Josh Walawender

Josh Walawender is a seasoned astronomer with extensive experience in telescope instrumentation and academic roles. Currently a Staff Astronomer at W. M. Keck Observatory since March 2016, Josh instructs visiting astronomers on instrument use and calibration while actively maintaining and developing scientific instruments. Previously, Josh served as an Instrumentation/Research Specialist at Subaru Telescope, focusing on maintenance and upgrades of telescope instruments from October 2012 to February 2016. In academia, Josh held the position of Assistant Professor at the University of Hawaii at Hilo from March 2011 to May 2012 and executed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Hawaii from May 2006 to March 2011, contributing to the Variable Young Stars Optical Survey. Josh's academic background includes a PhD in Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences from the University of Colorado Boulder and a BA in Physics with Astrophysics from the University of California, Berkeley.