Newswise — Maui, HI, August 28, 2025 — The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) National Solar Observatory (NSO) and The Brinson Foundation are proud to announce that Dr. Souymaranjan Dash has been named a Brinson Postdoctoral Fellow in Solar Physics. This prestigious recognition is awarded by The Brinson Foundation to early-career scientists who pursue bold, creative research in their respective fields. This is the second such fellowship in solar physics at NSO, after the one received by Dr. Ryan French in 2022. Dr. Dash’s fellowship begins September 1, 2025.
The new fellow, Dr. Dash, works on understanding the evolution of magnetic fields on the Sun and other stars using data-driven numerical magnetohydrodynamic simulations—magnetohydrodynamics is the science of how electrically charged fluids move when they are affected by magnetic fields. He will join NSO scientist Dr. Tom Schad’s team at the NSF Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope, built and operated by NSO. During his graduate work, he extensively worked on predicting global solar coronal magnetic field configurations using data-inspired numerical models during total solar eclipses. Most recently, he worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa where he developed algorithms to both infer and constrain numerical model parameters by combining numerical models and observations.
Dr. Dash comments on the exciting opportunity ahead: “I’m excited to join the NSO as a Brinson Fellow and to study the magnetic structure and dynamics of the solar corona by combining high-resolution data from the Inouye Solar Telescope with numerical models and theoretical analysis. My work aims to improve our understanding of the magnetic processes that shape solar activity.”
The Brinson Foundation and NSO’s Commitment to Scientific Advancement
The Brinson Foundation is a privately funded philanthropic organization dedicated to supporting cutting-edge research. By providing grants to top research institutions, like NSO, it ensures that emerging talented scientists receive the necessary resources and institutional support to push the boundaries of their fields. As Jamie Bender, Senior Program Officer at the Foundation, stated: “We support early-career scientists who challenge conventional wisdom with innovative ideas. By investing in ambitious research, we aim to foster discoveries that have a lasting impact on our understanding of the universe.”
Partnerships like this allow NSO to increase its reach in studying the Sun, its activity, and its effects on Earth. The fellowship is co-sponsored by NSO via research funds allocated to the NSF Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope. Dr. Dave Boboltz, NSO Associate Director at the Inouye, highlighted the importance of supporting early-career scientists in solar research: “The NSF Inouye Solar Telescope enables groundbreaking discoveries about the Sun’s complex behavior. The Brinson Postdoctoral Fellowship ensures that talented scientists like Dr. Dash and Dr. French have the opportunity to harness these capabilities at NSO to further our understanding of solar physics.”
The Science Ahead
During his tenure at NSO, Dr. Dash will focus on studying the Sun’s upper atmosphere through unique observations from both the Inouye and space-based missions, such as Solar Orbiter and the Parker Solar Probe. Special emphasis will be placed on experiments conducted during the April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse, when the elusive corona was visible to millions in the continental U.S. for a few minutes.
Dr. Schad underscored the significance of these observations: “The Sun’s mysteriously hot corona forms the launch point of the dynamic space environment that interacts with Earth. The new capabilities offered by the Inouye, combined with coordinated eclipse experiments, open an exciting frontier for the next generation of solar physicists.”
A Successful First Experience
Dr. French joined as the first Brinson Postdoctoral Fellow at NSO in 2022 after earning his PhD at the UCL Mullard Space Science Laboratory in the UK. His research at NSO has focused on the study of solar flares, explosive events in the Sun’s atmosphere that release massive amounts of energy and influence space weather.
Before his departure, Dr. French reflected on his tenure at NSO: “The Brinson Postdoctoral Fellowship has been a fantastic opportunity to lead my own research in solar physics. Furthermore, The Brinson Foundation provided many professional development opportunities, including in data visualization, science communication, and media training.” Beyond his scientific achievements, Dr. French is an experienced science communicator and author, and received the 2024 Solar Physics Division of the American Astronomical Society Popular Media Award.
Dr. Maria Kazachenko, NSO Scientist and University of Colorado Boulder (CU) Assistant Professor, emphasized Dr. French’s impact on her team: “Thanks to The Brinson Postdoctoral Fellowship, my research group at NSO was able to hire a rising star of solar physics. As a Brinson Fellow, Dr. French led several studies on solar flares, supervised students, taught undergraduate courses, and participated in outreach eclipse trips in Texas.”
The Brinson Postdoctoral Fellowship continues to be a catalyst for pioneering research in solar physics at NSO. As fellows like Dr. Dash, and before him, Dr. French keep pushing the boundaries of our understanding of solar phenomena, their contributions will shape the field for years to come.
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About the U.S. NSF National Solar Observatory
The mission of the NSF National Solar Observatory (NSO) is to advance knowledge of the Sun, both as an astronomical object and as the dominant external influence on Earth, by providing forefront observational opportunities to the research community.
NSO built and operates the world’s most extensive collection of ground-based optical and infrared solar telescopes and auxiliary instrumentation— including the NSF GONG network of six stations around the world, and the world’s largest solar telescope, the NSF Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope—allowing solar physicists to probe all aspects of the Sun, from the deep solar interior to the photosphere, chromosphere, the outer corona, and out into the interplanetary medium. These assets also provide data for heliospheric modeling, space weather forecasting, and stellar astrophysics research, putting our Sun in the context of other stars and their environments.
Besides the operation of cutting-edge facilities, the mission includes the continued development of advanced instrumentation both in-house and through partnerships, conducting solar research, and educational and public outreach. NSO is managed by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. (AURA) under a cooperative agreement with NSF. For more information, visit nso.edu.
About The Brinson Foundation
The Brinson Foundation is a family philanthropic organization that promotes liberty, personal initiative, and programs that enable individuals to contribute positively to society. Since it was established in 2001, the Foundation has made grants that prioritize helping people reach their full potential, with a focus on quality education programs and collaborative efforts in Chicago and beyond. The Foundation grounds itself in the importance of reason and applied science to enhance our lives. In addition, the Foundation believes basic scientific research is essential to deepening our understanding of the universe. Its Brinson Postdoctoral Fellowship Programs are awarded to scientists who chase bold ideas through innovative research. Learn more at brinsonfoundation.org.
Contact
For media inquiries, please contact:
Evan Pascual
Communications Specialist
U.S. NSF National Solar Observatory
media@nso.edu