The MacArthur Foundation awarded astrophysicist and University of Toronto alumna Sara Seager one of its prestigious fellowships—often referred to in popular culture as a "genius grant"—last week.
The fellowship recognizes Seager as one in a group of extraordinary individuals who "reflect the breadth and depth of American creativity." (Read more about her MacArthur fellowship.)
But Seager's journey towards understanding the planets and stars began here in Canada.
“As a child I was always interested in astronomy. At age 10 I was on a camping trip with my father and we went outside really late one night when it was dark and I looked up at the sky and I had that, ‘Wow!’ I just couldn’t believe there were so many stars," she said. "And to this day I always carry that with me."
Seager now teaches physics and planetary science at the Massachussets Institute of Technology.
“I am disappointed to still be, often-times, the only woman in a room of engineers or physicists," she said. "There still are far too few women in the physical sciences as there should be, compared to efforts put forward to get young women interested and maintain them in the field.”
Seager says the funds from the MacArthur Fellowship will go towards "child-care, household help and quality of life on the homefront."
"By doing that, as a single mother, this will actually enable me to still do my job and to excel at my job. It will give me time to think and time to actually carry out my dreams.”
Seager spoke about the MacArthur with U of T News.
What went through your mind when you were told about the fellowship?
I was just thrilled—although, the news hasn't quite sunk in yet, as I did not realize it was such a big deal until the huge amount of response not just from the media but from colleagues, friends, and fans from all around the world.
How will the MacArthur Fellowship affect you?
It’s powerful to know that so many people in my professional life and personal life believe in me, and that I can accomplish my very most ambitious dreams. I did not fully appreciate this until the MacArthur Award. Now I have more confidence in my ambitious plans.
How does it feel to wear the label of ‘genius’ that comes along with this Fellowship?
Well, the foundation doesn't like that label and neither do I.
Would you like to share any favourite memories from your time at U of T about people, classes or events that helped get you on your current path?
First, I would recall and thank my research advisor (now emeritus) Professor Don Fernie, since research is an apprenticeship. I worked with him at the David Dunlap Observatory which, at the time, was a U of T research facility. The opportunity for undergraduate research was outstanding. He took me under his wing and at the same time gave me freedom with the telescopes.
Second, I would want to emphasize the very top rate undergraduate physics education I received. One professor who stands out is Professor W. R. Peltier, who taught me fluid dynamics—a course not often offered to or taken by undergrads.
I'll never forget the look on his face when a friend and I approached him close to final exam date and said, "There's no possible way we can derive equations of motion on a sphere and the conservation laws [as related to planetary physics] during an exam." (It's an extensive task….) By the look on his face, we knew it was going to be on the exam, and was by that time locked in. So I was able to prepare for it and aced the exam.
He also offered a research class (following the fluid dynamics class) on any topics of interest and I learned many things from him beyond just how to solve equations. We had to present each week and I learned how to withstand a serious weekly "grilling.”
All of this stood me in good stead for Harvard graduate school.
