In this episode I talk to Doug Simons in the first of two episodes. Doug Simons received his Bachelor of Science degree in astronomy at the California Institute of Technology in 1985, and his Ph.D. in astronomy at the University of Hawai‘i Institute for Astronomy in 1990, before working as a staff astronomer at the Canada-France-Hawai‘i Telescope (CFHT) for 4 years. Doug joined the Gemini 8 m Telescope Project in 1994 as the Systems Scientist, then as the Associate Director for Development managed Gemini's instrumentation program for many years before becoming Gemini Observatory’s Director from 2006-2011. Doug returned to CFHT in 2012 where he served as Executive Director for nearly 10 years. In 2021 he returned to his alma mater where he now serves as Director of the UH Institute for Astronomy. Doug has served on numerous community boards. Currently he is on the Board of the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce and is President of the Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce. He is an avid supporter of education and community outreach and has helped develop a number of programs including EnVision Maunakea, Maunakea Fund, Maunakea Scholars, and A Hua He Inoa.

Email Doug: dsimons@hawaii.edu

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Show Notes:
The Stars book: Book: https://www.amazon.com/Stars-New-Way-See-Them/dp/0544763440/ref=sr_1_1?crid=67H7X64M6ZK8&keywords=the+stars+astronomy+book+h+a+rays&qid=1672257522&sprefix=the+stars+astronomy+book+h+a+ray%2Caps%2C176&sr=8-1

Cover Art: iritmogilevsky.com, Instagram: irit.mog
Theme Tune: Omar Chakor - https://www.fiverr.com/ch6k0r

Land Acknowledgement:
This episode was recorded in Nashville and we recognize that this land belonged to the Indigenous People before it came to be known as the state of Tennessee, or as the United States of America. We recognize that that Indigenous Peoples were the first residents of what we now know as the State of Tennessee and that Nashville is built upon the homelands and villages of the Indigenous Peoples of this region including the Shawnee, Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Yuchi tribal nations. Our ability to live and work in this state is the result of direct coercion, forced dispossession, and deliberate colonization. To ignore that is to perpetuate injustice to populations of people that continue to seek redistribution of land that was once theirs. We provide this land acknowledgement in recognition and respect of the indigenous people to whom this land truly belongs. We recognize that acknowledgment by itself is a small gesture, and that it becomes meaningful when coupled with authentic relationship and informed action.

Inclusivity Statement:
I wish for this podcast to be a safe space for those of every gender expression, sexual orientation, ability, race, religious group and age group. I am always trying to learn and improve on my unconscious bias. Any suggestions for improvement will be gratefully received at astronomerand@gmail.com.