Rutgers School of Graduate Studies Recognizes John Wu's STEM Award
July 2, 2024 - The Rutgers School of Graduate Studies is pleased to announce that Dr. John Wu, an esteemed alumnus (Physics and Astronomy, 2019), has been awarded the 2024 Outstanding Young Scientist award by the Maryland Science Center. This award acknowledges Dr. Wu's significant contributions to astrophysics and his development of machine-learning methods.
Dr. Wu is currently an Assistant Astronomer at the Space Telescope Science Institute and an Associate Research Scientist at Johns Hopkins University's Center for Astrophysical Sciences. His research focuses on identifying low-mass galaxy candidates and modeling galaxies, dark halos, and cosmic environments. These efforts have added valuable insights to the field of astrophysics.
The Maryland Science Center's STEM Awards, including categories such as Outstanding Young Scientist, Outstanding Young Engineer, Outstanding STEM Educator, and the Dr. H. Bentley Glass Scholarship, honor excellence in scientific research, teaching, and academic achievement. The award ceremony took place on May 15, 2024, at the Maryland Science Center in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.
The Outstanding Young Scientist award, established in 1959, is presented to scientists 35 years old or younger in academia and includes a $5,000 cash prize along with the Alexander M. Haig, Jr. Medal. Dr. Wu's selection for this award highlights his notable contributions to astrophysics.
“We are proud of Dr. Wu’s accomplishments and the recognition he has received from the Maryland Science Center,” said Dr. Mark Robson, Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, and Associate Vice Provost for Graduate Education at Rutgers University. “His work exemplifies the innovative research conducted by our alumni.”
Dr. Wu’s achievements serve as a noteworthy example for students and researchers within the Rutgers community. His work advances our understanding of the cosmos and illustrates the importance of interdisciplinary research and technological innovation.
Reflecting on the award, Dr. Wu commented, “Rutgers was integral to shaping my career, and I am privileged to have benefitted from many great mentors and collaborators during my grad school studies. I am particularly grateful for my PhD advisor Andrew Baker; his mentorship enabled me to grow from a novice student into an independent researcher.”
For more information on Dr. John Wu’s work and the 2024 STEM Awards, please visit the Maryland Science Center's website https://www.mdsci.org/learn/awards-scholarships/oys-oye/.