Dr. Rubén Sánchez-Janssen has been announced as the new Director of the Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes (ING). Dr. Rubén Sánchez-Janssen will follow in the footsteps of Dr. Marc Balcells. Dr Sánchez-Janssen is an Astronomer and Project Scientist at STFC’s UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UKATC), where he leads the development of scientific instrumentation and facilities for ground- and space-based astronomy from the ultraviolet to the near-infrared, with a particular emphasis on future missions. He specializes in galaxy evolution, with particular focus on low-mass galaxies and star cluster systems in the nearby Universe.
The director of the IAC, Valentín Martínez Pillet, acknowledges and thanks Marc Balcells for the work carried out in recent years at the head of the ING, a group of telescopes that has made great contributions to science and technology.
“I would like to congratulate the new director and emphasise that he holds a PhD from the University of La Laguna, and is the first astrophysicist with a PhD in Spain to take on this important challenge. This reaffirms, once again, the excellence of the international training offered by the close relationship between our centre, the IAC, and the University of La Laguna,” says Martínez Pillet. In this sense, he expresses his best wishes to the new director and extends his willingness to continue strengthening the scientific-technological collaboration between both organisations, with the aim of continuing to promote significant advances in the field of astrophysics and innovation.
As Project and Instrument Scientist for MOSAIC, he plays a key role in developing the ELT's multi-object spectrograph. He also serves as Principal Investigator for the UK's ELT instrumentation programme, which oversees the development of HARMONI, METIS, ANDES, MOSAIC, and PCS. He further extends his contributions to the ELT's development as coordinator of the Sky Subtraction ELT Working Group. He serves on the Steering Committees and Science Teams for the Widefield Spectroscopic Telescope and VLT-CUBES and is a member of the WEAVE Science Team.
Drawing from extensive observational experience, including his time as an ESO Fellow and VLT Support Astronomer, Dr. Sánchez-Janssen previously coordinated the Horizon 2020 OPTICON Technology & Innovation Network, fostering collaboration in astronomical technology development across Europe.
Rubén Sánchez-Janssen, the new Director of the ING, said "I am thrilled to join the ING and look forward to working with its talented team and partner communities. Building on Dr. Balcells’ vision, we will continue pushing forward to establish the observatory as a leading force in spectroscopic survey astronomy. I am truly excited about the scientific discoveries ahead of us".
Professor Grahame Blair, STFC Executive Director, Programmes, said: “I am delighted that Dr. Rubén Sánchez-Janssen will be the new Director of the Isaac Newton Group. His expertise and leadership in instrumentation and astronomy combined with his strong links with STFC from his time at the UK ATC make him uniquely qualified for this role. The ING has a suite of exciting new instruments poised to extend our exploration of the cosmos into new domains and we look forward to working with him and the team on La Palma in this new era of discovery.”
Ruben will start at the ING in May. Dr. Don Carlos Abrams is currently acting Director of the ING until Ruben starts.
