For two decades, Honolulu ARCS Scholar alumna Heidi Hammel helped guide development of the James Webb Space Telescope, determined that it be as good of tool for the next generation of space scientists as the Hubble Space Telescope had been for her as a postdoc.
The Association for Universities for Research in Astronomy vice president for science is one of six science advisors on the space tlescope, which launched Christmas Day 2021 and began tranmitting images in July. In a special live online presentation hosted by ARCS Honolulu Chapter and co-sponsored by the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa's Institute for Astronomy, Dr. Hammel reflects on JWST's importance and what it means for her own research and our understanding of the universe.
"Hubble gave us high school yearbook pictures of the universe; Webb is giving us the baby pictures. It is by putting them all together that we try to understand how the universe formed and evolved to where we are today." Only half of the important science thus far generated by Hubble was planned prior to launch, she notes. Now astronomers find themselves "on the edge of a firehose" of data with JWST and just getting started. "I don't even know what the most amazing science is going to be," she says. "It's a new era of astronomy starting now. I don't know where it is going to lead, but it is quite an amazing ride and I'm so thrilled to be a part of it. Thank you ARCS for helping me when I was a young student in Honolulu."
To Quote a Scholar: Benjamin Wiseman
"I hustle to make sure that my expenses are covered, often working part-time jobs to make ends meet. Receiving this award means that I can place greater focus on my academic research work."
2024 Helen Jones Farrar ARCS Scholar Ben Wiseman quantifies nematodes to study soil health and explores new cover crops as an effective, sustainable way to control the pest in sweet potato fields.
Scholar Alumna Pays it Forward
“ARCS Honolulu Chapter provided recognition that my efforts and education were a worthwhile investment at a time when others could see little future for me.”
1976 Honolulu ARCS Scholar and Tampa Chapter member Pamela Hallock Muller was named one of 25 Top Women Professors in Florida. The University of South Florida marine scientist overcame gender discrimination and has mentored 60 graduate students, 10 of them from underrepresented minorities.
Science Communicator Christie Wilcox Tells it Like It Is
Christie Wilcox, PhD, on her Honolulu ARCS Scholar Award: "The life of a graduate student is not enviable… For me, it was essential. It was what I needed, the kind of funding to pursue these curiosities that I had. And I was grateful for it.” Read more about the the award winning science communicator.