AUT Professor awarded 2024 Thomson Medal
Royal Society Te Apārangi has awarded Professor Sergei Gulyaev the Thomson Medal—recognising outstanding contributions to the organisation, support and application of science and technology—for his leadership and contributions to radio astronomy, science education, and international collaboration.
In 2004, Sergei established the Institute of Radio Astronomy and Space Research at Auckland University of Technology (originally named the Centre for Radio Astronomy and Space Research). The institute's scientists have consistently published their findings in prestigious journals such as Nature and Science, demonstrating the institute's significant impact on the global scientific community.
In 2005, Sergei founded the Warkworth Radio Astronomy Observatory and was the director of it up until 2023. The observatory is a major asset for New Zealand science, and complements the facilities for optical astronomy provided by the University of Canterbury at Mt John.
Sergei's leadership was instrumental in securing external grants and in-kind contributions totalling $4 million, as well as acquiring a telecommunications antenna from Spark for the unique conversion of a telecommunications antenna into a radio telescope with major flow-on benefits for astronomy and astrophysics.
Under Sergei's leadership, the observatory's 12-m and 30-m radio telescopes conducted 24,000 hours of observations, which serve as the basis for global mapping, positioning, and space navigation, including the maintenance of GPS systems.
The observatory has played important roles in Earth science by supporting the International Celestial and Terrestrial Reference Frames (important for studies in plate tectonics), in Very Long Baseline Interferometry studies in collaboration with overseas radio observatories (for high resolution studies of radio sources) and for space satellite communications in collaboration with agencies such as SpaceX and NASA (USA), ESA (Europe) and JAXA (Japan).
The development of the Warkworth observatory in 2005 was particularly timely because Australia was in the process of making a commitment in that year to developing a bid to host the very ambitious international Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project. Sergei was determined to ensure that New Zealand, with its southern latitude geographic position and very favourable conditions for radio astronomy, was able to make a distinctive contribution to Australia’s SKA project from the outset.
Sergei's efforts ensured the observatory's survival in 2022, preserving its pivotal role in scientific research and education.
Through active research collaborations with dozens research institutes and observatories worldwide, Sergei has fostered a culture of collaboration and excellence, further enhancing the observatory's reputation as an irreplaceable facility in radio astronomy and space research.
Sergei's efforts have also enriched science education in New Zealand. He established the Astronomy and Space Science Major and Minor in the country's university sector, providing students with invaluable hands-on learning experiences at the observatory.
In awarding this medal, the selection committee commended Sergei’s visionary leadership, unwavering dedication, and unparalleled contributions to science and education.
Sergei has been a member of MBIE’s Radio Spectrum Management since 2006, a senior Member of the International Union of Radio Science since 2006, a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (London) since 1996, and has played a major role in the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand since 2008.
“On receiving this medal, Sergei said he was “deeply honored” to receive this recognition from Royal Society Te Apārangi.
“This achievement is the result of collaborative effort and the immense support I’ve received over the years from my university, the New Zealand government, and colleagues in radio astronomy and space geodesy both here and worldwide.
“I would especially like to acknowledge late Sir Ian Axford, whose vision and unwavering support were instrumental in advancing radio astronomy for New Zealand and beyond.
“The world-class radio telescope facilities we’ve developed are a testament to the dedication and unique expertise of New Zealand’s scientists and engineers—Kiwi ingenuity—complemented by invaluable contributions from international colleagues.
“I am also grateful for the opportunity to foster university education in Astronomy and Space Science here in New Zealand, with thanks to the University of Canterbury for their longstanding leadership in this field and their support of our programmes at AUT."
Thomson Medal
The Thomson Medal is awarded annually for outstanding contributions to the organisation, support, and application of science, technology or the humanities.
Citation:
To Sergei Gulyaev for his leadership and contributions to radio astronomy, science education, and international collaboration.