Christopher Hirata
Ohio State University
2018 New Horizons in Physics Prize
For fundamental contributions to understanding the physics of early galaxy formation and to sharpening and applying the most powerful tools of precision cosmology.
Comments
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the people who have been so influential in my career. I’d like to thank my teachers in Illinois and then in California, who went above and beyond to provide me with opportunities. I have been privileged to work with so many other scientists and engineers: my mentors, my students and postdocs, and the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope teams. Every one of you has taught me something unique and valuable. I’d like to thank the staff at OSU, who do so much invisible work that is critical to our research program. I’d like to thank the general public for supporting basic research and recognizing its long-term importance to humanity. Finally, and most importantly, I would like to thank my family. My parents, Terese and Richard, have always supported and encouraged me. My wife Annika has been my partner in both life and science for 15 years. And a special thank you goes to my son Sebastian, who brightens every day.
