Gabriela Calistro Rivera of the European Southern Observatory, Munich, and Anupam Bhardwaj of the Kavli Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Beijing, have been awarded the Gruber Foundation Fellowships for 2020.

Each year, The Gruber Foundation, in collaboration with the International Astronomical Union (IAU), funds a US$50 000 fellowship for promising young astronomers. As in previous years, the evaluation panel has decided to award the fellowship jointly to two outstanding candidates, each of whom will receive US$25 000.

Gabriela Calistro Rivera is focusing her postdoctoral research on the role of molecular gas in active galactic nuclei (AGN) activity and galaxy evolution. She also plans to use a portion of the fellowship support for astronomy outreach activities. “It is a great honour for me to be awarded this prestigious Fellowship. I feel most grateful to the IAU and the Gruber Foundation for valuing the achievements of my scientific career so far. This award will support my future research endeavours in the field of galaxy and black hole evolution, and it will boost my ongoing outreach and education efforts to promote scientific literacy in communities currently underrepresented in astronomy.”

Anupam Bhardwaj is currently investigating pulsating stars as a means to develop a better understanding of stellar evolution and cosmic expansion. “I am extremely proud and honoured to have been awarded the Gruber Foundation Fellowship 2020. This prestigious fellowship is a huge boost for my fledgling research career. In particular, it will support me in strengthening international collaborations in which I am involved, and ensure the successful development of my research projects. It has given me the confidence and motivation to continue making significant scientific contributions in my research fields." 

“It is very rewarding that the IAU is able to recognise such bright young astronomers through this partnership with The Gruber Foundation,” says Teresa Lago, IAU General Secretary. “Supporting the future leaders of astronomical research through programmes such as this is key to promoting a thriving astronomy community for years to come.”

More information

The IAU is the international astronomical organisation that brings together more than 13 500 professional astronomers from more than 100 countries worldwide. Its mission is to promote and safeguard astronomy in all its aspects, including research, communication, education and development, through international cooperation. The IAU also serves as the internationally recognised authority for assigning designations to celestial bodies and the surface features on them. Founded in 1919, the IAU is the world's largest professional body for astronomers.

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Lars Lindberg Christensen
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Tel: +49 89 320 06 761
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Email: lars@eso.org