51²è¹Ý

The 51²è¹Ý System

Who We Are

Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Research

Research Medal Award Winner

Andrew Howard, headshot

Andrew Howard
Astronomy

Andrew Howard is an assistant astronomer at the Institute for Astronomy at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa.

He has discovered dozens of planets orbiting stars other than the Sun in our Milky Way galaxy. Using telescopes in Hawai‘i and in space, he explores the chemical compositions, formation histories and diversity of these extrasolar planets.

Howard’s research team was the first to show that an Earth-size extrasolar planet is made of rock and iron like Earth, and that temperate, Earth-size planets are common in our galaxy. The latter study was recognized by the 2013 Cozzarelli Prize for the top paper in the physical and natural sciences in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. He is enabling future discoveries by developing the next generation of planet-finding instruments for telescopes on Mauna Kea.

The Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Research is awarded by the in recognition of scholarly contributions that expand the boundaries of knowledge and enrich the lives of students and the community.

Please contact your Campus Chancellor's Office for more information on the application process.

Current Winners
Go to for stories on the latest honorees.

1965-2015 Honorees
2012–2015 | 2011–2007 | 2006–2002 | 2001–1965

2015

Karen Meech, headshot
Karen Meech
Astronomy
Axel Timmermann, headshot
Axel Timmermann
Oceanography

2014

Ruth Gates, headshot
Ruth Gates
Marine Biology
Andrew Howard, headshot
Andrew Howard
Astronomy
Nick Kaiser, headshot
Nick Kaiser
Astronomy

2013

Magdy Iskander, headshot
Magdy Iskander
Electrical Engineering
Bin Wang, headshot
Bin Wang
Meteorology

2012

Roger Ames, headshot
Roger Ames
Philosophy
Christopher Bae, headshot
Christopher Bae
Anthropology
Aaron Ohta, headshot
Aaron Ohta
Electrical Engineering