You are hereGemini ObservatoryAbout Governance Updated May 16, 2025, by lucia.medina Content owned by aadamson Share Tweet About Conduct Careers and Jobs Publications Gemini Telescopes, Science and Technologies Gemini In The Era of Multi-Messenger Astronomy National Gemini Offices (NGO) Governance Participant Shares Web Accessibility Contact Us Gemini Contact Scientists Gemini Strategic Planning Gemini Research Staff Gemini Committees: Membership and Meeting Documents Gemini Board Gemini Finance Committee Gemini Science and Technology Advisory Committee NOIRLab Management Oversight Council Advisory Committees Operations Working Group Users' Committee for Gemini Observatory International Time Allocation Committee National Gemini Offices Committee Meeting Schedule Governance Documents The Gemini International Agreement for the operation of the Gemini Observatory, 2022 - 2027 The Gemini International Agreement for the operation of the Gemini Observatory, 2016-2021 Operational Guidelines: Observatory strategy during the 2016-2021 International Agreement. For the years beyond 2021, the Observatory is currently developing both a Strategic Vision and a Strategic Plan. The charge to the Strategic Vision Committee was approved in Board resolution 2015.B.10. Strategic Scientific Plan for Gemini Observatory Historical Documents (Note: mostly internal use, password protected) Introductory material for Gemini Governance committee members ______________________________________________________________________________________ Committee Meeting Schedule May 12-16. 2025 Gemini Governance Meeting Hilo/Zoom * The Gemini contact person responsible for Gemini meeting logistics deals with coordinating local meeting rooms and office space, network support, local transport, and support with accommodation and other related events. Gemini Board The Gemini Board sets budgetary policy bounds for the Observatory and carries out broad oversight functions as defined in the inter-agency Agreement. The Gemini Board has reserved the right to approve the appointments of the Gemini Director and Associate Directors for Gemini North and South. Meetings (Password Protected) May 14-16, 2025 December 11-13, 2024 May 15-17, 2024 March 12, 2023 Special Meeting November 15-17, 2023 May 22, 25-26, 2023 November 14, 16-18, 2022 September 12, 2022 May 23, 25-27, 2022 November 15, 18-19, 2021 September 15, 2021 May 10, 13-14, 2021 Show More Meetings November 9, 11-13, 2020 August 2020 May 11, 14-15, 2020 November 20-22, 2019 August 19, 2019 May 16-17, 2019 November 14-16, 2018 May 17-18, 2018 November 15-17, 2017 May 10-11, 2017 November 16-18, 2016 May 11-13, 2016 November 4-6, 2015 May 13-15, 2015 November 5-7, 2014 May 14-16, 2014 November 6-8, 2013 May 15-17, 2013 November 14-16, 2012 May 9-11, 2012 November 9-12, 2011 May 10-12, 2011 November 10-12, 2010 May 11-13, 2010 November 11-13, 2009 May 12-13, 2009 November 12-14, 2008 May 13-14, 2008 November 14-15, 2007 May 15-16, 2007 November 15-17, 2006 May 16-17, 2006 November 10-11, 2005 May 9-10, 2005 November 8-9, 2004 Gemini Board Retreat September 27-28, 2004 May 20-21, 2004 November 10-11, 2003 May 12-13, 2003 Resolutions 2024 December 2024 September 2024 May 2023 November 2023 September 2023 July 2023 May 2022 November 2022 September 2022 May 2021 November 2021 September 2021 May Show More Resolutions 2020 November 2020 August, Additional Resolution 2020 May 2020 February, Resolution 2019.B.14 Amendment 2019 November 2019 August 2019 May 2018 November 2018 May 2017 November 2017 September, Additional Resolution 2017 May 2017 March, Additional Resolutions 2016 November 2016 August, Additional Resolutions 2016 May 2016 February 2015 November 2015 May 2014 November 2014 May 2013 November 2013 May 2012 November 2012 May 2011 November 2011 May 2010 November 2010 May 2009 November 2009 May 2008 November 2008 May 2007 November 2007 May 2006 November 2006 May 2005 November 2005 May 2004 November 2004 May 2003 November 2003 May 2002 November 2002 May 2001 November 2001 May 2000 November Support Conflict