Karin Öberg awarded the Pius XI Medal

Karin Öberg receives Pius XI Medal from Pope Leo XIV

Harvard Astronomy professor Karin Öberg was awarded the Pius XI Medal. The award was conferred by Pope Leo XIV at an audience with the Pontifical Academy of Sciences on September 24,2026. The medal recognizes Karin's exceptional scientific research and outstanding promise. Previous recipients include a long list of Nobel Laureates, and some prominent astrophysicists including Stephen Hawking, Allan Sandage, and (in an earlier version of the award) our very own Harlow Shapley.