#SoCaltech: Dawn Gelino — Caltech Magazine

“I have attended almost every AAS [American Astronomical Society] meeting since I began graduate school in 1996. Every job I’ve ever had was made possible through networking at the meetings. Many years later, I am the newest vice president of the AAS. The official mission of the AAS is to enhance and share humanity’s scientific understanding of the universe, and now that mission includes creating a diverse and inclusive community. One of my main roles is to serve as an advocate for its members and make the community as inclusive and safe as possible. I want to lower the barriers and cost for all to attend the AAS meetings and will work to choose truly diverse speakers. I get a lot of feedback from the community—people will come to me when they are upset and when they are happy—and I want to help them grow and prosper. I don’t like being in the limelight but like to push from behind and enable the best science.”

Dawn Gelino is a senior staff scientist, deputy director of the NASA Exoplanet Science Institute (NExScI) at Caltech’s IPAC, NASA Hubble Fellowship Program (NHFP) lead, NASA’s Nexus for Exoplanet System Science (NExSS) lead, and one of three vice presidents of AAS. The AAS vice presidents are responsible for the science content of the society’s meetings, serve on the board of trustees, and act as advocates for its members.

#SoCaltech is an occasional series celebrating the diverse individuals who give Caltech its spirit of excellence, ambition, and ingenuity. Know someone we should profile? Send nominations to magazine@caltech.edu.