Meet the folks of our neighborhood. Study extra in regards to the path to our area, inspiration of for this specialization, and efforts to advance our understanding of the universe.
Present Interview
Interview with Dr. Farid Salama
Farid Salama is an Astrophysicist within the Area Science and Astrobiology Division at NASA Ames Analysis Heart. His present analysis is centered across the examine of interstellar, planetary and exoplanetary molecules and ions within the laboratory and the formation of grains and aerosols from molecular precursors in astrophysically related environments.
How did you get into Lab Astro analysis? Are you able to inform us about your profession path?
I acquired into lab astro analysis by coincidence. I had not been concerned in astronomy and astrophysics earlier than. My background was in Molecular Physics and Bodily Chemistry engaged on molecules and molecular ions. After I graduated from my PhD, I utilized for a postdoc and acquired two presents for positions in Northern California.
One supply was in UC Berkeley, on the Lawrence Berkeley Lab (LBL) within the laboratory of Prof. Pimentel who had developed the strategy of Matrix Isolation Spectroscopy (MIS) to work with Heinz Frei on using laser response excitation spectroscopy as a instrument to find extraordinarily weak vibronic transitions that may be activated by near-infrared photons. The objective of the analysis venture was to determine molecules that may supply a strategy to accomplish new chemical synthesis with long-wavelength near-infrared photo voltaic photons.
The second supply was a Nationwide Analysis Council (NRC) fellowship to work at NASA Ames with Lou Allamandola who was simply organising a brand new IR Lab Astro Laboratory within the Area Science Division to assist the NASA Kuiper Airborne Observatory (KAO). That is the place I acquired uncovered to Laboratory Astrophysics for the primary time with the chance to work on Jupiter’s moon, Io. My core venture, nevertheless, was to arrange a Lab Astro Laboratory within the UV-Seen vary utilizing my expertise with MIS and VUV spectroscopy. I discovered this multidisciplinary work fascinating, and I made a decision to proceed working on this area. As well as, having constructed and arrange a brand new experimental system I used to be eager to work and carry out analysis with this new instrument near my coronary heart.
Briefly, my profession path is as follows: graduate scholar and PhD in molecular physics on the College of Paris-Orsay and the Pierre & Marie Curie Institute in Paris, adopted as postdoc on the LBL, UC Berkeley, and, since then, labored within the Astrophysics department of the Area Science Division at NASA Ames first as a NRC fellow, then as a UC Berkeley Astronomy analysis assistant, SETI PI and eventually as a NASA civil servant. I’m at the moment the Director of the COSmIC Facility the place I’ve had the pleasure to work with a incredible crew of younger and seasoned scientists and engineering technicians over the previous years who helped make it attainable to construct this actually distinctive laboratory facility.
What impressed you to change into a scientist? Which scientist had the most important impression in your analysis or impressed you?
I used to be initially not contemplating going into analysis and changing into a scientist. I used to be suggested and inspired by my college Professors to transcend the Grasp and check out a one-year postgraduate diploma for superior research (DEA in France). I ended up deciding on a venture, among the many many I had been introduced with, that was based mostly on molecular spectroscopy utilizing the MIS method. This was the primary time I used to be confronted with analysis, and I discovered that I used to be really very keen on persevering with on this course.
Many scientists I met throughout my profession had a big impression on my analysis and impressed me. In science we construct ourselves on the data and expertise of the scientists who preceded us. Because the saying goes: “We stand on the shoulders of the giants that preceded us”. To quote just a few, these embody my thesis adviser, Janine Fournier, who guided me in my first publicity to a analysis lab, Antoine Fournier, the Director of the Lab, who was an unconventional scientist who taught me quite a bit too. The discussions I had with Sidney Leach who was main the Molecular Photophysics Laboratory in Orsay had additionally a powerful impression on my profession decisions. Once I moved to the US and began my profession as a researcher, the late George Pimentel in UC Berkeley, Lou Allamandola and Xander Tielens at NASA Ames are among the many researchers who impressed me quite a bit.
I used to be additionally fairly impressed by the late Giacinto Scoles, a Professor in Princeton and a pioneer within the examine of intermolecular forces whom I met as a PhD scholar visiting the College of Waterloo in Canada in 1985 throughout my postgraduate research. I occurred to attend a seminar he gave on the college the place he inspired younger college students and early profession scientists to decide on a subject that attracted them no matter its present reputation or conceived significance and to work exhausting till changing into a world knowledgeable within the topic subject. His recommendation was that this strategy helped science. His recommendation struck me as price following and my profession and expertise confirmed me how right his recommendation was.
What’s your present analysis about? What motivates you in your analysis? What do you get pleasure from essentially the most about your analysis?
My analysis facilities on molecular spectroscopy and mass spectrometry within the areas of laboratory astrophysics and astrochemistry along with ground-based and space-based ultraviolet, optical and infrared astronomy (Diffuse Interstellar Bands (DIBs) and Fragrant Infrared Bands (AIBs) in galactic and extragalactic environments; planetary ices; planetary and exoplanetary atmospheres, …).
What motivates me in my analysis is to extend our data and strengthen our understanding of the composition of the supplies that encompass us (interstellar clouds, circumstellar environments, planets, planetary atmospheres, exoplanets, comets…). I’m additionally pushed by the curiosity of figuring out parts which can be ubiquitous in area such because the a whole lot of absorption bands within the seen and the emission bands within the IR.
