George Rieke

George Rieke is Regents’ Professor of Astronomy and Planetary Sciences at the University of Arizona, serving concurrently as Astronomer at Steward Observatory and Professor at the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory. He has been on the faculty since 1970 and currently leads the science team for the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) aboard the James Webb Space Telescope.

Education

• Ph.D. 1969, Harvard University

Research Interests

Rieke’s work centers on infrared astronomy across scales from planetary systems to distant galaxies. He pioneered studies of ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs) and starburst galaxies, quantified star-formation rates using mid-infrared diagnostics, and revealed the evolution of planetary debris disks around nearby stars. His instrumentation efforts include development of the MIPS instrument for Spitzer and leadership of MIRI on JWST, enabling revolutionary imaging of debris-disk architectures and the interplay between AGN and host-galaxy star formation.

Scientific Awards & Honors

• Member, National Academy of Sciences
• Member, American Academy of Arts and Sciences
• Henry Koffler Prize (2005)
• NASA Public Service Medal (2005)
• Vikram Sarabhai Professorship (1986)
• Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship (1976–1980)
• Smithsonian & NSF Predoctoral Fellowships

Students & Mentoring

Rieke has advised more than 25 Ph.D. and M.S. students in astronomy and planetary sciences since 1978, including Huan Meng (2015), Wiphu Rujopakarn (2012), and Kevin Luhman (1998). His mentoring extends to numerous postdocs and research scientists who continue to shape infrared astronomy worldwide.

Laboratories & Teams

He leads the MIRI science team for JWST and previously served as Principal Investigator for the Multiband Imaging Photometer (MIPS) on the Spitzer Space Telescope. Both instruments have produced flagship surveys of debris disks, star-forming galaxies, and AGN populations.