Canadian Astronomer Profile: Dr. Doug Johnstone

Doug Johnstone

Doug Johnstone, with graduate student Rachel Friesen,
stands before the Parkes Dish Telescope in Australia

Education Background:

• BSc University of Toronto (1989) Physics and Astronomy
• MA University of California Berkeley (1991) Astrophysics
• PhD University of California Berkeley (1995) Astrophysics

• Post Doctoral position, Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (CITA) 1996-1999
• Assistant Professor, Astronomy Dept., University of Toronto 1999-2001

Research Interests:

"My main research interests follow the formation of stars and planetary systems. I began my professional life as a theorist working on the evolution of circumstellar disks around young stars, back before extra-solar planet detections were common. I continue to pursue the problem of how a massive disk of material, deposited around a star during its formation, is converted into planets, accreted onto the central star, and dispersed. Graduate students at both the University of Toronto (Isamu Matsuyama and David Ballantyne) and the University of Victoria (Ian McCarthy and Andrea Font) have joined me on this astrophysical adventure. Along the way we have learned about the destructive power of stellar radiation, the manner in which disks can evaporate due to winds, and the migratory motions of planet orbits.

"While at CITA I became involved in actual observing, learning that traveling to Hawaii in January was a great escape from Toronto winters! I now spend a large fraction of my time working on the formation and evolution of structure in molecular clouds, attempting to disentangle the physical processes through which a molecular cloud sheds into individual stars. I am joined in this journey by two excellent graduate students at the University of Victoria (Rachel Friesen and Helen Kirk), without whom very little work would actually get accomplished."

Professional Accomplishments:

"The highlights of my research career have been:

1) The opportunity to pursue a PhD at Berkeley under the supervision of Frank Shu and David Hollenbach, two of the World leaders in star formation theory.

2) Being asked to present review talks at major international conferences (e.g. Korea, Taiwan, Switzerland, Mexico, USA, and Canada) on both the topics of disk destruction and molecular cloud evolution.

3) Working with top researchers in the world, visiting their institutions,
referring to them as colleagues, and considering them great friends.

4) Mentoring fantastic students, watching them mature as scientists, and eventually leave the nest (Congratulations: Isamu and Ian!).

"The highlights of my outreach career have been:

1) Appearing on the CBC's Quirks and Quarks radio show.

2) Providing science pieces for `Space News' for the Cable channel Space: The Imagination Station.

3) Delivering the CASCA Public Lecture in Penticton.

Why study/work in Canada?

"As an astronomer I travel a great deal and have explored an incredible range of environments around the world. I have studied in the United States, worked with colleagues in Chile and Taiwan, and spend most summers as a visiting astronomer at the Sterrewacht in Leiden, the Netherlands. There are many fantastic places to live and work in the world and yet for me Canada makes the best home. Canadian astronomers are among the best in the world and despite our grumblings, we are reasonably rewarded for our research efforts. There is a nice balance in Canada between the work ethic and the recognition that life is more than one's professional career.

"On a more immediate level, the combination of working for both the National Research Council's Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics (HIA) and the University of Victoria is virtually unbeatable. At HIA I am involved with cutting edge telescope and instrumentation projects such as ALMA, JWST, JCMT, and Gemini, while at the University of Victoria I am able to fulfill my teaching ambitions and I get to work closely with graduate and undergraduate students. There is no way I could maintain my present level of research activity if it weren't for the excellent graduate and undergraduate students that work with me.

"Finally, is there a better place in the world to raise a family than Victoria, British Columbia? From sea to mountain, featuring rugged wilderness, rural farmland, and an attractive coastal urban centre, Victoria provides a relaxed yet bountiful environment. And, you haven't lived until you take a float-plane from Victoria to Vancouver, harbour to harbour."

Interested in becoming an Astronomer?

"I am convinced that there is no better job in the world than being an astronomer. Every day you get to wake up and ask yourself `What do I want to do today?' and just about any answer is part of the job description. I work as an astrophysicist, an astrochemist, and occasionally as an astrobiologist (I have even been known to attempt astrophilosophy!). To achieve success as an astronomer, however, requires real dedication. The journey takes a great deal of effort, a large commitment in time, and some degree of luck. One should make sure that they are as excited by the adventure itself as they are eager for the destination."

Doug Johnstone is one of the many professors taking part in the CASCA-Westar Lectureship Series which brings Canadian astronomers to communities like yours!

Related Links:

• Astronomy as a Career
• Other Canadian Astronomer Profiles
• Notable Canadian Astronomers

   

  compiled by the CASCA education Webteam, (2008)