Of Interest Policy Board Members Dr. Kim Venn (Chair) Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Victoria Phone: 250-472-5182 | Email: kvenn@uvic.ca Dr. Narae Hwang (Deputy Chair) Center for Large Telescopes (CfLAT), Korea Astronomy & Space Science Institute (KASI) Phone: 82-42-869-5822 | Email: mailto:nhwang@kasi.re.kr Dr. Matthew Viau (Executive Secretary) National Science Foundation, Division of Astronomical Sciences Phone: 703-292-4907 | Email: MVIAU@nsf.gov Dr. Andrew Howell UC Santa Barbara & Las Cumbres Observatory, Department of Physics Phone: 805-893-5670 | Email: ahowell@lcogt.net Dr. Bruno Castilho Laboratorio Nacional de Astrofísica Phone: 55-35-36298123 | Email: bruno@lna.br Dr. Chris Packham University of Texas at San Antonio Phone: 352-514-3333 | Email: Chris.Packham@utsa.edu Dr. Chris Smith National Science Foundation, Division of Astronomical Sciences Phone: 703-292-8097 | Email: robsmith@nsf.gov Prof. Edgardo Costa Departamento de Astronomía, Universidad de Chile Phone: 56-2-2977-1115 | Email: costa@das.uchile.cl Dr. Karen Meech The University of Hawai`i, Manoa Institute for Astrophysics Phone: 808-956-6828 | Email: meech@hawaii.edu Dr. Luc Simard National Research Council Canada, Herzberg Astronomy & Astrophysics Phone: 250-217-8973 | Email: Luc.Simard@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca Dr. Damian Mast Observatorio Astronómico, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba Phone: 54 351 4331064/5 int 110 | Email: damian@oac.unc.edu.ar Dr. Martin Still National Science Foundation, Division of Astronomical Sciences Phone: 703-292-4920 | Email: mstill@nsf.gov Dr. Matthew Bayliss University of Cincinnati, A&S Physics Phone: 513-556-0637 | Email: matthew.bayliss@uc.edu Dr. Rebecca Oppenheimer American Museum of Natural History, Department of Astrophysics Email: roppenheimer@amnh.org Dr. Tracy Webb McGill University, Department of Physics Email: tracy.webb@mcgill.ca Gemini Finance Committee The Gemini Finance Committee is comprised of financial authorities from the various partner countries. The GFC advises the Gemini Board on financial, budget and long range plan issues for the Gemini Observatory. Gemini Finance Committee Terms of Reference *Meetings & Reports (*password required) September 3, 2024 September 7, 2022 May 13, 2022 August 16, 2021 May 6, 2021 August 17,2020 May 7, 2020 August 13, 2019 May 15, 2019 Show More Meetings November 5, 2018 April 23, 2018 November 1, 2017 April 28, 2017 November 15, 2016 April 28, 2016 November 3, 2015 May 12, 2015 November 4, 2014 May 13, 2014 November 5, 2013 May 14, 2013 November 13, 2012 May 8, 2012 November 8, 2011 May 9, 2011 November 9, 2010 November 9-10, 2009 November 10-11, 2008 November 12-13, 2007 November 13-14, 2006 November 7-8, 2005 April 11-12, 2005 November 3-4, 2004 September 17-18, 2003 Dr. Martin Still (Chair) National Science Foundation, Division of Astronomical Sciences Phone: 703-292-4290 | Email: mstill@nsf.gov Dr. Matthew Viau (Executive Secretary) National Science Foundation, Division of Astronomical Sciences Phone: 703-292-4907 | Email: MVIAU@nsf.gov Dr. Wagner Corradi Laboratorio Nacional de Astrofísica Phone: 31-9 8868 4502 | Email: wbcorradi@lna.br Dr. Luciano H. García Observatorio Astronómico, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba Phone: 54 351 4331063 | Email: luciano.garcia030@unc.edu.ar Dr. Narae Hwang Center for Large Telescopes (CfLAT), Korea Astronomy & Space Science Institute (KASI) Phone: 82-42-869-5822 | Email: nhwang@kasi.re.kr Dr. Luc Simard National Research Council Canada Phone: 250-363-8315 | Email: Luc.Simard@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca Gemini Science and Technology Advisory Committee The Science and Technology Advisory Committee advises the Gemini Board on policy matters of long-range scientific and technical importance. Terms of reference and related documents: Terms of Reference Conflict of Interest Non-Disclosure Policy For related information prior to November 2011, please see the Gemini Science Committee meeting reports