Dr. Joe DeMartini, the inaugural recipient of the Schweickart Prize, was honored at the 2026 Asteroids, Comets, Meteors (ACM) Conference with the naming of asteroid 20413 Josephdemartini in recognition of his contributions to asteroid research.
Joe received the inaugural Schweickart Prize in 2024 for “The Sunward NEO Surveillance and Early Twilight Detection (SUNSET) Collaboration”, a concept to detect near-Earth asteroids approaching from the direction of the Sun—one of the most challenging regions of the sky to observe. His proposal exemplified the Prize's mission to support bold, early-career ideas that strengthen planetary defense.
After receiving the Schweickart Prize, Joe completed his Ph.D. at the University of Maryland, and is now a postdoctoral researcher working with asteroid dynamicist Dr. Mikael Granvik at the University of Helsinki. His current research focuses on asteroid surfaces and interiors, particularly how tidal stresses influence their evolution.
“The Schweickart Prize proposal was one of the first steps I took towards developing an identity as a researcher. [...] Since winning, the Prize has helped me build collaborations, pursue research in asteroid survey science, find postdoctoral opportunities, and given me confidence to contribute to discussions about planetary defense. It has provided a foundation upon which I am building the career I dreamed of.”
Read more about Dr. DeMartini's award-winning SUNSET proposal and his selection as the inaugural Schweickart Prize recipient here.