ASA Student Representative Nominees

The student members listed below have nominated for the position of student representative on the ASA Council.

Max Spolaor, the current student representative on the ASA Council will retire from his position at the upcoming AGM of the Society. Three students have nominted for the position and, as a result, a ballot of student members will be held to choose the single representative.

This ballot is more informal than the ballot for other Council positions. To vote, simply send an email to Max Spolaor (mspolaor@astro.swin.edu.au) with the name of your first choice for ASA student representative before 5pm Friday 3 July 2009.

The information below has been provided to help you make an informed decision in the ballot.




Mark Beavis

With a long-held passion for space science and astronomy, I am currently undertaking the Master of Astronomy program at James Cook University. I am keen to enhance the voice and contribution of student members within the ASA, as well as within space science, Australian space policy and the space industry more generally. I am also a member of the Australian Space Industry Chamber of Commerce and well-placed to make some of these broader connections. In terms of my ability to represent student members effectively, I am an experienced company director (presently a credit union chairperson) and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. For me, it would be an honour to serve and represent my fellow student members, who today make up one-third of the ASA's total membership.



Duane Hamacher

I'm a PhD candidate at Macquarie University and an astronomy educator at Sydney Observatory. I received an MSc in astrophysics from the University of New South Wales and a BSc in physics from the University of Missouri. I would love the opportunity to represent postgrads in all areas of astronomy, and to contribute to the astronomical community. I also wish to gain experience working with astronomers from various fields and institutions across Australia.



Brad Tucker

I am 2nd year PhD student at Mt. Stromlo Observatory in Canberra. My research deals with measuring Dark Energy using Type Ia Supernovae, and the problems associated with them, specifically the measurement of dust and the host galaxies impact on measurements of the equation of state. I got my BSc and BA from the University of Notre Dame in the US. I am involved with the student outreach program here at Stromlo in addition to spending time with my three pet chickens. I would like to be the ASA student rep in order to gain a better grasp on "astro-politics" and the management side of Astronomy while watching out for us students.


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