and documents. STAC Points of Contact: ALTAIR: Jonelle Walsh DRAGONS: Curtis McCully GNAO: Gelys Trancho, Jonelle Walsh F2: Juan Pablo Caso, Ivana Damjanov GeMS/GSAOI: Breann Sitarski GHOST: Jae-Joon Lee GIRMOS: Gelys Trancho, Ivana Damjanov, Breann Sitarski GMOS: Juan Pablo Caso GNIRS: James De Buizer GPI-2: Breann Sitarski IGRINS2: Rebecca Larson, Jae-Joon Lee Instrument Upgrade Program: Jae-Joon Lee MAROON-X: David Sand, Curtis McCully ToOs & AEON: David Sand SCORPIO: James De Buizer, Gelys Trancho Visiting Instruments: Rene Mendez (Zorro+Iqueye) GPMO: Breann Sitarski, Gelys Trancho Strategic Scientific Plan: Ivana Damjanov. Breann Sitarski GPP: Curtis McCully, Gelys Trancho Default for other issues: Chair Meetings (Password Protected) May 12-14, 2025 December 9-10, 2024 May 13-14, 2024 November 13 - 14, 2023 May 22-23, 2023 November 14-15, 2022 May 23 -24, 2022 November 15-17, 2021 May 10-12, 2021 Show More Meetings November 9-10, 2020 May 11-13, 2020 November 18-19, 2019 May 13-14, 2019 November 12-13, 2018 May 14-15, 2018 November 9-10, 2017 May 4-5, 2017 November 10-11, 2016 May 5-6, 2016 October 29-30, 2015 May 7-8, 2015 October 29-30, 2014 May 8-9, 2014 October 29-30, 2013 April 22-23, 2013 October 29-30, 2012 April 24-25, 2012 November 7-8, 2011 Reports 2025 May Report 2024 December Report 2024 May Report 2023 November Report 2023 May Report 2022 November Report 2022 May Report 2021 November Report 2021 May Report Show More Reports 2020 November Report 2020 May Report 2019 November Report 2019 May Report 2018 November Report 2018 May Report 2017 November Report 2017 May Report 2016 November Report 2016 May Report 2015 October Report 2015 May Report 2014 October Report 2014 May Report 2013 October Report 2013 April Report and Observatory Response 2012 October Report and Observatory Response 2012 April Report and Observatory Response 2011 November Report and Observatory response Dr. Breann Sitarski (Chair) NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Phone: 951-852-6580 | Email: breann.n.sitarski@nasa.gov Dr. Ivana Damjanov (Deputy Chair) St. Mary’s University, Halifax, Canada Email: Ivana.Damjanov@smu.ca Dr. Benjamin Shappee Institute for Astronomy, University of Hawaii Phone: 808-956-0982 | Email: shappee@hawaii.edu Dr. Eric Steinbring National Research Council Canada Phone: 250-363-0026 | Email: Steinbring@nrc-cnrcgc.ca Dr. Juan Pablo Caso Instituto de Astrofisica La Plata Phone: 54-221 423-6593 + 1130 | Email: jpcaso@fcaglp.unlp.edu.ar Dr. Gelys Trancho TMT International Observatory LLC Phone: 626-395-1607 | Email: gtrancho@tmt.org Dr. Jae-Joon Lee Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute Phone: 82-42-865-2073 | Email: leejjoon@kasi.re.kr Dr. James De Buizer SETI Institute - Mountain View, CA - US Phone: 650-961-7099 | Email: jim.debuizer@gmail.com Dr. Curtis McCully Las Cumbres Observatory Phone: 614-758-8343 | Email: cmccully@lco.global Dr. Jonelle Walsh Texas A&M University Phone: 979-845-7717 | Email: walsh@physics.tamu.edu Dr. Rebecca Larson Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore Phone: 410-338-4700 | Email: saturnswings@gmail.com Dr. René Méndez Universidad de Chile Phone: 56-2-2 977-1117 | Email: rmendez@anid.cl Dr. David Sand The University of Arizona Phone: 626-840-3588 | Email: dave.j.sand@gmail.com ______________________________________________________________________________________ NSF Program Officer Dr. Martin Still National Science Foundation, Division of Astronomical Sciences Phone: 703-292-4290 | Email: mstill@nsf.gov NOIRLab Management Oversight Council The NMOC and each of its members are trustees and advocates to the AURA Board for the mission of NSF’s National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory. The NMOC provides stewardship and management oversight of NSF’s NOIRLab and gives support and advice to AURA on important policy and management matters. The NMOC replaced the AURA Oversight Council-Gemini in the fall of 2018. Charter and membership list AURA Oversight Council - Gemini Archive AURA Oversight Council-Gemini