The LSST Discovery Alliance is pleased to announce that Tesla Jeltema has been elected as the new Science Collaborations (SCs) Coordinator for the Vera C. Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST).
The Science Collaborations Coordinator is a leadership position selected through a community election process that invites broad input from the LSST Science Collaborations. The Coordinator serves as the principal liaison between the Science Collaborations and the LSST Discovery Alliance, supporting coordination across collaborations and representing Science Collaboration perspectives to the broader scientific community.
Dr. Jeltema is a Professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz and Associate Director of the Santa Cruz Institute for Particle Physics. She recently completed a two-year term as Deputy Spokesperson of the Dark Energy Science Collaboration (DESC). Her research focuses on observational probes of dark matter and dark energy, as well as galaxy and active galactic nucleus (AGN) evolution, with significant contributions to Rubin LSST science areas including galaxy clusters, dark matter, strong lensing, and commissioning through the Low Surface Brightness Science Unit.
Across her career, Dr. Jeltema has worked extensively within large international collaborations, including Fermi-LAT, DES, DESC, and DESI. Her leadership experience spans collaboration governance, publication oversight, mentoring, and operations, providing a strong foundation for supporting the diverse scientific goals of the LSST Science Collaborations.
In addition to her scientific leadership, Dr. Jeltema brings a long-standing commitment to mentoring and inclusive community building. Her service includes leadership roles in programs that build STEM pathways and mentoring programs, organization of conferences supporting undergraduate participation in physics, and sustained involvement in departmental and divisional diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. She was awarded the APS Division of Particle and Fields Mentoring Award in 2020.
As Science Collaborations Coordinator, Dr. Jeltema will work closely with Science Collaboration chairs, the LSST Discovery Alliance, and Rubin Observatory leadership to facilitate communication, support inter-collaboration activities, and help ensure that the Science Collaborations are well positioned to realize the full scientific potential of LSST.
“This is an exceptionally exciting time for Rubin and for astrophysics, and I am thrilled to serve in this role, supporting and coordinating the remarkable range of science enabled by LSST, ” said Tesla Jeltema, incoming Science Collaborations Coordinator.
The appointment is a three-year term, with the possibility of one renewal by mutual agreement.