David Spergel
Science Talent Search – 1978
About David Spergel
Simon’s Foundation president, David Spergel, is an astrophysicist who studies the origins, shape and composition of the universe. After 30 years at Princeton University, Spergel is now professor emeritus, and dedicates his time to research at the Flatiron Institute’s Center for Computational Astrophysics, which he founded. Alongside colleagues working with the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP), Spergel mapped the early universe. He received the Breakthrough Prize in 2018 for this work with the WMAP and received a 2001 MacArthur Fellowship for illuminating some of astrophysics’ most difficult questions. Spergel is an alumnus of the 1978 STS and a member of the Society’s Honorary Board.
2018 Breakthrough Prize
Spergel talks about his early interest in astronomy, his thoughts on the possibility of alien life and the simplicity of the universe in this video from Breakthrough.
Watch the Video
During his long career at Princeton University, Spergel advised many students — like Society alumnus Jeremy Kepner (STS 1987) — who have gone on to do groundbreaking work in astrophysics.
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