“Three years is a fleeting slice of time in terms of the universe and even for the University of Tartu, but for a novice manager, it seems like half a lifetime. The Estonian space centre is engaged in a wide range of activities, and it takes time to get to grips with all the different areas of work and networks, especially if you start your working period in a home office. But with the bright-eyed, competent and supportive team of Tartu Observatory, one can sail even stormier seas. As a result, space science, education, technology and business cooperation have progressed a lot, and the relationship with the university is increasingly synergistic and symbiotic,” says Antti Tamm, summing up his time as director of the institute so far. “We can expect exciting news from Tõravere also in the coming years. Fasten your seatbelts!” he adds.
Antti Tamm defended his doctoral thesis in astrophysics at the University of Tartu in 2006. Since 2005, he has worked at Tartu Observatory as a research fellow and senior research fellow, and since 2021 as an associate professor. His research interests include the formation and evolution of galaxies, galaxy structure, stellar populations in galaxies, the properties and distribution of dark matter, and cosmic dust.
He is a member of several international scientific organisations, such as the Javalambre Physics of the Accelerating Universe Astrophysical Survey and the International Astronomical Society. Antti Tamm is also an expert in the Space Programme Committee of the EU's Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, an advisor to the Space Programme Committee of the European Space Agency and a member of the Board of Directors of the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.
Antti Tamm's second three-year term of office starts on 1 April 2023.