2017 MIT Excellence Awards + Collier Medal ceremony
The next recipient is Jonathan Byford, a technician at Haystack Observatory. Haystack is the home of cutting-edge radio-science research. Many projects have strong international components that require collaboration with entities across the Institute and around the world. Jonathan has been instrumental to those collaborations for many years, wearing too many hats to count, and always with a positive experience as the end goal.
Again and again, those who wrote on his behalf said that Jonathan worked tirelessly behind-the-scenes, always on hand to provide essential support. “He is always willing to jump in where needed,” one colleague noted, “whether that is jumping in to change an antenna drive gearbox, or respond in a few minutes notice for an oil leak.” As another colleague said, “On many occasions, Jonathan’s name has been singled out for special praise. His reputation as a person who gets thing done quickly and with high quality results places him in very high demand.”
Jonathan, we’re pleased to present you with the Excellence Award for Outstanding Contributor!