Astrophysicist by day, a music and pop-culture enthusiast by night, our very own Sera Markoff is elected as a member of the Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen (the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences). This prestigious recognition underscores her contributions to the advancement of astrophysics and her role as a leading figure in both science and science outreach.
The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, known as the KNAW (Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen), is one of the oldest and most prestigious scientific organizations in the Netherlands. It serves as a key advisory body to the Dutch government on scientific matters, and its members are selected based on their significant contributions to science or the arts. Membership in the KNAW is not only a mark of distinction, but also a testament to the impact a scholar has made on their field. Candidates are selected from a wide range of disciplines, and their election is considered a crowning achievement in their academic careers. The KNAW’s mission is to promote excellence in science, foster interdisciplinary research, and advocate for the societal value of scientific knowledge.
Sera’s election to the KNAW represents more than just personal recognition; it highlights the growing importance of astrophysics in the broader scientific community. Her work, which intersects physics, cosmology, and data science, is emblematic of how modern astrophysical research often crosses disciplinary boundaries. As part of her research group, and the Event Horizon Telescope at large, we are trying to unravel the mysteries of black holes from the horizon scale image of supermassive black holes. As the universe’s most mysterious objects, black holes continue to inspire curiosity and awe, Sera’s research plays a critical role in unlocking their secrets. Furthermore, her membership in the KNAW adds to the representation of women in science (and in particular, the KNAW itself, which is currently comprised of ~15% women in the Physics and Astronomy members), a field where gender diversity is still a challenge. Sera has been a vocal advocate for increased support for women and underrepresented groups in STEM. Her success is an encouraging signal to young women aspiring to break new ground in the physical sciences.
With Sera joining the ranks of the KNAW, the future of astrophysics research in the Netherlands looks promising. Her work continues to push the boundaries of what we know about black holes, and as a member of the Academy, she will have an even greater platform to influence scientific policy and research priorities. Additionally, her engagement with the public through lectures, media appearances, and outreach activities will help ensure that the excitement surrounding research continues to captivate audiences both within and outside the scientific community.
From the entire Jetset group, and API at large, hartelijk gefeliciteerd Sera!
P.S. The group’s creativity was showcased with a custom-made congratulatory wine label to commemorate this moment. Fantastic work, team! 🙂
In the picture (from left to right): Leon D. Sosapanta Salas (Ph.D. student), Rittick Roy (Ph.D. student), Marc Klinger-Plaisier (Postdoc), Sera B. Markoff, Cristobal Zilleruelo (Master’s student), Ruby Duncan (Master’s student), Aleksandra Bołbot (Master’s student), Subhrat Praharaj (Ph.D. student), and Aylecia Lattimer (Postdoc)
