The UH System

Who We Are

Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Research

Research Medal Award Winner

John L. Tonry, headshot

John L. Tonry
Institute for Astronomy

John L. Tonry is a professor with the Institute for Astronomy. Tonry’s research and publications are bringing worldwide respect to the astronomy program at the University of Hawai‘i.

His research on distant supernovae led to the discovery that the universe is accelerating in its expansion. The American Astronomical Society cited this research as one of the most important scientific discoveries in the past several decades. In addition, Tonry‘s work with astronomical instrumentation led to a revolutionary new telescope design, which promises to keep the university at the forefront of astronomical discovery.

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

Select a recipient for more about that individual.

Current awardees and links to archives.

2006

Milton Garces, headshot
Milton Garces
Geophysics and planetology
Albert Kim, headshot
Albert Kim
Civil and environmental engineering
Tobias Owen, headshot
Tobias Owen
Astronomy

2005

Bruce Chorpita, headshot
Bruce Chorpita
Psychology
Ho-min Sohn, headshot
Ho-min Sohn
Korean language
Paul Lucey, headshot
Paul Lucey
Geophysics and planetology

2004

Alexander Krot, headshot
Alexander Krot
Geophysics and planetology
John L. Tonry, headshot
John L. Tonry
Astronomy

2003

Andrew Harris, headshot
Andrew Harris
Volcanology
Laurence N. Kolonel, headshot
Laurence N. Kolonel
Cancer epidemiology
James B. Nation, headshot
James B. Nation
Mathematics

2002

Margaret McFall-Ngai, headshot
Margaret McFall-Ngai
Marine organisms
Stephen Olsen, headshot
Stephen Olsen
High energy physics
 Edward Ruby, headshot
Edward Ruby
Marine organisms