievements in a field relevant to NRC’s programs.

Raja Guha Thakurta (2001)

“in recognition of your scientific career and of the influence you exerted on the development of Italia astronomy through your direct collaborations and those of your former students.”

Sandra Faber (2011)

Kavli Prizes were established to recognize truly exceptional scientists whose research has fundamentally and profoundly advanced our understanding of astrophysics, nanoscience, and neuroscience.

Jerry Nelson (2020) * shared with Roger Angel and Ray Wilson

The Mexican Academy of Sciences (Academia Mexicana de Ciencias) is a non-profit organization, comprising over 1800 distinguished Mexican scientists, attached to various institutions in Mexico, as well as a number of eminent foreign colleagues, including various Nobel Prize winners.

Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz (2010)

Members are elected annually in recognition of their distinguished achievements in original research; election is considered one of the highest honors that can be accorded a scientist or engineer. The following members of the Department of Astronomy Astrophyics have been honored as elected members:

Sandra Faber, Robert Kraft, Claire Max, Donald Osterbrock, Jerry Nelson, Stan Woosley

The National Medal of Science was created by statute in 1959 and is administered for the White House by the National Science Foundation. Awarded annually, the Medal recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to science and engineering. A committee of Presidential appointees selects nominees on the basis of their extraordinary knowledge in and contributions to chemistry, engineering, computing, mathematics, or the biological, behavioral/social, and physical sciences.

Sandra Faber (2012)

The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program is a Foundation-wide activity that offers the National Science Foundation’s most prestigious awards in support of junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher/scholars through outstanding research, excellent education and the integration of education and research within the context of the mission of their organizations.

Mark Krumholz (2010)

Enrico Ramirez Ruiz (2009)

Xavier Prochaska (2006)

In 1988, the Packard Foundation established these now highly prestigious awards to allow the nation’s most promising professors to pursue science and engineering research early in their careers with few funding restrictions and limited paperwork requirements. UCSC awardees are:

Alexie Leauthaud (2017)

Charlie Conroy (2013)

Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz (2008)

Connie Rockosi (2006)

The Madison Medal is named for the fourth president of the United States and Princeton University’s first “graduate student.” Established by the Association of Princeton Graduate Alumni, it is presented each year by the University to an alumnus or alumna of the Graduate School who has had a distinguished career, advanced the cause of graduate education or achieved an outstanding record of public service.

Claire Max (2009)

The Gold Medal is the highest award of the Royal Astronomical Society.

Sandy Faber (2020), Donald Osterbrock (1997)

Sandra Faber (2013), Doug Lin (2010)

These fellowships are awarded to early-career scientists and scholars of outstanding promise in recognition of distinguished performance and a unique potential to make substantial contributions to their field.

Alexie Leauthaud (2018), Andy Skemer (2016), Charlie Conroy (2013), Jonathan Fortney (2010), Mark Krumholz (2009), Raja Guha Thakurta (1997), Bruce Margon (1979), Sandra Faber (1977)

Bruce Macintosh (2011)

In 1981, the Berkeley Medal was established as the University’s top honor. It is bestowed on individuals of exceptionally distinguished achievements, whose work or contributions to society illustrate the ideals of the University and contribute to its goals, and whose careers have manifestly benefited the public well beyond the demands of tradition, rank, or direct service to the University.
Joseph Miller (2007)

This award is the division’s highest honor, recognizing faculty excellence in research, teaching, and service.
Doug Lin (2008), Stan Woosley (2004), Sandy Faber (2000)

The Chancellor’s Achievement Awards for Diversity honor and showcase people and programs that have made outstanding contributions to furthering diversity at UC Santa Cruz.
Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz (2010), Adriane Steinacker (2009)

Faculty members are honored for their exemplary and inspiring teaching.
Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz (2012–13)

Faculty members are honored for their exemplary and inspiring teaching.
Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz (2012–13)

Adriane Steinacker (2007) and (2015)

The selection is the foremost academic research honor bestowed by UCSC’s Academic Senate.
Steve Vogt (2011), Stan Woosley (2007), Donald Ostebrock (1997), Sandra Faber (1990), Robert Kraft (1981), Albert Whitford (1968)

Natalie Batalha (2019)