Center for Imaging Science honors scientists

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Ray Jayawardhana

The RIT Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science will honor notable scientists during the annual Imaging Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Wednesday, Jan. 16.

For the first time, one of the inductees will be present for the 4 p.m. event, to be held in the Carlson Auditorium and open to the RIT community. A reception will follow at 5 p.m. at TC Riley’s in Park Point.

Keynote speaker Ray Jayawardhana, Canada Research Chair in Observational Astrophysics at the University of Toronto, will present “First Glimpses of Alien Worlds.”

Jayawardhana uses many of the world’s largest telescopes to explore planetary origins and diversity. The award-winning writer has published articles in numerous publications, including The Economist, New York Times and Scientific American. Jayawardhana is also the author of the popular book, Strange New Worlds: The Search for Alien Planets and Life Beyond Our Solar System. A book signing will be held following his talk, with books available for purchase.

The center will also honor retiring professor John Schott, the Frederick and Anna B. Wiedman Chair of Imaging Science, for his dedication and accomplishments. Schott has been a faculty member in the Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science for the past 32 years and will step down from his tenure position at RIT in June. He will continue to conduct research and advise students as a research professor in the center.

Each year, the Imaging Hall of Fame enshrines a selection of scientists whose work has impacted the field of imaging science. Last year the center inducted John Logie Baird, George Carruthers, Hermann Ludwig Ferdinand von Helmholtz and Joseph Ferdinand Gabriel Lippman.