Towards an understanding of galaxy structure and evolution

拟议的NSERC发现基金将使我能够利用相当多的基础设施和资源来解决恒星系统形成和演化中的主要挑战，从星团和星系到星系团。这包括设计、执行和分析来自最先进的成像和附近星系的光谱调查的结果。这些调查需要一些世界上最大的望远镜，我已经很成功地获得了这些望远镜。我和我的学生也创新地使用了斯隆数字巡天（SDSS）的成像数据，并期待着即将到来的国际SDSS漫画调查（“在APO绘制附近星系”）的新结果。我被邀请以领导的身份加入MaNGA，这是一个1000万美元的项目。该发现基金的重点是研究和校准星系的动力学特性（包括观测和模拟），恒星人口模型，可见和暗物质的分布及其相互作用，以及星系在大范围质量和环境中的缩放关系。其中一些项目包括对任何星系（仙女座星系）进行最完整的多波长映射，以及迄今为止对星系群（室女座星系团）进行最广泛的动力学分析。补充项目（单独拨款）包括确定控制星系中心超大质量黑洞生长的物理参数，以及用超级计算机以前所未有的分辨率模拟单个星系中的恒星运动。总之，这些项目解决了宇宙学驱动的星系形成模型的全球预测，包括模型和数据之间挥之不去的差异。大部分必要的数据、望远镜时间和超级计算机的访问要么已经到位，要么通过确认的遗留调查得到保证。我将继续深入参与大型观察项目，因为这对我的学生的前沿研究至关重要。由于这项研究的重要性，加拿大和世界各地的主要研究中心、大学和科学研讨会都邀请了许多讲座和评论。HQP的培训（自2007年起30人）是我工作和研究理念的核心；我现在和以前的学生发表了重要的研究论文，并在世界范围内获得了一些最具竞争力的研究生和研究生职位。我的大部分论文都是和他们一起发表的，比如在《现代物理学评论》上发表的关于“星系质量”的评论。我还构思并实施了一个独立资助的培训项目，为加拿大的精英学生提供了观察和参与现代望远镜设施操作的机会。这个在北美独一无二的项目得到了加拿大-法国-夏威夷望远镜和双子座天文台的支持。我在加拿大和国外组织了许多高知名度和有影响力的科学研讨会，更多的正在进行中。我还带领一群本科生组织了2014年10月在女王大学举行的第50届“加拿大本科生物理会议”。我促进外展活动（例如以女王天文台主任、国际天文年协调员和加拿大天文学会“伽利略讲师”的身份）和教学方法培训（例如作为研讨会和期刊俱乐部协调员和研究生主席）。我的许多新学生，无论是来自加拿大国内还是国外，都在他们以前的导师的认可下联系了我，这说明了这项研究和我的推广工作的深远影响。该发现基金将支持至少10名本科生，4名硕士研究生和5名博士研究生。

The proposed NSERC Discovery Grant will allow me to leverage considerable infrastructure and resources to address major challenges in the formation and evolution of stellar systems, from star clusters and galaxies to clusters of galaxies. This involves designing, executing, and analysing results from state-of-the-art imaging and spectroscopic surveys of nearby galaxies. These surveys require some of the largest telescopes in the world, to which I have had great success in gaining access. My students and I have also made innovative use of Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) imaging data and anticipate new results with the upcoming international SDSS MaNGA survey ("Mapping Nearby Galaxies at APO"). I have been invited to join MaNGA, a $10M project, in a leadership capacity. This Discovery Grant focuses on the study and calibration of the dynamical properties of galaxies (both observed and simulated), stellar population models, the distribution of visible and dark matter and their interplay, and scaling relations of galaxies over a wide range of masses and environments. Some of these projects include the most complete multi-wavelength mapping over the full extent of any galaxy (Andromeda) and the most extensive dynamical analysis of a population of galaxies (Virgo cluster) to date. Complementary programs (separate grants) include the determination of the physical parameters that control supermassive black hole growth in the center of galaxies, and simulating the stellar motions in individual galaxies at unprecedented resolution with supercomputers. Altogether, these programs address global predictions of cosmologically-motivated galaxy formation models, including lingering differences between models and data. A large fraction of the necessary data, telescope time, and supercomputer access are either in place or guaranteed through confirmed legacy surveys. My deep involvement in large observational programs will continue, as it is pivotal for my students' cutting-edge research. The significance of this research has led to numerous invited lectures and reviews at major research centers, universities, and scientific symposia in Canada and around the world. The training of HQP (30 since 2007) is central to my work and research philosophy; my current and former students publish important research papers and secure some of the most competitive graduate and post-graduate positions world-wide. Most of my papers are published with them, such as the review on "Galaxy Masses" to appear in Reviews of Modern Physics. I have also conceived and implemented an independently-funded training program which provides the opportunity for elite Canadian students to observe and participate in the operation of modern telescope facilities. This unique program in North America is supported by the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope and Gemini Observatories. I have organised numerous high profile and influential scientific workshops in Canada and abroad and more are underway. I am also leading a group of undergraduate students towards organising the 50th "Canadian Undergraduate Physics Conference" at Queen's University in October 2014. I foster outreach activities (e.g. in my capacity as Queen's Observatory Director, International Year of Astronomy Coordinator, and "Galileo Lecturer" for the Canadian Astronomical Society) and training in pedagogical methods (e.g. as Seminars and Journals Club coordinator, and Graduate Chair). Many of my new students, from within and outside of Canada, contacted me following endorsements by their previous advisors, which speaks to the far-reaching impact of this research and my outreach efforts. This Discovery Grant will support a minimum of ten undergraduate students, four masters students, and five doctoral students.