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Biography
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PeopleInstitutionsResources
Archival as AuthorArchival as SubjectPublished as SubjectBrian Schmidt
Dates
February 24, 1967 – present
Authorized Form of Name
Schmidt, Brian, 1967-
Biography
Abstract
Brian P. Schmidt was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2011 alongside Saul Perlmutter and Adam G. Riess "for the discovery of the accelerating expansion of the Universe through observations of distant supernovae." Schmidt's breakthrough dark energy discoveries were made with the High-Z Supernova Search Team, which he co-created and lead. He has spent the majority of his career thus-far at Australian National University, where he has worked as researcher, professor, and vice-chancellor.
Important Dates
February 24, 1967Birth, Missoula (Mont.).
1989Obtained BSc in Physics and Astronomy, University of Arizona, Tucson (Ariz.).
1992Obtained MA in Astronomy, Harvard University, Cambridge (Mass.).
1993Obtained PhD in Astonomy, Harvard University, Cambridge (Mass.).
1993Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge (Mass.).
1994Formed and lead the High-Z Supernova Search Team, Cambridge (Mass.).
1995Post-Doctoral fellowship, Mount Stromlo Observatory; Professor, Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics (2010-2016); and Vice-Chancellor (2016-), Australian National University, Canberra (A.C.T.).
1998High-Z Supernova Search Team's discovery is named Science Magazine's "Breakthrough of the Year".
1998High-Z Supernova Search Team discovers the expansion of the Universe.
2000Awarded the Bok Prize, Harvard University.
2000Awarded the Malcolm McIntosh award for achievement in the Physical Sciences by the Australian government.
2001Awarded the Pawsey Medal, Australian Academy of Sciences.
2002Awarded the Vainu Bappu Medal, Astronomical Society of India.
2005Awarded an Australian Research Council Fellowship.
2006Awarded the Shaw Prize for Astronomy.
2007Awarded the Gruber Prize for Cosmology.
2011Awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics alongside Saul Perlmutter and Adam G. Riess "for the discovery of the accelerating expansion of the Universe through observations of distant supernovae".
2012Fellow, Royal Society.
2013Named Companion of the Order of Australia.
2015Awarded the Breakthrough Prize in Physics.
Occupation
Astrophysicist.
Places
Birth
Undergraduate Education
Graduate Education
Employment
Subjects
Relationships
People
Family
Gordon, Jennifer M.
Wife.
Advisors & Collaborators
Kirshner, Robert P., 1949-
PhD advisor at Harvard University and member of the High-z Supernova Search Team.
Shared the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics along with Adam Riess "for the discovery of the accelerating expansion of the Universe through observations of distant supernovae."
Shared the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics along with Saul Perlmutter "for the discovery of the accelerating expansion of the Universe through observations of distant supernovae," and member of the High-z Supernova Search Team
Suntzeff, Nicholas B. (Nicholas Boris)
Co-creator and member of the High-z Supernova Search Team.
Colleagues
Challis, Peter
Member of the High-z Supernova Search Team.
Clocchiatti, Alejandro
Member of the High-z Supernova Search Team.
Filippenko, Alexei V.
Member of the High-z Supernova Search Team.
Garnavich, Peter M.
Member of the High-z Supernova Search Team.
Gilliland, Ronald L.
Member of the High-z Supernova Search Team.
Hogan, Craig J.
Member of the High-z Supernova Search Team.
Jha, Saurabh
Member of the High-z Supernova Search Team.
Leibundgut, B. (Bruno)
Member of the High-z Supernova Search Team.
Phillips, Mark M.
Member of the High-z Supernova Search Team.
Reiss, David
Member of the High-z Supernova Search Team.
Schommer, Robert A.
Member of the High-z Supernova Search Team.
Smith, R. Chris
Member of the High-z Supernova Search Team.
Spyromilio, Jason
Member of the High-z Supernova Search Team.
Member of the High-z Supernova Search Team.
Tonry, John L.
Member of the High-z Supernova Search Team.
Institutions
Major Positions
Australian National University
Vice-Chancellor.
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Post-Doctoral Fellow.
Mount Stromlo Observatory
Post-Doctoral Research Fellow and Professor, Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics.
Professional Activities & Affiliations
American Association for the Advancement of Science
Schmidt and the High-z Supernova Search Team's discovery was named Breakthrough of the Year by Science Magazine (1998).
Astronomical Society of India
Awarded the Vainu Bappu Medal (2002).
Australian Academy of Science
Awarded the Pawsey Medal (2001).
Australian Research Council
Fellow.
Harvard University. Department of Astronomy
Received MA (1992) and PhD in Astonomy (1993). Awarded the Bok Prize (2000).
High-Z Supernova Search Team
Co-creator and Leader.
Royal Society (Great Britain)
Fellow.
The Gruber Foundation
Awarded the Gruber Prize for Cosmology (2007).
The Shaw Prize Foundation
Awarded the Shaw Prize for Astronomy (2006).
University of Arizona. Department of Physics
Received BSc in Physics and Astronomy (1989).
Resources
Archival Resources
Author
Oral history interview with Brian Schmidt, 2007 July 24 and 25.
Niels Bohr Library & Archives
American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Papers appearing in The Astronomical Journal and The Astrophysical Journal presenting research ultimately recognized by the awarding of the 2011 Nobel Prize in physics, 2011 December 1.
Niels Bohr Library & Archives
American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Subject
Niels Bohr Library & Archives
American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Published Resources
Subject
Australian National University Brian Schmidt profile and biography.
Brian P. Schmidt personal website.
Brian Schmidt Nobel Prize biographical facts.
Gruber Prize Foundation: Brian Schmidt & the High-z Supernova Search Team.