RMC Professor Receives International Recognition

KINGSTON, Ont. – Dr. Poonam Chandra, an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC), has received an international award for her work in astrophysics.

Dr. Chandra has been awarded the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) Young Scientist Prize in Astrophysics for 2010.  She was presented with the prize during the 25th Texas Symposium on Relativistic Astrophysics in Heidelberg, Germany, in December for her work on radio detection of distant gamma ray bursts and supernovae.

The International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) Young Scientist Prize in Astrophysics for 2010 was presented to Dr. Chandra (right) by distinguished astrophysicist Virginia Trimble.

The award was presented by distinguished astrophysicist Virginia Trimble.

“I was honoured to receive this award from Virginia Trimble, a person whose work and career I have always admired,” said Dr. Chandra. “I am so happy that my work was noted and considered for this prestigious award.”

For Dr. Chandra’s colleagues, who she acknowledged for their “support and encouragement”, the award shows the high caliber of up and coming researchers at the College.

“The award of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics young scientist prize to Dr. Poonam Chandra demonstrates the high international regard of astrophysics research at RMC,” said astronomer Dr. Gregg Wade, professor in the Department of Physics at RMC. “That the College is able to attract rising stars like Dr. Chandra strongly supports RMC's research profile, and allows us to successfully compete with much larger institutes, both in Canada and abroad.”