2008 Annual Report - AGU

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Writing to AGU president Tim Killeen in October 2007,
Sunanda Basu said, “Santi and I met in October 1957…. In
celebration of our 50-year partnership, we want to endow an
International Early Career Award within the Space Physics
and Aeronomy section.” Early in their careers, the Basus
experienced challenges that scientists in developing nations
still face today. That’s why they created this award. The Basus wanted the award to recognize a young
scientist in a developing nation for making outstanding contributions to research in Sun-Earth systems
science—their science. Equally important, they wanted the awardee to benefit from interacting with
peers from many countries at AGU’s Fall Meeting. For this, the Basus gave an endowment gift of
$50,000 to AGU the following January, making them the most generous donors in 2008.
Sunanda became a member at 22 when she coauthored a paper in Journal of Geophysical Research
(JGR) as a master’s student at Boston University during a 2-year stay in the United States. Santimay
joined AGU 6 years later. When they returned to India in the mid-1960s, he created a space physics
group at the Institute of Radio Physics, Calcutta University. It was not easy. Meanwhile, Sunanda
received her doctorate based on four papers published in JGR and became the first woman to get
her Ph.D. in radio physics from the University of Calcutta. Faced with gender-work issues in India,
Sunanda successfully applied for a National Research Council postdoctoral position at the Air Force
Geophysics Laboratory near Boston, with Santimay and their only son joining her. For nearly 40 years
the Basus have enjoyed very rewarding research careers in the United States while collaborating with
peers around the world and helping AGU to fulfill its mission.
THANK YOU
11 • 2008 ANNUAL REPORT
Sunanda and Santimay Basu
Yao Chen received the first Sunanda and Santimay Basu Early Career Award at the 2008 AGU
Fall Meeting. The award recognizes an individual scientist in a developing nation for making
outstanding contributions to research in Sun-Earth systems science that further the understanding
of both plasma physical processes and their applications for the benefit of society.
AGU gratefully acknowledges the 8176 gifts, grants, and pledges, both large and small, from members and
friends during 2008.
AMERICAN GEOPHYSICAL UNION • 11