CASCA establishes Harvey B. Richer Gold Medal

December 13, 2016

The Canadian Astronomical Society (CASCA) has established the Harvey B. Richer Gold Medal for Early Career Research in Astronomy.

Dr. Harvey B. Richer is a Professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of British Columbia. His research work focuses on stellar astronomy, with interest in what resolved systems of stars can tell us about dark matter, the age of the oldest stars, the dynamical evolution of stellar systems, fundamental physics and the formation of galaxies. He was elected to the Royal Society of Canada in 2014, and received the 2014 CASCA Carlyle S. Beals Award.

With the generous gift from Harvey, an early career researcher with significant and sustained contribution will be awarded the medal in odd numbered years.

The nominee will be a member of CASCA, and a Canadian astronomer or an astronomer working in Canada. The candidate will normally have received their Ph.D. within the previous ten years; allowances will be made for extended leaves of up to two years (e.g. maternity or paternity leaves, medical leaves, etc.) Nominations for the 2017 Richer Medal are solicited at this time and can be tended until 15 January 2017. Details can be found on the Richer Medal page on the CASCA website

In May 2017, CASCA will present the inaugural Richer Medal at the society’s annual meeting in Edmonton.

To learn more about Harvey's work, visit his research website