The Climate Committee of the Department of Astrophysical Sciences has recognized two department members with Equity Prizes for their work within and outside of the department.  The 2024 awardees are Roberto Arevalo Tejada and Charlotte Ward.  We thank them for their dedication to the department and beyond!

Roberto Arevalo Tejada, PhD student, is recognized for promoting equity and inclusion within the department.  Roberto co-organized the AstroJustice seminar in 2020-2021.  AstroJustice was founded as a space for free discussion of social justice issues relevant to the astronomical and academic community, and to the public generally.  Roberto has also mentored undergraduate summer research students, and since Spring 2022, has been an active member—and now co-chair—of the Department’s Mentoring Committee, pairing postdoc and graduate student mentors with graduate and undergraduate mentees, and organizing lectures and career information sessions. 

Charlotte Ward, postdoctoral research associate, is recognized for public outreach.  Charlotte has restarted the Trenton chapter of the Astronomy on Tap series of public lectures.  She has helped to organize and run monthly public observing nights on the Peyton 12-inch telescope, and most recently, she led an outreach event for the partial solar eclipse in April 2024.  She also works with colleagues in the Physics Department to organize a series of talks on DEI themes in the physical sciences.  Through her extensive efforts, Charlotte has made singular contributions to the public face of the Department and of Astronomy generally.

Congratulations and many thanks to Roberto and Charlotte for all you do!