Tom Rice

 Dr. Tom Rice is an Assistant Research Professor of Physics, where he conducts astronomy research and teaches undergraduate courses. He also holds a staff position at the American Astronomical Society in Washington, DC as the Education Program Manager. Tom’s research background is in the study of star and planet formation, especially including (a) studies of giant molecular clouds throughout the Galaxy, (b) single-dish and interferometric millimeter-wave astrochemical studies of nitrogen and carbon bearing molecules in terrestrial planet formation, and (c) near-infrared variability studies of young, disk-bearing stars and brown dwarfs. Tom’s work at the AAS centers on coordinating how AAS can support astronomy educators at all levels, through educator community organizing, faculty professional development, and strengthening departments’ teaching, admissions, and mentoring practices. Tom was a first-generation undergraduate student at Harvard University (A.B. 2012) and earned a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 2019. Tom is a CODA (child of Deaf adults) who grew up in a Deaf, Signing household and is a native speaker of American Sign Language.