A Pioneering Career in Astrophysics
Astronomer Gibor S. Basri was born on May 3, 1951, in New York City, New York. He is the eldest son of Saul A. Basri, an Iraqi Jewish immigrant from Iraq and a physics professor, and Phyllis Claire Whyte, a Jamaican-born African American dance and ballet instructor. Basri’s upbringing was diverse, with experiences in Sri Lanka and Myanmar. Still, he primarily grew up in Ft. Collins, Colorado, where he attended high school while his father taught at Colorado State University. From a young age, Basri demonstrated a keen interest in science, following in his father’s footsteps. At 18, he was awarded the Bausch and Lomb Science Medal, a testament to his early aptitude in the field. Subsequently, he enrolled at Stanford University in California as a National Merit Scholar, where he pursued a physics major and earned his undergraduate degree in 1973.
Following his undergraduate studies, Basri returned to his home state to further his education in physics at the University of Colorado, Boulder. It was there that he developed a fascination with astrophysics, ultimately earning his doctorate in the discipline in 1979. His doctoral dissertation, titled “Supergiant Chromospheres,” focused on stellar magnetic activity and laid the foundation for his future contributions to the field.
Basri’s illustrious career in research and teaching commenced with his appointment as a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Astronomy at the University of California, Berkeley, in 1979. Over the years, he ascended the ranks within the institution, serving as a research astronomer, an Assistant Professor of Astronomy, and eventually attaining the esteemed position of full professor in 1994. His dedication to academia was further evidenced by his role as acting chair of the Department of Astronomy in 2006.
Throughout his tenure at the University of California, Berkeley, Basri made significant scholarly contributions, authoring nearly 200 publications that garnered over 7,000 citations. His research encompassed diverse areas within astrophysics, including star formation, high-energy observation of stars utilizing advanced telescopes such as the 10-meter Keck telescopes, black holes, T Taurus stars, and photometric signatures of stellar activity. Notably, his work with NASA’s Kepler Mission to identify extrasolar terrestrial planets and his groundbreaking investigations of “brown dwarfs” garnered widespread acclaim and were published in prestigious scientific journals such as Scientific American, Nature, Astronomy and Astrophysics, and Astrophysics Journal.
In addition to his research endeavors, Basri actively contributed to the scientific community through his involvement in fellowship review committees funded by esteemed organizations including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Science Foundation, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and the University of California, Berkeley. His commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity in the field of astronomy was exemplified by his leadership as Chair of the American Astronomical Society Committee on the Status of Minorities in Astronomy from 2009 to 2011. Basri’s impact extended beyond the confines of academia, as evidenced by his role as the Vice Chancellor for Equity and Inclusion at the University of California, Berkeley from 2007 until his retirement in 2016. In this capacity, he championed initiatives aimed at fostering a more inclusive and equitable environment within the university community.
Throughout his career, Basri garnered numerous accolades and honors in recognition of his scholarly achievements and contributions to the scientific community. Notable among these accolades are the Carl Sagan Prize for Science Popularization, the Berkeley Citation (the highest honor bestowed by the university), the Sigma Xi Distinguished Lecturer Award, the Chancellor’s Community Service Award, and the NASA Faculty Fellowship at the Ames Research Center. His unwavering commitment to advancing scientific knowledge was further acknowledged through the Chabot Observatory “Achievement in Science” Citation.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Basri found fulfillment in his personal life. He is married to Dr. Jessica Broitman, a distinguished psychoanalyst and university administrator, with whom he shares a son named Jacob Avram Basri. Astronomer Gibor S. Basri’s career stands as a testament to his unwavering dedication to advancing our understanding of the cosmos. Through his pioneering research, impactful teaching, and advocacy for diversity and inclusion in academia, Basri has left an indelible mark on the field of astrophysics. His legacy serves as an inspiration for future generations of scientists as they endeavor to unravel the mysteries of the universe.