provides oversight and advocacy for the management of the Gemini Observatory. Charter *AOC-G Documents for Review (*password required) Meetings Reports (*password required) May 15-16, 2018 November 13-14, 2017 May 8-9, 2017 November 14-15, 2016 May 9-10, 2016 November 2-3, 2015 May 11-12, 2015 November 3-5, 2014 May 12-13, 2014 November 4-5, 2013 May 13-14, 2013 October 5-6, 2012 March 22-23, 2012 October 18-19, 2011 March 23-24, 2010 October 27-28, 2009 March 12-13, 2009 September 9-10, 2008 March 17-18, 2008 October 19-20, 2007 March 29-30, 2007 October 24-25, 2006 March 16-17, 2006 October 11-12, 2005 March 16-17, 2005 Renewal Proposal 2005 October 12-13, 2004 March 17-18, 2004 October 1-2, 2003 March 19-20, 2003 October 28-29, 2002 Operations Working Group The OWG advises the Gemini Director on the use and scheduling of the Gemini Telescopes, and on matters related to the support of users and to the interface between the national communities and the Observatory. Meetings As of February 2011, Operations Working Group meetings and agendas may be found on the OpsWiki. Show Meetings prior to February 2011 (password required) Meeting #19, August 11-12, 2010 Meeting #18, February 10-11, 2010 Meeting #17, July 29-30, 2009 Meeting #16, January 27-28, 2009 Meeting #15, July 29-30, 2008 Meeting #14, January 30-31, 2008 Meeting #13, July 30-31, 2007 Meeting #12, January 30-31, 2007 Meeting #11, August 3-4, 2006 Meeting #10, February 2-3, 2006 Meeting #9, August 8-9, 2005 Meeting #8, February 7-8, 2005 Meeting #7, August 3-4, 2004 Meeting #6, February 5-6, 2004 Meeting #5, August 11-12, 2003 Resolutions/Reports As of February 2010, only resolutions/recommendations will be posted. Meeting #40, February 10, 2021 Meeting #39, August 12, 2020 Meeting #38, February 11-12 2020 Show More Resolutions Meeting #37, August 1-2 2019 Meeting #36, February 13-14 2019 (no recommendations) Meeting #35, July 22, 2018 (no recommendations) Meeting #34, February 15-16 2018 Meeting #33, August 9-10 2017 Meeting #32, February 15-16 2017 Meeting #31, August 17-18 2016 Meeting #30, February 17-18 2016 Meeting #29, August 17-18, 2015 Meeting #28, February 18-19, 2015 Meeting #27, August 20-21, 2014 Meeting #26, February 19-20, 2014 Meeting #25, August 21-22, 2013 Meeting #24, February 19-20, 2013 Meeting #23, August 13-14, 2012 Meeting #22, February 21-22, 2012 Meeting #21, August 11-12, 2011 Meeting #20, February 9-10, 2011 Meeting #19, August 11-12, 2010 Meeting #18, February 10-11, 2010 Meeting #17, July 29-30, 2009 Meeting #16, January 27-28, 2009 Meeting #15, July 29-30, 2008 Meeting #14, January 30-31, 2008 Meeting #13, July 31-31, 2007 Meeting #12, January 30-31, 2007 Meeting #11, August 3-4 2006 Meeting #10, February 2-3, 2006 Meeting #9, August 8-9, 2005 Meeting #8, February 7-8, 2005 Meeting #7, August 3-4, 2004 Meeting #6, February 5-6, 2004 Meeting #5, August 11-12, 2003 Meeting #4, February 10, 2003 Meeting #3, August 19, 2002 Meeting #2, January 16, 2002 Meeting #1, July 12, 2001 Dr. Susan Ridgway (Interim Chair) Gemini Observatory / NSF's NOIRLab - United States Phone: | Email: susan.ridgway@noirlab.edu Prof. Edgardo Costa Programa de Astronomía - Chile Comisión Nacional de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica de Chile (ANID) Phone: +56 2 229 41 01 | Email: costa@das.uchile.cl Dr. Eric Steinbring National Research Council of Canada Phone: 250-363-3452 | Email: Eric.Steinbring@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca Dr. Vinicius Placco Associate Scientist at NOIRLab - United States Phone: +1 520 318 8566 | Email:vinicius.placco@noirlab.edu Dr. Luciano H. García Observatorio Astronómico - Argentina Universidad Nacional de Córdoba Phone: 54-351-4331063/4/5 | Email: luciano.garcia.030@unc.edu.ar Dr. Alberto Ardila Laboratório Nacional de Astrofísica- Brazil Phone: (+55) 35 36298119- | Email: aardila@lna.br Dr. Soung-Chul Yang Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute Phone: +82 42-865-3332- | Email: sczoo@kasi.re.kr Dr. Jan Kleyna Institute for Astronomy, University of Hawaii