معرفی
Professor Richard McDermid serves as Dean of the School of Engineering and Director of Australian Astronomical Optics at Macquarie University. He also leads the Macquarie University Astrophysics and Space Technologies Research Centre and the Macquarie Node of the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for All-Sky Astrophysics in 3 Dimensions (ASTRO 3D).
Professor McDermid's research focuses on stellar populations and galaxy dynamics to understand galactic formation and evolution over cosmic time. His work pioneers the combination of orbital dynamical models with chemical and age information of stellar populations, revealing galaxy assembly history and connections to the Milky Way. With over 20 years of experience, he specializes in astronomical research combined with instrumentation development for major optical telescopes.
His recent publications demonstrate strong activity in galaxy formation studies, astronomical instrumentation, and observational techniques. Key themes include stellar populations in galaxies, kinematic sub-structures in edge-on galaxies, and advanced spectroscopic instrumentation development for major observatories worldwide.
Professor McDermid has received numerous prestigious awards including 'high citation' status by Clarivate Web of Science for 2021 and 2022, recognition as the leading national research contributor for astronomy in The Australian's Research Awards 2023, and multiple teaching excellence awards from Macquarie University's Faculty of Science and Engineering. His Royal Astronomical Society Group Achievement Award (2013) further recognizes his collaborative contributions to the field.
Professor McDermid leads an active research group studying galaxy formation and evolution. He has secured significant research funding through numerous projects and serves on important national and international committees including the ARC College of Experts, Australian Academy of Sciences National Committee for Astronomy, and as chair of allocation committees for Australian national and international facilities. His leadership extends to major international research collaborations including SAURON, Atlas3D (co-lead), SAMI, SDSS-IV and MAGPI.
He currently serves as Project Scientist for "MAVIS" - a revolutionary new instrument that will provide near-diffraction limited optical imaging and IFU spectroscopy on the European Southern Observatory (ESO) Very Large Telescope (VLT), and the first VLT facility instrument built by an Australian-led consortium. His previous instrumentation work includes the MUSE IFU (ESO-VLT), OASIS IFU with GLAS LGS-AO (WHT), Hector multi-IFU (AAT), and GHOST high resolution spectrograph (Gemini).
