Hawaii Island astronomer Doug Simons has been named as the new director of the University of Hawaii's Institute for Astronomy, or IfA, school officials announced on Monday.
Simons' new role, which is subject to the formal posting on the agenda of the UH Board of Regents’ April 15 meeting, will begin on Sept. 1. Simons has worked on Maunakea since 1990 after he earned his doctorate from the Institute for Astronomy and has been the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope executive director since 2012.
Prior to that he was the Gemini Observatory director from 2006 to 2011.
"Returning to the IfA, where I received a fabulous education, brings me full circle. It is an honor to be chosen to lead an institution so well established globally in astronomical research, education and technology innovation,” Simons said in a statement. “Among my goals is to broaden IfA’s impact outside of astronomy, creating a department that is an example worldwide of the potential arising from collaborative efforts between science and culture, each being enriched in ways we do not currently imagine.”
Simons is credited for having led the establishment of the Maunakea Scholars program, an only-in-Hawaii collaboration, where public high school students can apply for observing time across the Maunakea Observatories for their own independent research proposals and be mentored by IfA graduate students. He also helped found A Hua He Inoa, a program where Hawaiian speaking students and educators work with language experts and Hawaii-based astronomers to create names in olelo Hawaii for astronomical discoveries made in Hawaii.
Simons served on the volunteer Maunakea Management Board, Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce and Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce. He was also named as an honoree in Pacific Business News' 2019 Business Leadership Hawaii awards.
“Doug Simons is the leader IfA needs as Hawaii navigates through a pivotal period for the future of astronomy,” said UH President David Lassner, in a statement. “Doug is highly accomplished and respected as a leader in the astronomy community and he has proven his commitment to honest and consistent community and educational outreach.”
