Since 1987, astrophysics professor and associate chair of the astrophysics department David Spergel has investigated elusive scientific phenomena, such as dark matter and the origins of the universe. He has balanced the disparate demands of teaching, research and family life.
Spergel's pursuit of the mysteries of new galaxies remains as potent a challenge as ever, but his quest to juggle the different parts of his life has just become easier.
Yesterday Spergel was formally recognized by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation as a recipient of the 2001 MacArthur Fellowship.
The MacArthur Fellowships, also known as "genius grants," are extended to individuals who have shown "extraordinary originality and dedication in their creative pursuits and a marked capacity for self-direction" in their respective endeavors, according to a statement released by the foundation.
These fellowships recognize intellectuals from a wide range of fields and the funds they award have no strings attached. Among this year's 23 recipients are scientists, artists, activists and scholars. Each recipient will receive a total of $500,000 over a five-year period and is given complete discretion in how to use the money.
Last week, Spergel received a telephone call from the MacArthur Foundation informing him of his selection. He said that prior to the telephone call he had "heard rumors" he was being considered but that he remained unaware, as the selection process is confidential.
Spergel noted he was quite pleased to have received the MacArthur Fellowship. He said the reality of the fellowship was slowly sinking in as he graciously acknowledged the congratulatory e-mails from present and former colleagues in the past few days.
"David is an extremely versatile and original researcher, and I was delighted that he received the fellowship," said astrophysics chair Scott Tremaine.
"Although being an excellent teacher is not necessarily a criterion for the fellowship, David certainly is one," Tremaine said. "He is the rare combination of innovative research, wonderful teaching and a broad outlook on his profession in general."
During his years at the University, Spergel has investigated the origin of the universe and his groundbreaking work has contributed greatly to current understanding of the Milky Way galaxy.
Spergel is presently studying dark matter, an underresearched substance thought to make up most of the universe but has never been observed.
In addition, Spergel serves as the principal theorist for NASA's Micro-wave Aniso-tropy Probe. Spergel's re-search helped demonstrate how data from the satellite could help to determine the size, energy content and even age of the universe. He has also played an integral part in NASA's efforts to discover and observe planets similar to Earth in other solar systems, one of NASA's largest initiatives of the past two decades.
Tremaine also pointed out that the flexibility of the fellowship is especially valuable.
"Most of the research support from the federal government is directed," Tremaine explained, "so you are pushed to work on certain areas." He said that though research funded in such ways can produce exciting results, "an unrestricted dollar," such as that supplied by the MacArthur Fellowship, "is worth twice as much as a dollar you must spend in a particular direction."
Spergel said he is looking forward to the variety of research that he will be able to conduct with the grant.
"With more funds available, it will just make things easier in general," Spergel said. "Life is busy, and sometimes money can buy time, and that's what this fellowship will help to do."
..."I won't have to spend time cleaning my gutters anymore," he added, chuckling.
...Spergel said the fellowship will prove useful to him in continuing his research at the University and will not alter his current routine of combining research with teaching.
"I don't think it will make a radical change in what I do," Spergel said.
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