Phone: 808 956-0797 | Email:kleyna@ifa.hawaii.edu Users' Committee for Gemini Observatory To provide feedback to the Gemini Observatory on all areas of its operations that affect current users of the facility, based on the experience of the committee members as well as input collected from the larger community of Gemini users. The Observatory will use this information to improve the service it provides to users. Charter Meetings (password required) October 23-24, 2024 July 25 - 28, 2022 October 27 and 28, 2021 July 27 and 29, 2020 July 31-August 1, 2019 Show More Meetings July 27, 2018 August 8-9, 2017 August 16-18, 2016 June 19, 2015 August 18-19, 2014 Reports 2024 October Report 2022 July Report 2021 October Report and Observatory Commentary 2020 July Report and Observatory Commentary. 2019 July Report and Observatory Commentary 2018 July Report and Observatory Commentary Show More Reports 2017 August Report and Observatory Commentary 2016 August Report and Observatory Commentary 2015 June Report and Observatory Commentary 2014 August Report and Observatory Response 2013 August Report 2012 October Report and Observatory Response Matthew Taylor (Chair) University of Calgary matthew.taylor2@ucalgary.ca Jennifer Burt (US) Jet Propulsion Laboratory jennifer.burt@jpl.nasa.gov Ana Chies Santos (BR) Universidade Federal do Rio grande do Sul ana.chies@ufrgs.br Jonathan Gagné (CA) Université de Montréal jonathan.gagne@montreal.ca David Jones (UH) University of Hawaii dojones@hawaii.edu Minjin Kim (KO) Kyungpook National University mkimastro@gmail.com Lorenzo Monaco (CL) Universidad Andres Bello lorenzo.monaco@unab.cl Victoria Reynaldi (AR) Istituto de Astrofísica de La Plata victoriareynaldi@gmail.com Charles Schambeau (US) University of Central Florida charles.schambeau@ucf.edu David Trilling (US) Northern Arizona University david.trilling@nau.edu Vinicius Placco (ex-officio) US NGO vinicius.placco@noirlab.edu Elena Sabbi (Gemini Coordinator) elena.sabbi@noirlab.edu International Time Allocation Committee The International Time Allocation Committee consists of representatives from the national time allocation committees, as well as the Observatory itself. The ITAC is chaired by a Gemini senior-level scientist. The recommendations of the ITAC are advisory to the Gemini Director. The ITAC meets twice a year to consider joint and conflicting proposals identified in the merging process, and to recommend the programs for execution in queue and classical modes. Dr. Mark Rawlings (Chair) Gemini Observatory / NSF's NOIRLab Phone: 808-974-2500 | Email: mark.rawlings@noirlab.edu Mr Pablo Martin Ravelo (Technical Secretary) Gemini Observatory / NSF's NOIRLab Phone: 808-974-2500 | Email: pablo.martin@noirlab.edu Dr. Alberto Rodriguez Ardila Laboratório Nacional de Astrofísica Phone: 55-35-3629 8119 | Email: aardila@lna.br Prof. Edgardo Costa Programa de Astronomía, ANID Phone: 56-2-229-4101 | Email: costa@das.uchile.cl Dr. Stéphanie Côté National Research Council of Canada Phone: 250-363-0026 | Email: Stephanie.Cote@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca Dr. Gabriel Ferrero Instituto de Astrofísica La Plata (CONICET-UNLP) | Email: ferrero.gabriel@gmail.com Dr. Jan Kleyna University of Hawai`i, Institute for Astronomy Phone: (808) 956-6880 | Email: kleyna@hawaii.edu Dr. Jae-Joon Lee Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute | Email: lee.j.joon@gmail.com Dr. Verne Smith CSDC - NSF’s NOIRLab Phone: 520-318-8453 | Email: verne.smith@noirlab.edu ______________________________________________________________________________________ Large Programs Time Allocation Committee The Large and Long Program Time Allocation Committee (LPTAC) is responsible for the scientific assessment and ranking of Gemini Large and Long Program (LLP) proposals. The LPTAC consists of representatives from LLP participating partners, currently the United States and Canada, plus ad-hoc members as may be required for additional scientific expertise. The LPTAC meets once per year, typically in Late April. elena.sabbi@noirlab.edu