Head shot of Gregory Mace, male, with a big smile and a reddish-brown beard, black hair, gray shirt.

Gregory Mace

Research Scientist

Education

  • MBA (2018) • Business Management • University of Texas at Dallas
  • Ph.D. (2014) • Astronomy • University of California, Los Angeles
  • M.S. (2010) • Astronomy • University of California, Los Angeles
  • B.S. (2008) • Physics and Astronomy • Northern Arizona University

Current Position

  • Research scientist at McDonald Observatory and University of Texas at Austin
  • I manage the IGRINS spectrograph currently McDonald Observatory. Instrument Scientist for the Giant Magellan Telescope Near-Infrared Spectrograph. Science PI for APRA program Advanced Silicon Diffractive Optics for Cross-Dispersed Spectroscopy (18-APRA18-0108, PI. Cynthia Brooks).

A wedge shaped volume with lines on two sides. The lines represent the grating grooves of a monolithic cross-dispersed grism and are horizontal on one face and vertical on the other.
A wedge shaped volume with lines on two sides. The lines represent the grating grooves of a monolithic cross-dispersed grism and are horizontal on one face and vertical on the other.

Technology Interests

  • Compact spectrographs to enable high-resolution observations on space-based missions
  • Modular instrumentation for 1-4 meter telescopes
  • Near-Infrared telluric correction without observed telluric standards
  • Multiplex spectroscopy without moving optics

Goals and Aspirations

  • Expand my understanding of optical and mechanical design for instrumentation.
  • Broaden collaboration between instrumentation programs.
  • Build stronger connections between earth science and astronomy.
  • Finish the projects I have started, which have timelines spanning 3-14 years.