West Virginia University is seeing stars over one of its outstanding astronomers.
Maura McLaughlin, the Eberly Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences.
It’s a rarity and an honor. McLaughlin is the first WVU faculty member elected to the academy.
McLaughlin’s selection was one of 120 announced this week by the academy — bringing its total number of active members to 2,617. The National Academy of Sciences is a private, non-profit society of distinguished scholars. Scientists are elected by their peers to membership in the academy for outstanding contributions to research.
“This is a really big deal,” said Fred King, vice president for research at West Virginia University, in a telephone interview. “It’s recognition of Maura’s work in astrophysics.”
He continued, “It’s a fairly small group of individuals. It’s a very selective group that’s self-elected, and they represent truly the people who are the leaders in physics, science, engineering and medicine.”
McLaughlin has a long track record of scientific contribution but made international news last year because of a 15-year effort producing evidence of low-frequency gravitational waves pushing and pulling on the universe. Essentially, over many years the study focused on how gravitational forces in space affected pulsars.
Also last year, McLaughlin and her husband, WVU physics professor Duncan Lorimer, received the Shaw Prize for “distinguished and significant advances” — specifically the discovery of fast radio bursts. The Shaw Prize’s annual awards in astronomy, life science and medicine, and mathematical sciences honor “exceptional individuals who have made groundbreaking contributions.”
“It’s a really exciting day for the university, it’s a first for us, and it’s a great day for West Virginia because a key part of what they do is work with folks at Greenbank Observatory,” King said of McLaughlin and Lorimer.
“And that, in part, has led them to move to West Virginia, live here for the last 20 years, so it’s a great day not just for the university but for the state as well.”
King said honors from WVU for McLaughlin are still taking shape. Right now, the university is appreciating the designation from the National Academy of Sciences just announced this week.
“It’s a great way to end the spring semester and the year for WVU,” he said.
Roger Hanshaw, speaker of the House of Delegates, applauded the honor in a statement today. Hanshaw, R-Clay, has a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Notre Dame.
“Our state is home to a lot of exceptional people, but with the news that one of our own has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences, West Virginia truly has reached an impressive benchmark through WVU astrophysicist Maura McLaughlin,” Hanshaw said.
“I know most people aren’t proud science geeks like I am, so I want to lead us all in standing up to cheer for this recognition of Dr. McLaughlin and her research in neutron stars and their environments. Only 2,617 people have achieved this honor, and it’s something every West Virginian should be proud to now say one of our own has achieved.”