David J. Helfand

Dr. David J. Helfand has established himself as a distinguished figure in astronomy and higher education during his remarkable 46-year career at Columbia University, where he served as Chair of the Department of Astronomy for nearly half that time. His impact on science education has been transformative, particularly through his successful integration of science into Columbia's Core Curriculum in 2004, a change he had envisioned since 1982. As the author of over 200 scientific publications and mentor to 22 PhD students, his commitment to education extends beyond research to making science accessible to non-science majors.