January 15, 2025 — Southwest Research Institute’s Dr. Lisa Upton has received the 2025 Karen Harvey Prize from the American Astronomical Society’s Solar Physics Division, which recognizes the outstanding contributions made by early career solar scientists. Upton was honored for advancing our understanding of the Sun and exceptional leadership in the solar science community.
“This honor is well deserved. Dr. Upton’s talent and enthusiasm have had a major impact on the field, both directly through her publications and indirectly through organizing and motivating other scientists,” said SwRI’s Dr. Craig DeForest, director of SwRI’s Solar and Heliophysics Department.
Upton’s contributions to a state-of-the-art solar surface flux transport model have advanced our understanding of the solar corona, or outer atmosphere, and improved solar cycle predictions about when the Sun will be the most active. In particular, she is interested in advancing Sun-Earth system research, bridging the solar interior with its atmosphere and using her model to improve space weather predictions and ultimately mitigate effects on space-based technology and astronauts. She is a leading advocate for a solar polar mission.
“I am honored and delighted to receive the AAS/SPD's 2025 Harvey prize! Heliophysics — the study of the Sun and all that it touches — is a truly fascinating area of research because there is so much to learn and discover,” said Upton, a lead scientist in SwRI’s Solar System Science and Exploration Division, located in Boulder, Colorado. “The Sun’s polar regions are among the last regions in our solar system to be fully explored. Just as images from above the poles of Jupiter and Saturn revealed stunning surprises, we expect that the Sun’s poles will have some beautiful secrets to unveil. Getting there is a challenge, but certainly achievable in the next decade.”
Upton received her Ph.D. in Physics from Vanderbilt University in 2014. She has published over 34 papers in peer-reviewed journals, is included on over 100 presentation abstracts and has served on numerous national and international committees. She also served as co-chair to the NASA/NOAA Solar Cycle 25 Prediction Panel.
Passionate about science education and outreach, Upton hosts a website, solarcyclescience.com, to share her knowledge about the Sun and its impact on our planet with the general public and scientists alike. She also mentors undergraduates, graduate students and postdocs, and serves as a role model for women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, fields.
The prize is named in honor of solar physicist Karen Harvey and awarded annually by the AAS Solar Physics Division, with emphasis on an individual’s research excellence and potential. The 2025 Harvey Prize will be presented at SPD’s 56th meeting, jointly with the AAS and the Laboratory Astrophysics Division, June 8-12, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska.
For more information, visit Heliophysics or contact Deb Schmid, +1 210 522 2254, Communications Department, Southwest Research Institute, 6220 Culebra Road, San Antonio, TX 78238-5166.