What do you take into account to be your biggest achievement in your analysis? What impression has your analysis had within the area?
I take into account the design and improvement of the Cosmic Simulation Chamber (COSmIC) to generate laboratory analogs of interstellar, circumstellar, planetary and exoplanetary molecules, ions and grains as my biggest achievement. This distinctive facility has had a powerful impression in interstellar and circumstellar astrophysics, planetary and exoplanetary research and has allowed breakthroughs reminiscent of the primary survey of DIBs in translucent clouds for PAH signatures, the formation of circumstellar grain analogs within the laboratory, and the measurements of planetary and exoplanetary haze molecules and aerosols.
The COSmIC Facility impression was acknowledged with a NASA Award for “recognition of the distinctive and distinctive contribution to astrophysics and planetary advances.
How has the sector advanced because you began your profession in Lab Astro? What function did you play in it?
The sphere of Lab Astro has largely advanced since I began my profession and continues to evolve at a formidable tempo. Due to its multidisciplinary side and the requirement to deal with issues and points which can be past the present stage of information in elementary science (physics, chemistry, …), Laboratory Astrophysics is constantly challenged to push the boundaries of science. The invention of a brand new type of carbon (C60 fullerene) that resulted from a laboratory examine of potential carriers of the Diffuse Interstellar Bands led to a Nobel prize for the researchers and is a sworn statement to the sturdy impression of Laboratory Astrophysics on fundamental sciences.
The function I’ve been taking part in in Lab Astro has had varied parts: direct contribution to science outcomes, management and mentorship as laboratory director and advocacy for the sector.
Relating to the science side, I contributed to a greater data of the spectra of PAH ions by offering the primary spectroscopic knowledge on the digital spectra of remoted PAHs molecules and ions measured with COSmIC below astrophysically related circumstances that led to the primary survey of PAHs within the search of Diffuse Interstellar Bands in galactic and extragalactic environments. I additionally contributed to the formation of laboratory analogs of circumstellar carbon grain with COSmIC. I additionally contributed to the primary outcomes on planetary ices on Io (Jupiter’s moon) for comparability with infrared airborne knowledge in addition to the formation of laboratory analogs of planetary aerosols with COSmIC for a greater understanding of Titan’s (Saturn/s moon) and different planetary hazes. I additionally participated to the ORGANIC experiments on the multi-user facility EXPOSE-R on the Worldwide Area Station the place I investigated the chemical evolution, survival, destruction, and chemical modification of PAHs and fullerenes in area.
Relating to the science advocacy side, I performed a key function within the institution of laboratory astrophysics as a acknowledged and very important area of science. I’m a co-founder of the Laboratory Astrophysics Division of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) launched in 2012, and I helped discovered the Astrochemistry sub-commission of the American Chemical Society subsequently launched. I additionally based the Worldwide Astronomical Union (IAU) Laboratory Astrophysics Fee. In each instances, I performed a number one function, as Chair of the AAS LAD Division and first President of the IAU Fee.
Which open query in Lab Astro would you wish to see answered within the close to future?
I wish to see a full identification and characterization of the species (molecules, ions, grains…) answerable for the Diffuse Interstellar Bands (DIBs) seen all around the universe, in galactic and
extragalactic environments. Figuring out the DIBs is a key open query for astrophysics and astronomy. Figuring out the carriers of the DIBs has varied implications from probing the Galactic construction and evolution to unraveling interstellar chemistry and answering elementary questions in astrobiology.
What was an important recommendation anyone gave you?
Most vital recommendation: select a subject that draws you (see Giacinto Scoles above) and consider in and advocate your analysis.
Do you’ve gotten some recommendation for early profession scientists?
My recommendation: select a science area that you just like/get pleasure from, ensure that to work in a pleasant surroundings with a pleasant crew (teamwork is important), though analysis is aggressive, attempt to all the time work with an open crew spirit. Keep motivated, curious and, most of all, modest. Study to speak in confidence to different fields and actions and look to every for the values they supply to our world data. Most significantly, work exhausting, don’t get discouraged and keep affected person; do not forget that analysis is greater than usually an extended and exhausting endeavor that all the time brings outcomes in the event you consider in your work. All the time consider the excessive moral necessities in analysis: honesty and equity.
What are the highest books that you just advocate studying to get began within the area of Lab Astro?
There are numerous publications which were revealed previously two or three a long time which have witnessed the evolution of the sector of Lab Astro. Some examples embody proceedings from Laboratory Astrophysics workshops and conferences.
A non-exhaustive listing of books is offered beneath:
– Proceedings of Laboratory Astrophysics workshops and conferences:
– NASA LAW books (1990, 1998, 2002, 2006, …)
– ECLA 2020
– IAU Proceedings (IAU 371, IAU350, 280, The Molecular Universe, Proceedings of the 280th Symposium of the IAU, …)
– Molecular Spectroscopy in Astrophysics, Spectrochimica Acta, Half A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, Elsevier, Vol. 57, 613 – 958, 2001….and many others….
How do you stability your skilled and private life?
I’ve all the time tried to stability my skilled and private life in addition to I might. It’s not all the time a simple factor to do however I strongly consider that it’s important to have a balanced life. Exterior of labor I spend most, if not all, my time with my household (and my canine). I very a lot get pleasure from strolling or mountaineering with my household and my pals. I additionally spend time studying and/or watching motion pictures or listening to music. I additionally get pleasure from touring, and discovering and exploring new locations for the primary time.
