ABOUT ME

PERSONAL

NAME : Chris Pearson
NATIONALITY : British
D.O.B. : 31/12/70

RESEARCH

Currently at the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan, working on the AKARI (ASTRO-F) Infra Red All-Sky Survey project as the ESA support astronomer for European astronomers.
Main areas of interest are Galaxy evolution and Cosmology and Source counts of galaxies from Radio-IR-optical-X-ray wavelengths.

• Infrared galaxy evolution and source counts from radio-X-Ray wavelengths. Current area of interest includes galaxy evolution in the infrared and the modelling of source counts observed by SCUBA, ISO, Spitzer and predictions for ASTRO-F, the Herschel Space Observatory, SCUBA-2 and the next generation Japanese telescope SPICA.
• Selection methods for infrared galaxies : Investigation of galaxy population selection and segregation from colour analysis. Selection of high redshift sources via filter combinations. Cross correlation of ASTRO-F All Sky Survey with major surveys (e.g. SDSS, POSSII, COSMOS-UKSS, GALEX, 6df, PSCz, ROSAT, NVSS, UKIDSS) from radio to X-ray bands.
• Large Scale Structure studies with the ASTRO-F All Sky Survey. Simulation of model infrared skys as a basis for investigation LSS and cosmological studies such as the detection and quantification of the Integrated Sacs Wolfe (ISW) effect.
• ASTRO-F Survey Strategy Team Member : Science strategies for All Sky Infrared Survey and pointed Mission Programs. ASTRO-F is the next generation Japanese Space mission that will map the entire sky at infrared wavelengths (due for launch in 2005).
• ASTRO-F Data Reduction Team Member and Test Data/Quality Control Manager of data reduction pipeline :
• ESA User Support for European ASTRO-F Open Time Proposals Ð The ASTRO-F mission has 10% open time dedicated to ESA Observers. I will act as support and a point of contact for the ESA astronomers wishing to apply for open time on ASTRO-F.
• Multiwavelength studies of galaxy evolution: P.I. of Spitzer /ASTRO-F/SCUBA Field follow-up program to image and make spectroscopy in Spitzer the ELAIS, GOODS fields, ASTRO-F Deep NEP/SEP fields and SCUBA fields.
• SUBARU SUPRIM-CAM NEP Deep Field Team member.- Co-observer on a program covering ~half a square degree at the North Ecliptic Pole with the SUPRIM-CAM on the Subaru telescope. Multi-band imaging in u,b,v,r,I,z,K,U has been taken
• SUBARU Spectroscopic Follow up of SCUBA sources Ð Deep K-band imaging and follow-up spectroscopy has been made on SCUBA sources in the Lockman hole. The imaging provides morphologies while our spectroscopy has yielded redshift for around half our sources.
• SCUBA SHADES Consortium Member Ð The SCUBA-Half Square Degree Survey has detected ~hundreds of sources down to around 8mJy at 850microns. I am currently modelling the Sub-mm source counts of these objects to constrain the evolution in the sub-mm population.
• SCUBA 2 SASSY Consortium Member Ð SCUBA-2 All-Sky Survey
• SCUBA 2 Cosmology Survey Member
• UKIDSS Consortium Member Ð I am a consortium member of the UKIDSS-LAS to survey 4000sq.deg. at near-infrared wavelengths.
• VISTA VIKING Consortium Member

EMPLOYMENT

May 2005 – Present: ESA User Support Astronomer for AKARI (ASTRO-F) mission, ISAS, Japan
May 2003 –May 2005 : European Union Fellow – Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
April 2001-May 2003 : Royal Society Fellowship - Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine, London.
Jan. 1999 - Jan. 2001 : Royal Society / JSPS Fellowship - Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan.
Sept. 1997 - Dec. 1998 : Assembly Language Systems Programmer - Donovan Data Systems.

EDUCATION

July-September 1997 - Monbusho scholarship for young foreign Researchers : ISAS, Japan .
1992-1997 - Ph.D. Astrophysics : Imperial College, University of London.
1989-1992 - 1st class Honours degree in Astrophysics 24 courses (23 A grades, 1 B grade) : Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London.
1992 - Drapers Prize for Academic Achievement
1991 - Drapers Prize for Academic Achievement
Summer 1991 - RGO/IOA Cambridge University
1990 - Wignall Prize for Academic Achievement
1987-1989 - A-Levels, Physics (A), Maths (A), Computer Science (A) : Orpington College, Kent.
1982-1987 - 8 O-level GCEs Kidbrooke School, London.

AWARDS

TEACHING

• Lecture Courses at Institute of Space and Astronautical Science to master / doctor course level students.
  Available here
• Japanese High School Lecture Series in Astronomy for Japanese Students (target age 16-18) - In conjunction with the British Council in Japan, Includes question and answer session with students.
  Available here
• Introduction to Astronomy for Japanese Middle School Students (target age14-16) - Basic introduction to Cosmology for young students given at community centres in Tokyo.
• C++ computer course, Imperial College (2x10weeks including examination interviews) Coursework and computer lab assistant supervisor. Marking of programs Interviews as part of the final exam for 1st year students.
• Computer Course for new company employees Donovan Data Systems (1998) Course in Assembly language and JCL
• Womens Self Defence and Self Awareness Course, Greenwich Council (1997,1998,2001)
  

SKILLS

• Advanced Japanese (2nd level Japanese Proficiency Test)
  
• Intermediate Japanese (3rd level Japanese Proficiency Test)
  
• Post-Beginner Korean
  
• limited knowledge of French and German
  
• Translation of ASTRO-F related documents including newsletter from Japanese to English for the international community.
• Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Instructor Certificate

INTERESTS

Member of Royal Astronomical Society Great Britain.
Anglo/Japanese Science Relations (participated in British Council, Royal Society, N+N events)

Public Understanding of Science

• Lecture Series in Astronomy for Japanese High school stendents (British Council)
  
• Seminar in astronomy for Japanese Middle School children
  
• Participation in Japanese Space School for children
  
• Participated at London Science Museum/Imperial College “Ask an astronomer” in Space Week for 3 years as a member of a panel to answer general public questions (including children) on space/astronomy.

• 4th Dan Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and self Defence
• National Qualified Referee
• International Instructors Course garduate (Seould, Korea)
• Self Defence seminars for women (Greenwich Council, London, U.K.)

  
  

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  CONTACT

  cpp @ ir.isas.jaxa.jp
  Telephone: +81 (0)42 759 8519
  
  Dr Chris Pearson
  Department of Infrared Astrophysics, Institute of Space and Astronautical Science,
  Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency,
  Yoshinodai 3-1-1,
  Sagamihara,
  Kanagawa,
  229 8510,
  JAPAN.
  

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