Alceste Bonanos

Education

• Ph.D. in Astronomy, Harvard University, 2005
  
• M.A. in Astronomy, Harvard University, 2002
• B.A. in Astronomy and Physics, Wellesley College, 2000

Employment

• IAASARS, National Observatory of Athens (2009-present)
  Research Director since 2023
• Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, Maryland
  Giacconi Fellow: 2008–2009
• Carnegie Institution of Washington, Department of Terrestrial Magnetism
  Vera Rubin Fellow: 2005–2008
• Harvard University, Department of Astronomy
  Teaching Assistant (Science A-35): 2001–2002
• Wellesley College, Department of Physics
  Tutor for Physics 107/108: 1998–2000
• Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
  REU Summer Intern: 1999
• Wellesley College, Department of Astronomy
  Summer Research Assistant: 1997, 1998

Distinctions, Honors and Awards

• L’Oreal-UNESCO Prize for Women in Science, Greece, 2011
• Fireman Prize, Harvard University, 2005
• Durant Scholar, magna cum laude, Wellesley College, 2000
• Phyllis J. Fleming Prize for Distinction in Physics, Wellesley College, 2000
• Phi Beta Kappa, Wellesley College, 2000
• Sigma Xi, Wellesley College, 2000

Grants

• ERC-COG “Episodic Mass Loss in the Most Massive Stars: Key to Understanding the Explosive Early Universe (ASSESS)”, €1,128,750 (2018–2024, PI)
• ESA “Hubble Catalogue of Variables”, €1,150,000 (2015–2019, PI & Project Scientist)
• ESA “NELIOTA” Lunar Impact Monitoring Project, €900,000 (2015–2021, PI)
• “Aristeia” Greek Excellence Grant, €277,560 (2012–2015, PI)
• COST Action MP0905 Short Term Scientific Mission, €1,200 (2012)
• Latsis Foundation grant for Scientific Studies, €12,000 (2011, PI)
• IAU Travel Grants, €4,160 (2010–2015)
• Marie Curie International Reintegration Grant, €100,000 (2009–2013, PI)
• NSF Grant AST-0707982: “Most Massive Stars in the Local Universe”, $360,000 (Senior Personnel, 2007–2010)

Miscellaneous

• 88 papers in refereed journals (17 as first author, 39 as second/third author), plus circulars and conference abstracts; publications cited >4,800 times (h-index = 37) (see ADS, ORCID)
• Seminar coordinator roles at Carnegie/DTM, STScI, and IAASARS
• Invited talks and seminars at international institutions (Hawaii, CTIO, Toronto, ESO, NASA/Goddard, Academy of Athens, etc.) and conferences (e.g. invited plenary talk at EAS 2025, June 2025)
• Fluent in Greek; conversant in Russian; reading knowledge of French

Selected Telescope Time Allocations

• Spitzer Space Telescope, Cycle 8 (GO 80063), 119 hrs in 2011–12
• VLT 8-m telescope allocations for multiple programs (>8 nights in 2009–2025)
• DuPont 2.5-m telescope – PI (31 nights in 2005–2008)
• Magellan 6.5-m telescope – PI (17 nights in 2006–2008)
• Gemini Observatory 8-m telescope - PI (50 hrs in 2004, 2007)
• MMT Observatory 6.5-m telescope - PI (5.5 nights in 2004)
• W.M. Keck Observatory 10-m telescope - CoI (11 half-nights in 2002–2004)
• MMT Observatory 6.5-m telescope - PI (5.5 nights in 2004)

Public Outreach & Media

• Interview on ERTnews weekly TV show Syntheseis (December 6, 2025)
• 100 Χρόνια Stellar Atmopsheres: Η Επανάσταση της Cecilia Payne (NOA visitor centers, June 2025 & February 2026)
• "Near-Earth Asteroids: How dangerous are they?" (Asteroid Day- June 2016, Café Scientifique- November 2016 & Researcher Night- September 2024)
• Participation in annual summer school of NOA with presentation titled "The Life Cycle of Stars" (2010-present)