Dr. Charles Alcock

Professor

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Biography

Charles R. Alcock is a renowned astrophysicist and the Donald H. Menzel Professor at Harvard University. He served as the Director of the Center for Astrophysics at Harvard and Smithsonian from 2004 until 2023. His academic journey began at the University of Auckland in New Zealand and continued at the California Institute of Technology. Alcock has held notable positions, including Associate Professor of Physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a physicist at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. His research interests primarily encompass the determination of cosmic dark matter composition, innovative surveys of the outer solar system, and the study of massive compact halo objects, comets, and asteroids. Over his illustrious career, he has received prestigious awards, including the Department of Energy's Ernest O. Lawrence Award in 1996 and the Beatrice M. Tinsley Award from the American Astronomical Society in 2000. Alcock was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 2001 and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2006, highlighting his significant contributions to the field of astronomy and physics.

Research Interests

Experience

Director

— Present

Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian • Cambridge, MA

Led the Center for Astrophysics, overseeing a range of research initiatives in astronomy and astrophysics.

Associate Professor

— Present

Massachusetts Institute of Technology • Cambridge, MA

Taught and conducted research in the physics department, focusing on astrophysics.

Physicist

— Present

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory • Livermore, CA

Worked on various projects related to astrophysics and physics.

Professor

— Present

University of Pennsylvania • Philadelphia, PA

Brought expertise in astronomy and physics to the University, contributing to both education and research.

Awards

#

Ernest O. Lawrence Award

#

Beatrice M. Tinsley Award

Requirements for Harvard University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
TOEFL
Total
Required:80
IELTS
Overall
Required:6.5
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in a technical or quantitative field
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Transcripts
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Resume/CV
Specialization Notes

Administered by the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS).