Message from Dean Carmie Garzione - April 2025

Today
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Dear College of Science community,

As we near the homestretch of the spring semester, I am pleased to share recent achievements and awards that reflect the talent and dedication of the students, faculty, staff, and researchers in the College of Science.

Celebrating the 2025 Galileo Circle Award Recipients

Each year, the Galileo Circle Awards recognize six exceptional faculty, staff, and postdoctoral scholars in the College of Science. These awards represent one of the highest honors the college can bestow, and they are made possible through the generosity of Galileo Circle members.

Please join me in congratulating this year’s honorees:

  • 2025 Galileo Circle Fellow
    • George Rieke, Regents Professor, Astronomy and Steward Observatory
  • 2025 Galileo Circle Curie Awardees
    • Kate Alexander, Assistant Professor, Astronomy and Steward Observatory
    • George Sutphin, Assistant Professor, Molecular and Cellular Biology
  • 2025 Galileo Circle Copernicus Awardees
    • Alex Burant, Assistant Professor of Practice, Physics
    • Emily Dykstra, Assistant Director, Introductory Biology Laboratory, Molecular and Cellular Biology
  • 2025 Galileo Circle Postdoc Awardee
    • Mark Sundman, Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Brain Imaging and TMS Laboratory, Psychology

Elena Plante Awarded Inaugural Rieke Prize

Dr. Elena Plante, Professor in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, has been awarded the first-ever Rieke Prize. This prestigious award, generously established by Regents Professors George and Marcia Rieke, honors outstanding faculty whose research has had a transformative impact in their field.

Dr. Plante’s career spans over 30 years of pioneering research in developmental language disorder. Her work, supported by continuous funding from national health and education institutes, has advanced our understanding of the neural and cognitive mechanisms underlying language development and improved methods for diagnosis and intervention. Her leadership and service in the field of speech-language pathology reflect a deep commitment to science and community, and we are greatly appreciative of her many years of impact at the University of Arizona.

Dennis Zaritsky Named Regents Professor

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Dennis Zaritsky in Astronomy & Steward Observatory on being named a Regents Professor, the highest faculty rank in the Arizona university system. Dr. Zaritsky is internationally recognized for his contributions to observational astronomy, particularly in mapping galaxy structure and investigating the nature of dark matter.

Dr. Zaritsky’s groundbreaking work includes co-authoring one of the most cited papers demonstrating the existence of dark matter and producing the first detailed maps of stars and dust in the Magellanic Clouds. He has also been honored with the 2024 Beatrice M. Tinsley Prize, the Newton Lacy Pierce Prize, and a Guggenheim Fellowship. His leadership at Steward Observatory and with the Giant Magellan Telescope has helped shape the future of astronomical research.

The recognitions and accolades you will read throughout this month's newsletter reflect the excellence that permeates every department within the College of Science. I am inspired every day by the impact our community makes across campus and around the world. Thank you for all you do to support and sustain this extraordinary work.

Bear Down!

Carmie Garzione
Dean, College of Science