The Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS) of the American Astronomical Society has named its prize winners for 2026.
Prof. Mark Marley of the University of Arizona is the recipient of the 2026 Gerard P. Kuiper Prize honoring outstanding contributions to the field of planetary science. Dr. Marley is a highly influential and groundbreaking pioneer of exoplanet/brown dwarf atmosphere characterization. His work forms the backbone of multiple subfields, including substellar atmospheres, cloud microphysics, radiative transfer, and the interpretation of brown dwarf and exoplanet spectra. As a pioneering figure who bridged solar system planetary science with the emerging field of exoplanet atmospheres, he helped establish the theoretical and modeling frameworks that underpin today’s exoplanet characterization efforts. His service to and leadership of the community has been extraordinary, including working as the Director of the University of Arizona Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, service on the Astro2020 and Planetary Science Decadal surveys, heavy involvement in pre-mission studies for the Large Ultraviolet Optical Infrared Surveyor (LUVOIR) and the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, and mentoring a plethora of students and early career scientists.
Dr. Catherine Neish of the University of Western Ontario and the Planetary Science Institute is awarded the 2026 Alexander Prize in recognition of her scientific, leadership, and collaborative contributions to planetary science. Dr. Neish’s research spans Earth, the Moon, Mars, and the icy satellites of the giant planets. She is a leading international expert on impact cratering on Saturn’s moon Titan, lunar impact melts, astrobiology, and radar studies of numerous planetary bodies. Dr. Neish’s past leadership of the Division for Planetary Sciences, most notably leading the organization through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and involvement on several NASA missions including Cassini, Dragonfly, and the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter as a member of the Miniature Radio-Frequency instrument team, illustrates the breadth and depth of her international collaborations. As associate director of the University of Western Ontario’s Institute for Earth and Space Exploration, she has overseen training for all students in the graduate collaborative specialization in planetary science. She continues to positively shape the careers of young scientists as the Graduate Chair of the University’s Department of Earth Sciences. Dr. Neish has advised many students both at her home institution and at institutions in the US, all of which is a testament to her acumen as a mentor and her contributions to the future of our field.
Dr. Tad Komacek of Oxford University is awarded one of two 2026 Harold C. Urey prizes in recognition of his pioneering research in planetary science, which has fundamentally advanced our understanding of planetary atmospheres within the solar system and beyond. Renowned for his depth, breadth, and originality, Dr. Komacek has produced landmark studies on the atmospheric dynamics of hot Jupiters and other extrasolar worlds, establishing definitive theoretical frameworks and scaling laws that now serve as cornerstones of the field. His innovative research encompasses both giant and terrestrial exoplanets, seamlessly integrating astrophysics, planetary science, and geophysics. Dr. Komacek was the first to uncover and quantitatively elucidate key processes, including hydrogen dissociation and recombination, that drive energy transport in exoplanet atmospheres. He has played leading roles in designing and interpreting transformative JWST observation campaigns, directly shaping the future of planetary and exoplanetary science. As a collaborative leader with exceptional technical expertise, Dr. Komacek’s vision and contributions have not only strengthened the scientific community, but also profoundly accelerated progress in planetary sciences and the exploration of worlds beyond our own.
Dr. Ali Bramson of Purdue University is awarded one of two 2026 Harold C. Urey prizes in recognition of her groundbreaking contributions to planetary science. Dr. Bramson’s research has fundamentally redefined our understanding of subsurface ice on Mars, leading to the discovery of massive, widespread buried ices at mid-latitudes. Her innovative integration of radar, geomorphology, and modeling has not only revealed new paradigms of Martian climate history, but directly shaped exploration strategies and priorities for future Mars missions. Dr. Bramson’s intellectual leadership extends to polar ice evolution on Mars, where she has pioneered studies of sublimation-driven layer formation and trough development. Her expertise and creativity in radar science, spanning analyses from Mars and lunar cryptomare deposits to hardware development for future missions, are driving the field forward with new technology and approaches. Dr. Bramson is now guiding mission teams and shaping international efforts exploring the sub-surface of objects across the solar system. Her breadth across planetary bodies and dedication to scientific advancement distinguish her as a visionary researcher.
Mr. Casey Dreier and Mr. Jack Kiraly of The Planetary Society are winners of the 2026 Harold Masursky Award for their exceptional service to planetary science and space exploration. Mr. Dreier is a leading expert on NASA’s budget, space policy, and the political economy of space exploration, known for delivering independent, data-driven analysis. As Director of Government Relations, Mr. Kiraly leads the organization’s advocacy efforts, builds relationships with policymakers, organizes public engagement events, and represents The Planetary Society in Washington. He aims to involve both the scientific community and the broader public in supporting space science and exploration. Together, they have been tireless, vocal advocates for NASA’s planetary science programs. Acting in response to proposed dramatic cuts to NASA’s science budget, they educated the community and general public on the budget situation and consequences for NASA’s leadership in solar system exploration. “Days of Action” provide a very practical way for concerned parties to contact their representatives with high impact. The Planetary Society worked with more than 20 partner organizations in the “Save NASA Science” coalition. They both have had a profoundly positive impact on planetary science.
Dr. James O’Donoghue of the University of Reading is awarded the 2026 Carl Sagan medal, which recognizes and honors outstanding communication by an active planetary scientist to the general public. Dr. O’Donoghue is an extraordinarily creative and effective communicator of topics in planetary science, while also being a recognized leader in observations of the upper atmospheres of the giant planets and an engaged member of the planetary science community. In parallel with maintaining a cutting-edge research program, he has produced nearly 100 educational animations focused on themes of space and planetary science, which have been collectively viewed over 400 million times across platforms. His imaginative animations convey intuition about complex scientific concepts in a clear and engaging way without losing scientific rigor. The reach of these materials has been further expanded through being incorporated into educational resources from the elementary school through university level and featured in museum and planetarium exhibits. Even beyond this, James has engaged extensively with in-person outreach at a variety of settings and has been featured in TV and radio interviews, such as the BBC and PBS Nova. He truly exemplifies the spirit of the Sagan Prize through the combination of his unique and impactful communication work with his scientific leadership.
Dr. Robin George Andrews is awarded the 2026 Jonathan Eberhart Planetary Sciences Journalism award, which recognizes distinguished popular writing in planetary science, for his piece entitled “A Planet Revealed,” published in September 2025 in Scientific American. The article provides a comprehensive exploration of NASA’s Juno mission and its revolutionary discoveries about Jupiter, chronicling how Juno has survived in Jupiter’s lethal radiation environment and fundamentally rewritten our understanding of the solar system’s largest planet. Dr. Andrews masterfully weaves the mission’s history with its scientific discoveries, drawing on interviews from a wide range of experts, including principal investigator Scott Bolton and project scientist Steve Levin. Complex concepts like metallic hydrogen, gravitational mapping, and tidal heating are made accessible to general readers, while stunning Juno imagery and detailed infographics bring Jupiter’s mysteries to life. The narrative is anchored by the mission’s namesake: Juno, Jupiter’s mythological wife who could see through clouds — a fitting metaphor for a spacecraft that has finally revealed what lies beneath.
The 2026 DPS prizes will be presented at the 58th Annual Division for Planetary Sciences Meeting, to be held 25 – 30 October 2026 in Spokane, WA.
Contacts:
Dr. Nathan Roth
DPS Press Officer
[email protected]
Dr. Scott Murchie
DPS Chair
[email protected]
More information about DPS prizes:
https://dps.aas.org/prizes
DPS 58th Annual Meeting, Spokane, WA, 25 – 30 October 2026:
https://aas.org/meetings/dps58