Professor Michel Mayor, an Emeritus Professor, Department of Astronomy, University of Geneva and past Director of Geneva Observatory is President of the new Commission of Extrasolar Planets of the International Astronomical Union (IAU).

Among his recognitions, mention must be made of the E. Balzan International Prize awarded in 2002, the Einstein Medal in 2004 and last but not the least, the 2005 Shaw Prize for Astronomy. He is a foreign member of the French Academy of Sciences.

Professor Mayor pioneered in the nineties the search for exoplanets through precise radial velocity measurements. Together with his team he has a substantial share in the number of exoplanets detected so far. They detected in particular the first giant planet orbiting a solar-type star, 51 Pegasi. These discoveries have opened an entirely new exciting research area, both on the observational side and in theoretical studies. They are leading as well to major instrumental developments, in which the Geneva Observatory is deeply involved and plays a key-role.