Prof. Pieter Timotheus (Tim) de Zeeuw

Tim de Zeeuw Born in Sleen, The Netherlands, in 1956; Dutch nationality

Education

Graduated from Leiden University as:

  • Kand. examen (BSc) Mathematics (cum laude), 1976
  • Kand. examen (BSc) Astronomy (cum laude), 1977
  • Doctoraalexamen (MSc) Astronomy (cum laude), 1980
  • PhD Astronomy (cum laude) on the thesis: Dynamics of Triaxial Galaxies, Advisor: H.C. van de Hulst, 1984

Professional Activities

  • 1977 - 1980 : Teaching Assistant, Mathematics Dept., Leiden University, The Netherlands
  • 1980 - 1984 : Research Assistant, Astronomy Dept., Leiden University
  • 1984 - 1988 : Long-Term Member, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, USA
  • 1988 - 1990 : Senior Research Fellow, California Institute of Technology, USA
  • 1990 - Present : Professor of Theoretical Astronomy, Leiden University
  • 1993 - 2007 : Director Netherlands Research School for Astronomy NOVA
  • 2003 - 2007 : Director Leiden Observatory
  • 2007 - Present : Director General of ESO


Research: Formation, structure and dynamics of galaxies, including our Galaxy.
Publications: (Co)-authored 135 refereed papers, 18 invited reviews, 6 conference summaries, 160 conference contributions, miscellaneous and popular papers, and edited 4 books.
PhD theses supervised: 23


Memberships:

  • Hollandse Maatschappij der Wetenschappen, 2007
  • Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts & Sciences, 2006
  • European Astronomical Society, 1991
  • International Astronomical Union, 1988
  • American Astronomical Society, 1985
  • Royal Astronomical Society, 1983
  • Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 1981
  • Nederlandse Astronomen Club, 1980

Other Affiliations and Honours:

  • Honory Fellow (Associate) of the Royal Astronomical Society, 2007
  • Dr. Sc. (Honoris Causa), University of Chicago, 2007
  • Asteroid 10970 named de Zeeuw by the International Astronomical Union, 2006
  • Dr. Sc. (Honoris Causa), Université Claude Bernard Lyon I, 2003
  • France/Netherlands Prix Descartes-Huygens, 2001
  • Grubb-Parsons Lecturer, University of Durham, 2000
  • Visiting Associate, Australian National University, 1995, 1998, 2000
  • Visiting Associate, California Institute of Technology, 1995
  • Visiting Scientist, Institute for Advanced Study, 1989-1998
  • Harvard College Observatory Research Associate, 1984-1987
  • Named one of the top 100 young scientists in the United States by Science Digest, 1984