Roger Ulrich Awarded 2022 Kavli Prize in Astrophysics

Past Member Roger Ulrich (1975) has been named a winner of the 2022 Kavli Prize in Astrophysics. He is cited, along with Conny Aerts and Jørgen Christensen-Dalsgaard, for “pioneering work and leadership in the development of helioseismology and asteroseismology.”

Ulrich, a leader in his field who has made several groundbreaking advancements, was the first to make precise measurements of the characteristics of the interior of the sun through observations of the oscillations on the solar surface. 

Recognized by the Kavli Committee for his theoretical contributions, he has also had a major impact on observational projects, specifically making improvements to the Mount Wilson Observatory near Pasadena, where he made the first observation and identification of Alfven waves on the solar surface.

Since receiving his Ph.D. in Astronomy from University of California, Berkeley, he has spent almost his entire career as a professor at University of California, Los Angeles. In 2002, he received the U.S. National Academy of Science Arctowski Medal. 

The Kavli Prize honors scientists making breakthroughs in astrophysics, nanoscience, and neuroscience. This year, the prize recognized pioneering science in helioseismology and asteroseismology, self-assembled monolayers on solid substrates and molecular-scale coatings to control surface properties, and the discovery of genes underlying a range of serious brain disorders. 

“This award is quite a surprise and an honor,” Ulrich said.