TORONTO, Nov. 24 – An up-and-coming York University astrophysics researcher will receive an award today in Ottawa for furthering the understanding of the universe, including the discovery of outer-lying groupings of galaxies similar to ours and the reason why they spin.
A PhD student in physics and astronomy at York University George Conidis has identified galaxies in groupings like that of our own cosmic neighbourhood and measured how they spin. This groundbreaking discovery has earned him the Mitacs Award for Outstanding Innovation – PhD from Mitacs, a national, not-for-profit organization that partners companies, government, and academia to promote Canadian research and training.
Working under the supervision of York University Professor Marshall McCall, Conidis made the discovery by using pattern recognition software he designed to sift through a database of more than one million known galaxies to determine those that might “live” in a neighbourhood similar to ours. He then observed his target galaxies using a 2.1-metre telescope at an observation facility high in the Sierra de San Pedro Martir Mountains of Mexico, where he collaborated with University of Mexico Professor Michael Richer to collect valuable information that showed how the galaxies were spinning in 3D. Conidis is now combining that information with 3D computer simulations to better understand their behaviour.
“If you think of our cosmic neighbourhood as a coffee table, and the galaxies as being coffee coasters, researchers have long believed that they stand on end, but our research shows that the galaxies are actually spinning at an angle,” said Conidis, whose discovery has garnered global attention, including presentations of his work at conferences in France and Estonia.
The finding is significant because it sheds new light on the origin of galaxies, he added. “It’s an amazing discovery that gives an entirely separate story line to our own galaxy’s role in changing the way galaxies spin in the nearby cosmic web.” Conidis noted that the Milky Way and its neighbour, Andromeda, may have played a larger role than previously thought.
Conidis represents a new generation of researcher who is able to combine observations from a telescope with leading-edge computer technology, such as big data and pattern recognition, to solve problems that have perplexed astronomers for years. “There are some really good questions out there that have been forgotten because we simply didn’t have the necessary technology or data to properly answer them at the time they were asked,” he said. “Now that we understand more fully how to apply technology, we’re making real strides. It’s a huge paradigm shift in understanding our universe.”
The Mitacs Award for Outstanding Innovation – PhD is presented to a PhD student who has made a significant achievement in research and development innovation while participating in a Mitacs-funded program. Conidis is one of seven Mitacs award winners nationally, chosen from thousands of researchers who take part in Mitacs programs each year. The remaining six recipients were recognized for outstanding innovation, commercialization or exceptional leadership in other areas of research.
”We congratulate the award recipients as well as the thousands of additional Mitacs researchers who play a vital role in advancing our world, through the development of new products, services and technologies,” said Alejandro Adem, Mitacs CEO and scientific director. “They are true ambassadors for all that we stand for at Mitacs, including academic leadership, strong problem-solving skills and an aptitude for business.”
York University is known for championing new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Our 52,000 students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. Meaningful and sometimes unexpected careers result from cross-discipline programming, innovative course design and diverse experiential learning opportunities. York students and graduates push limits, achieve goals and find solutions to the world’s most pressing social challenges, empowered by a strong community that opens minds. York U is an internationally recognized research university – our 11 faculties and 24 research centres have partnerships with 200+ leading universities worldwide.
About Mitacs (www.mitacs.ca)
Mitacs is a national, not-for-profit organization that has designed and delivered research and training programs in Canada for 15 years. Working with 60 universities, thousands of companies, and both federal and provincial governments, we build partnerships that support industrial and social innovation in Canada. For more information on Mitacs, visit www.mitacs.ca.
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Media Contact:
Sandra McLean, York University Media Relations, 416-736-2100 ext. 22097 / sandramc@yorku.ca
