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Regents Professor George Rieke has been named a University of Arizona Galileo Circle Fellow.

Dr. Rieke holds a B.A. in Physics from Oberlin College, and both an M.A. and Ph.D. in Physics from Harvard University. In 1970, he joined the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory (LPL) as a postdoctoral researcher, marking the beginning of a distinguished career at the University of Arizona. Throughout his tenure, Dr. Rieke has held several key roles in LPL, the Department of Planetary Sciences, the Department of Astronomy, and the Steward Observatory. In 2004, he was named Regents Professor for his exceptional abilities and achievement of national and international distinction. 

Professor Rieke is the Science Team Lead for the Mid-Infrared Instrument on the James Webb Space Telescope. He previously led the development of the Multiband Imaging Photometer for SIRTF instrument for the Spitzer Space Telescope. His current science is focused on the capabilities of these instruments. 

A prolific scholar, Dr. Rieke has co-authored more than 580 peer-reviewed publications which have received more than 58,000 citations, making him one of the most highly cited faculty members at the University of Arizona. Throughout his career, Dr. Rieke has mentored 29 Ph.D. students and supervised more than 30 postdoctoral fellows. In 2023, he was awarded the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal, the highest honor NASA bestows on non-government employees. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences.

Galileo Circle Fellows are academic scholars who demonstrate a deep understanding over a broad range of science, a willingness to think in a truly interdisciplinary way, and an ability to inspire colleagues and students alike.