Contact
Dr. Frank Summers
Space Telescope Science Institute
3700 San Martin Dr
Baltimore, MD 21218
Email: franksummers at franksummers.net
Twitter: http://twitter.com/franksummers
Biographical Sketch
Dr. Frank Summers is an astrophysicist at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, MD. He received his undergraduate degree in Physics from Virgina Tech, and his Masters and Ph.D in Astronomy from the University of California at Berkeley. After achieving his degrees, he did research on cosmology and galaxy formation at Princeton and Columbia Universities, specializing in supercomputer simulations. He then shifted his career emphasis to the public presentation of astronomy while at the Hayden Planetarium in New York, before joining Space Telescope.
His work in the Office of Public Outreach presents the results of the Hubble Space Telescope and general astronomy to the public through news media, web sites, educational programs, museums, and planetariums. As one of only a few professional astronomers working in outreach, his expertise spans a broad range from public astronomy presentation and scientific visualization to high performance computing and research astrophysics.
A particular specialty is the use of research data and supercomputer simulations combined with Hollywood-level animation and rendering techniques to create scientific visualizations that are both accurate and aesthetic. Of note, Dr. Summers directed, co-wrote, and created the 3D visualizations for the IMAX short film "Hubble: Galaxies Across Space and Time". This work won the Large Format Cinema Association's "Best Short Film" award in 2004. His work can also be seen in the Academy Award nominated IMAX film "Cosmic Voyage" (Best Documentary, Short Subject 1996). On "Cosmic Voyage", he provided supercomputer data sets and assisted the scientific visualization team on a four minute sequence. He also served on the film's Scientific Advisory Committee.
Formerly, Dr. Summers was the lead astronomer in developing the exhibits for the opening of the $200 million Rose Center for Earth and Space at the American Museum of Natural History. During this re-birth of the Hayden Planetarium, he and his fellow curators developed and presented the modern view of the solar system many years in advance of the official astronomy reclassification of Pluto. That 21st century viewpoint is covered in detail in Dr. Summers' 24 lecture DVD course from the Teaching Company entitled "New Frontiers: Modern Perspectives on the Solar System".
An unusual aspect for an astrophysicist is Dr. Summers' extensive artistic background. During and after high school he was a competitive ice dancer, eventually becoming nationally ranked and representing the US in international competitions. During college, he was director, choreographer, and soloist with Virginia Tech Dance Theatre. During his graduate studies, he was an accomplished ballroom dancer, and Team Leader of the National Collegiate Team champions. He also has earned a brown belt in Tae Kwon Do.
Dr. Summers lectures widely to the public, students, and for teacher training at levels from Kindergarten through college. He can be seen on the internet in a video podcast called "Hubble's Universe Unfiltered" and is the host of the monthly public lecture series at Space Telescope. He has also consulted on numerous books and television documentaries.
Other biographical sketches:
Pictures
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Dr. Frank Summers, September 2006
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Dr. Frank Summers hosting the STScI public lecture series, January 2007
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