American radio astrophysicist
Barbara Ann Williams is an American radio astronomer who was the first African-American woman to earn a PhD in astronomy (University of Maryland, College Park , 1981). Her research largely focused on compact galaxy groups , in particular observations of their emissions in the H I region in order to build up a larger scale picture of the structure and evolution of galaxies. Williams was named as the Outstanding Young Woman of America in 1986. She is a retired associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Delaware .
Early life and education
Williams earned her bachelor's degree in physics at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro .[ 1] University of Maryland, College Park for her graduate studies, earning a Master's and PhD in the field of radio astronomy in 1981.[ 2] [ 3] Phi Beta Kappa academic honor society. Williams was the first African-American woman to earn a PhD in astronomy.[ 1] elliptical galaxies using HI emissions .[ 4] University of North Carolina at Greensboro as a research associate, where she worked until 1984. In 1984 Williams was appointed as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill . She spent a year as a NASA -American Society for Engineering Education summer faculty member at the Goddard Space Flight Center .[ 5] [ 5]
Career
Williams's research focused on radio astronomy and the study of galaxies.[ 6] [ 7] radio waves to examine groups of galaxies with compact cores[ 8] [ 9] [ 10] [ 11] [ 12] [ 13] Hickson Compact Group of galaxies established that atomic gases must undergo a phase transformation to result in the observed HI deficiency.[ 14] neutral hydrogen imaging of compact galaxy groups.[ 15] [ 16]
Williams was made an associate professor at the University of Delaware in 1986.[ 1] educational research [ 17] [ 18] National Society of Black Physicists .[ 19]
Along with Sheella Mierson, Williams was the co-principal investigator of a study on problem-based learning in introductory sciences, in the Center for Teaching Effectiveness, University of Delaware.[ 20]
External links
References
^ a b c "ASTRONOMERS of the African Diaspora (1997-05-27)" . www.math.buffalo.edu . Retrieved 2020-02-24 .^ Ph.D, Omoviekovwa A. Nakireru (2010-04-19). The Physics Queen: Authorized Biography of Dr. Elvira Louvenia Williams ISBN 9781450080965 ^ "The Physicists – AAWIP" . Retrieved 2019-01-15 .^ Knapp, G. R.; Kerr, F. J.; Williams, B. A. (1978). "H I observations of elliptical galaxies" . The Astrophysical Journal . 222 : 800. Bibcode :1978ApJ...222..800K . doi :10.1086/156199 ^ a b "Women in Astronomy 2009 - Invited Speakers" . attic.gsfc.nasa.gov . Retrieved 2019-01-15 .^ simioju (2012-07-26). "Black women making their mark in space and science (SLIDESHOW) - Page 2 of 2" . theGrio . Retrieved 2019-01-15 . ^ "W-Z - Women in Astronomy: A Comprehensive Bibliography (Science Reference Services, Library of Congress)" . www.loc.gov . Retrieved 2019-01-15 .^ Carey, Charles W. (2008). African Americans in Science: An Encyclopedia of People and Progress ISBN 9781851099986 ^ "DELAWARE ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY: DAS MONTHLY PROGRAMS - 1984 to Date" (PDF) . www.eecis.udel.edu . Retrieved 2019-01-15 .^ Williams, B. A. (March 1985). "MKW 10 - A group of galaxies with a compact core". The Astrophysical Journal . 290 : 462. Bibcode :1985ApJ...290..462W . doi :10.1086/163004 . ISSN 0004-637X . ^ Rood, Herbert J.; Williams, B. A. (April 1989). "The neighborhood of a compact group of galaxies". The Astrophysical Journal . 339 : 772. Bibcode :1989ApJ...339..772R . doi :10.1086/167335 . ISSN 0004-637X . ^ Williams, B. A. (August 1983). "The IC 698 group of galaxies" . The Astrophysical Journal . 271 : 461. Bibcode :1983ApJ...271..461W . doi :10.1086/161213 ISSN 0004-637X . ^ Mardirossian, F.; Giuricin, G.; Mezetti, M. (2012-12-06). Clusters and Groups of Galaxies: International Meeting Held in Trieste Italy, September 13–16, 1983 ISBN 9789400964129 ^ Verdes-Montenegro, L.; Yun, M.S.; Williams, B. A.; Huchtmeier, W. K.; Del Olmo, A.; Perea, J. (2001-10-01). "Where is the neutral atomic gas in Hickson groups?". Astronomy & Astrophysics . 377 (3): 812– 826. arXiv :astro-ph/0108223 Bibcode :2001A&A...377..812V . doi :10.1051/0004-6361:20011127 . ISSN 0004-6361 . S2CID 14562994 . ^ Williams, B. A.; McMahon, P. M.; van Gorkom, J. H. (June 1991). "VLA neutral hydrogen imaging of compact groups of galaxies. II - HCG 31, 44, and 79" . The Astronomical Journal . 101 : 1957. Bibcode :1991AJ....101.1957W . doi :10.1086/115820 ISSN 0004-6256 . ^ Williams, B. A.; Rood, Herbert J. (February 1987). "Neutral hydrogen in compact groups of galaxies" . The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series . 63 : 265. Bibcode :1987ApJS...63..265W . doi :10.1086/191165 ISSN 0067-0049 . ^ "NSF Award Search: Award#0089408 - Problem-Based Learning and Physics: Developing problem solving skills in all students" . www.nsf.gov . Retrieved 2019-01-15 .^ Williams, Barbara A.; Taylor, Beverley A. P. ; Shaw, Kimberly A.; Butler, Heather Z.; Blaha, Cynthia A.; Allen, Patricia E.; Duncombe, Margaret L.; Dorato, Shannon R.; Whitten, Barbara L. (2007). "What Works for Women in Undergraduate Physics and What We Can Learn from Women's Colleges". Journal of Women and Minorities in Science and Engineering . 13 (1): 37– 76. Bibcode :2007JWMSE..13...37W . doi :10.1615/JWomenMinorScienEng.v13.i1.30 . ISSN 1072-8325 . ^ "NSBP Fellows" . www.nsbp.org . Retrieved 2020-06-10 .^ "Problem-Based Learning in Introductory Science Across Disciplines" . www1.udel.edu . 2022-04-29. Retrieved 2022-04-29 .
