Professor Juan Cabenela of St. Cloud State University’s Physics and Astronomy Department was the recipient of a 2005 Miller Teaching and Service Award. He was awarded the honor because of his research on the shape of the galaxy. Professor Cabanela photographed and identified 90 million objects and found evidence that the components of the galaxy made up an asymmetric thick disk which was more of a bar in shape. This contrasts with a previously held belief that the galaxy was circular. He and other colleagues are going to spend six nights in Chile with a telescope which has the strength to take photos 100 times deeper than normal. Professor Cabanela’s current research is often integrated into his lectures and he emphasizes that “science is not about just finding answers but finding out how things work”. Professor Cabenela also started a website entitled “Contacting the Congress” ten years ago. The website is designed as a tool for people to find the name and contact information for their representatives. This website is used by the American Astronomical Society to get people involved with writing letters to Congress particularly when funding cuts to science and NASA are threatened. Professor Cabenela used his Miller Teaching and Service Award to upgrade his technology at home so he could continue his research, writing, and teaching and be at home with his twins! Congratulation Professor Cabenela and the best of luck to you on your future endeavors!
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St. Cloud State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity educator and employer.
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