María Teresa Ruiz
María Teresa Ruiz | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 24, 1946 Santiago, Chile |
| Occupation(s) | Astronomer, professor |
| Years active | 1971–present |
| Known for | Discovery of the brown dwarf system Kelu-1; first woman to receive Chile's National Prize for Exact Sciences; first female astrophysics PhD from Princeton University; first female president of the Chilean Academy of Sciences |
María Teresa Ruiz (born 24 September 1946) is a distinguished Chilean astronomer renowned for being the first woman to receive Chile's National Prize for Exact Sciences, the inaugural female to obtain a doctorate in astrophysics from Princeton University, and the first female leader of the Chilean Academy of Sciences. She is acclaimed for her discovery of the brown dwarf system Kelu-1.
In 2018, Ruiz was recognized as one of the top 10 most influential and powerful women in Chile due to her significant contributions to science.
Her professional accomplishments include authoring two astronomy publications: Desde Chile un cielo estrellado: lecturas para fascinarse con la astronomía (2013) and Hijos de las Estrellas (2017).
Early life and education
Born in Santiago de Chile in 1946, Ruiz initially pursued chemical engineering at the University of Chile starting in 1966. However, after participating in an astronomy summer course, she redirected her studies to astronomy, enrolling in the university’s newly established program and becoming its first graduate in 1971.
Career and research
Completing her doctoral thesis under the supervision of Martin Schwarzschild in 1975, Ruiz became the first woman to earn a PhD in astrophysics from Princeton University. She undertook postdoctoral research at the Trieste Observatory and spent two years working at the Institute of Astronomy at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). In 1997, she made history again as the first female recipient of Chile’s National Prize for Exact Sciences.
Astronomic discovery
Ruiz identified Kelu-1 in 1997, a binary brown dwarf system approximately 61 light years distant within the constellation Hydra. This system ranks among the earliest recognized free-floating brown dwarfs. Ruiz detected its distinctive spectral features, notably lithium presence and a very red coloration—both critical markers confirming its classification as a brown dwarf. The name "Kelu" originates from the Mapuche language meaning “red,” highlighting the object's characteristic color.
Overview of positions
- 1975–1976: Postdoctoral researcher at Italy’s Astronomical Observatory of Trieste.
- 1977–1978: Visiting scientist at the Institute of Astronomy, UNAM.
- 1978: Visiting researcher at NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS).
- 1979–1989: Associate professor and later tenured faculty member in Universidad de Chile’s Department of Astronomy.
- Since 1992: Representative for Universidad de Chile at the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA).
- 1993: Served on Review Committee at Instituto de Astronomia, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil.
- 1995: Participated in Comité de Búsqueda for Project Scientist selection of Project Gemini.
- 1996: Designated vice president of the Users Committee at the European Southern Observatory by Chilean authorities.
- 2001–2005: Head of Universidad de Chile’s Astronomy Department.
- 2015: Elected president of the Chilean Academy of Science.
- As of 2019: Serving as professor at Universidad de Chile’s Department of Astronomy (DAS) and directing the Center for Excellence in Astrophysics and Associated Technologies (CATA).
Selected Publications
- Desde Chile un cielo estrellado: lecturas para fascinarse con la astronomía (2013)
- Hijos de las estrellas (2017)
Distinctions and Recognitions
- Carnegie-Chile Fellowship, awarded 1971–1975
- MacArthur Foundation-AAAS Starter Grant, received in 1993
- Presidential Chair in Science, granted in 1996
- Chancellor's Medal from the University of Chile, honored in 1996 and again in 1998
- National Prize for Exact Sciences (Chile), bestowed in 1997
- Elected Fellow of the Academy of Sciences, 1998
- Labarca Merit Award recipient, year 2000
- Guggenheim Fellowship awarded in 2001
- Laureate of the L'Oréal-UNESCO Awards for Women in Science, 2017
- Included in BBC's list of 100 Women, 2017
- Decorated as Chevalier (Knight) of the Legion of Honour
Personal Background
Ruiz pursues embroidery as a pastime, focusing on creating intricate portraits, including depictions of her own family members. She initially took up this art while studying overseas as a way to maintain a bond with her family.
She is married to Fernando Lund, a fellow Chilean scientist and academic. Together they have a son named Camilo, born in 1980, who works professionally as a civil engineer.