User:Wazapas91/sandbox
Gražina Tautvaišienė | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | November 20th, 1958 Kaunas, Lithuania |
| Nationality | Lithuanian |
| Alma mater | Vilnius University |
| Known for | Research on stellar chemical composition and galactic evolution Vice-president at the International Astronomical Union |
| Awards | Lithuanian National Science Prize (2010): For significant contributions to astrophysical research. |
Gražina Tautvaišienė (born 20 November1958) is a Lithuanian professor in astrophysics renowned for her research in stellar astrophysics, particularly in the chemical composition of stars and the evolution of our Milky Way galaxy[1]. She is associated with Vilnius University were she is a Chief Researcher leading the Astrospectroscopy and Exoplanets Group[2]. She has served as the Director of the Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astronomy[3] at and the Director of the Molėtai Astronomical Observatory.
Biography
[edit]Gražina Tautvaišienė was born in Kaunas, Lithuania. She pursued her passion for astronomy at Vilnius University, where she earned her Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in 1982. She then became a Ph.D. student at the Institute of Astronomy and Atmospheric Physics in Tartu University, Estonia, obtaining her Ph.D. in 1988 with a focus on the chemical composition of red giant stars. In 2002, she achieved her Doctor Habilitatus degree in Physical Sciences from the Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astronomy of Vilnius University (ITPA VU).[1]
During her tenure at ITPA VU, Tautvaišienė progressed through various research and leadership roles. She served as Deputy Director from 1998 to 2003 and again from 2013 to 2018. She was the Director of the institute from 2003 to 2013 and resumed the position from 2018 to 2023. As the Head of the Observatory since 2003, she has overseen significant developments in astronomical research and infrastructure
Under her leadership, both Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astronomy and the Molėtai Observatory have expanded their research activities and international collaborations. She has been instrumental in modernising the observatory's facilities and promoting astronomical education and outreach in Lithuania.
Tautvaišienė also contributed to academia as a professor at Vytautas Magnus University, where she was involved in teaching and mentoring students in astrophysics.
Research
[edit]Tautvaišienė's research interests[4] include:
- Stellar Nucleosynthesis: Investigating the processes that create new atomic nuclei within stars.
- Chemical Abundances in Stars: Analyzing stellar spectra to determine elemental compositions.
- Galactic Evolution: Studying the formation and evolution of the Milky Way galaxy through the chemical and kinematic properties of its stellar populations.
- Open Clusters and Stellar Associations: Examining groups of stars to understand stellar and galactic evolution.
She has been involved in several international research projects and collaborations like the Gaia-ESO Survey[5], utilizing data from both ground-based telescopes and space observatories.
International Astronomical Union (IAU)
[edit]Gražina Tautvaišienė is an active member of the International Astronomical Union (IAU). She has served in various capacities within the organization, including participating in commissions and working groups related to stellar astrophysics. In 2024, she was elected as the Vice-President of the International Astronomical Union (IAU), becoming the first scientist from the Baltic States to hold such a prestigious position in the global astronomical community.
Awards and Honors
[edit]- 1994, Prize of the American Astronomical Society
- 1997, NORDITA Baltic NW/Russia Fellowship by the Nordic Council of Ministers
- 2002, Fellowship of The Royal Society, UK
- 2003, National Science Prize of Lithuania
- 2008, Gratitude of Prime Minister of Lithuania
- 2011, Prize of Vilnius University Rector
- 2014, Gratitude of Vilnius University Rector
- 2016, Prize of Vilnius University Rector
- ^ a b "Researcher Profile at the Faculty of Physics of Vilnius University: Gražina Tautvaišienė".
- ^ "AstroSpectroscopy group at the Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astronomy, Vilnius University".
- ^ "Theoretical Physics and Astronomy Institute, Vilnius University".
- ^ "ORCID profile: Gražina Tautvaišienė".
- ^ "The Gaia-ESO Survey: ESO Survey Management Plan" (PDF).