Contributions by Gemini staff
News for Users
Gemini continues to focus its attention on users’ needs, as well as
instrument maintenance and upgrades. Among the top news, Gemini
has created a new department for user support intended to (among
other things) improve the post-observation science process, Priority
Visitor Runs have begun, and the Gemini Planet Imager Campaign has
officially started!
Science User Support Department
Formed in mid-2014, the Science User Support Department (SUSD) is intended to provide
sustained attention to post-observing support. The new department is largely a reorganization and will consolidate effort that has been distributed around Gemini, including data
reduction software development, National Gemini Office interactions, helpdesk, data-reduction-forum stewardship, and archive coordination.
Joanna Thomas-Osip manages the new department, having transitioned from a Science Operations Specialist to the post on September 15th. Joanna has a Ph.D. in astronomy from the
University of Florida, as well as postdoctoral research and project management experience at
both MIT and Las Campanas Observatory/Giant Magellan Telescope. Joanna’s vision for SUSD
is to create a collaborative community of users and staff by “encouraging interactions that induce constructive interference in our feedback cycle.” In other words, feedback and solutions
should flow back-and-forth between users in a cycle that fosters constant improvements.
For issues relating to user support, please feel free to contact Joanna at [email protected],
or look for her at the January Gemini Users Meeting in Toronto (Ontario, Canada).
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GeminiFocus
January 2015