Campus News
World-renowned supernova expert honored for breakthrough contributions to astronomy
Mark Phillips received the Alumni Achievement Award on Oct. 27, 2023, for his pioneering supernova research that led to the reversal of a major scientific theory on the trajectory of the universe, and for the indelible legacy he has left for aspiring astronomers.
The Alumni Association at UC Santa Cruz is proud to present this year’s honorees of the UCSC Alumni Awards. These awards recognize and honor alumni who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievements, made distinct contributions to society, provided impactful contributions to UCSC, and who have embodied the values and spirit of the university.
Mark Phillips received the Alumni Achievement Award on Oct. 27, 2023, for his pioneering supernova research that led to the reversal of a major scientific theory on the trajectory of the universe, and for the indelible legacy he has left for aspiring astronomers.
A comet in the southern California sky ignited in Mark Phillips (Ph.D. ’77, astronomy & astrophysics) a lifelong passion for studying the cosmos and inspired a brilliant career as a world-renowned astronomer.
With a mathematical mind and habitual curiosity, Phillips was destined for a megastar career behind a telescope. His interest in the galaxies was sparked when his father woke him in the middle of the night to witness a comet in the San Diego sky when he was in junior high school. A science unit on constellations, an amateur astronomy magazine, and tutoring sessions to help his sister through an astronomy course in college fueled his decision to study astronomy and math at San Diego State and to pursue a Ph.D. in astronomy and astrophysics at UC Santa Cruz.