Biography:
Claudia Megan Urry, more commonly known as Meg Urry, is an accomplished American astrophysicist who has made significant contributions to the field of astronomy. She has served as the President of the American Astronomical Society, chaired the Department of Physics at Yale University, and made substantial contributions to the faculty of the Hubble Space Telescope. Urry currently holds the prestigious position of Israel Munson Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Yale University, in addition to being the Director of the Yale Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics.
Urry’s career accomplishments extend beyond her research and academic roles. She is also recognized for her dedication to addressing sexism and promoting gender equality in astronomy, science, and academia as a whole. Urry’s commitment to this cause has been influential in breaking down barriers for women in the field.
Born and raised in Indiana and Massachusetts, Urry embarked on her educational journey at Tufts University, where she double-majored in mathematics and physics. In 1977, she graduated Phi Beta Kappa and received the esteemed N. Hopes Knight Award for Physics. It was during her junior year at Tufts that Urry developed a keen interest in astronomy while interning at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory.
Urry went on to pursue higher education, obtaining an M.S. in physics in 1979, followed by a Ph.D. in 1984, both from Johns Hopkins University. Throughout her doctoral studies, Urry focused on studying blazars at the Goddard Space Flight Center under the guidance of Richard Mushotzky. After completing her Ph.D., she conducted post-doctoral research at M.I.T.’s Center for Space Research, working alongside Claude Canizares. She further honed her expertise during another post-doctoral term at the Space Telescope Science Institute. In 1990, Urry was appointed as a full-time astronomer at the Institute, solidifying her position in the field.
In 2001, Urry joined the faculty at Yale University, becoming the sole woman in the Physics Department at that time. Her exceptional contributions to the field were recognized when she served as Chair of the Yale Physics Department from 2007 to 2013. Urry’s impact transcends her institutional roles, as she also held key positions in the Presidential line of the American Astronomical Society from 2013 to 2017, including President-Elect, President, and Past President.
Urry’s efforts to tackle gender inequality in astronomy and academia have been substantial. She has delivered over 60 talks on the subject, including at the Conferences for Undergraduate Women in Physics (CUWiP). In 1992, Urry and Laura Danly co-organized the first meeting of Women in Astronomy, which led to the creation of the Baltimore Charter. This charter, initially drafted by Sheila Tobias, was eventually endorsed by the Council of the American Astronomical Society. Urry also dedicated her tenure as President of the American Astronomical Society to addressing and reducing the prevalence of sexual harassment within the field.
Urry’s contributions and activism have not gone unnoticed, as she has received several awards and honors throughout her career. In 2010, she was honored with the Women in Space Science Award from the Adler Planetarium. Additionally, in 2015, she received the Edward A. Bouchet Leadership award from Yale University, further solidifying her contributions to the advancement of women in science.
Throughout her career, Urry has published over 330 papers in refereed journals, solidifying her impact on the field of astrophysics. Her work has reached international acclaim, with one of her reviews being cited as one of the most highly cited in the field.
Meg Urry’s dedication to her scientific research, her impact on promoting gender equality, and her substantial contributions to the field of astrophysics have undoubtedly made her a significant figure in women’s history and a beacon for aspiring scientists. Her journey continues to inspire and shape the landscape for women in STEM fields today.
Awards:
– Women in Space Science Award from the Adler Planetarium (2010)
– Edward A. Bouchet Leadership Award from Yale University (2015)