David H. Reitze
David H. Reitze
Research Interests: LIGO and gravitational-wave astrophysics: including the development of interferometric detectors for current and next generation gravitational-wave observatories and gravitational-wave astrophysics analysis
Overview
David Reitze obtained a Ph. D. in Physics from the University of Texas at Austin in 1990, joining Bell Communications Research as postdoctoral member of technical staff (1990-1992), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (1992-1993), and then moving to the University of Florida as a faculty member in the Physics Department. In 2011, he joined the California Institute of Technology where he holds joint positions as the Executive Director of the LIGO Laboratory and Research Professor in Physics. His research focuses on the development of ultrasensitive gravitational-wave detectors and gravitational-wave astronomy. In his current as Executive Director, he leads a 200-person laboratory in developing and expanding a new field of astrophysics using the observation of gravitational waves to study high energy. He currently serves on numerous oversight and advisory committees for the international physics and astronomy communities, including the National Academy of Sciences Board on Physics and Astronomy and the Associated Universities for Research in Astronomy Board of Directors.
Selected Awards
- Honorary Doctor of Sciences, Northwestern University, 2024
- Fellow, American Association for Advancement of Science (AAAS), 2019
- National Academy of Sciences Award for Scientific Discovery, 2017
- Princess Asturias Award for Technical and Scientific Achievement (Awarded to Rainer Weiss, Kip Thorne, Barry Barish, and the LIGO Scientific Collaboration for the detection of gravitational waves), 2017
- Royal Astronomical Society Group Achievement Award ‘A' (Awarded to the LIGO Scientific Collaboration and Virgo Collaboration for the detection of gravitational waves), 2017
- Einstein Medal from the Einstein Society in Bern, Switzerland to the LIGO Scientific Collaboration and the Virgo Collaboration, 2017
- American Astronomical Association Bruno Rossi Prize (Awarded to Gabriela González and the LIGO Team for the detection of gravitational waves), 2017
- Gruber Cosmology Prize (Awarded to Rainer Weiss, Kip Thorne, Ron Drever, and the LIGO Scientific Collaboration for the detection of gravitational waves), 2016
- University of Texas College of Natural Sciences Hall of Honor Distinguished Alumni Award, 2016
- Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics (Awarded to Rainer Weiss, Kip Thorne, Ron Drever, and the LIGO Scientific Collaboration for the detection of gravitational waves), 2016
- Special Resolution #1317 of the California State Assembly honoring Rana Adhikari, David Reitze, and Kip Thorne, 2016
- Fellow, Optica (OSA), 2015
- Fellow, American Physical Society (APS), 2006
Selected Awards
- Honorary Doctor of Sciences, Northwestern University, 2024
- Fellow, American Association for Advancement of Science (AAAS), 2019
- National Academy of Sciences Award for Scientific Discovery, 2017
- Princess Asturias Award for Technical and Scientific Achievement (Awarded to Rainer Weiss, Kip Thorne, Barry Barish, and the LIGO Scientific Collaboration for the detection of gravitational waves), 2017
- Royal Astronomical Society Group Achievement Award ‘A' (Awarded to the LIGO Scientific Collaboration and Virgo Collaboration for the detection of gravitational waves), 2017
- Einstein Medal from the Einstein Society in Bern, Switzerland to the LIGO Scientific Collaboration and the Virgo Collaboration, 2017
- American Astronomical Association Bruno Rossi Prize (Awarded to Gabriela González and the LIGO Team for the detection of gravitational waves), 2017
- Gruber Cosmology Prize (Awarded to Rainer Weiss, Kip Thorne, Ron Drever, and the LIGO Scientific Collaboration for the detection of gravitational waves), 2016
- University of Texas College of Natural Sciences Hall of Honor Distinguished Alumni Award, 2016
- Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics (Awarded to Rainer Weiss, Kip Thorne, Ron Drever, and the LIGO Scientific Collaboration for the detection of gravitational waves), 2016
- Special Resolution #1317 of the California State Assembly honoring Rana Adhikari, David Reitze, and Kip Thorne, 2016
- Fellow, Optica (OSA), 2015
- Fellow, American Physical Society (APS), 2006
Leadership
- Executive Director, LIGO Laboratory, 2011-present
Leadership
- Executive Director, LIGO Laboratory, 2011-present