Douglas C. B. Whittet

Education

• 1975 - Ph.D. (Astronomy), University of St Andrews
• 1971 - M.Sc. (Radio Astronomy), University of Manchester
• 1970 - B.Sc. Hons. (Physics), University of St Andrews

Professional Career

• Since 1994 - Professor of Physics, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• 1991/94 - Associate Professor of Physics, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• 1980/90 - Senior Lecturer and Professor of Astronomy, Lancashire Polytechnic
• 1978/80 - Post-doctoral Research Associate, University College, London
• 1975/77 - Post-doctoral Research Associate, University of St Andrews

Visiting Positions

• 1989/92 - Visiting Astronomer, Space Research Organization of the Netherlands and Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, University of Groningen
• 1988/89 - Visiting Professor, Physics Department, York University, Toronto, and Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics, University of Toronto

Professional Activities and Awards

• Rensselaer Alumni Association Teacher of the Year (2002)
• Member, Scientific Organizing Committee, Symposium "The Astrophysics of Dust" (2002/03)
• Associate Director, New York Center for Studies of the Origins of Life (since 1998)
• Principal Investigator, NASA Exobiology/NSCORT Program (since 1998)
• Member of Editorial Board, Origins of Life and Evolution of the Biosphere (since 1997)
• Guest Investigator, European Space Agency, Infrared Space Observatory Guaranteed Time (1990/97)
• Principal Investigator, NASA Long-Term Space Astrophysics Program (1992/97)
• Chair, Scientific Organizing Committee, Symposium "Polarimetry of the Interstellar Medium" (1995)
  

Professional Affiliations

• Since 1993 - Member of the International Society for the Study of the Origin of Life
• Since 1992 - Member of the American Astronomical Society
• Since 1992 - Member of the American Institute of Physics
• Since 1979 - Member of the International Astronomical Union
• Since 1973 - Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society

Publications

• Book: Dust in the Galactic Environment (2nd Ed.) Institute of Physics Graduate Series in Astronomy.
• Book edited: Planetary and Interstellar Processes Relevant to the Origins of Life, Kluwer.
• Conference proceedings edited: Polarimetry of the Interstellar Medium, (with W. Roberge), Astronomical Society of the Pacific.
• Over 160 research papers in refereed journals.
• Over 20 invited review papers.
• Over 60 contributed conference papers.