Professor Russell Cowburn receives the Katharine Burr Blodgett Medal and Prize for 25 years of sustained discovery and invention spanning nanotechnology, optics and magnetism. His work directly led to the creation of four spin-out companies and multiple patented, mature, field-validated products, demonstrating a tangible impact beyond fundamental research. The Institute of Physics recognizes Cowburn’s sustained contributions to applied physics and its commercialization. Orbyts also receives the Lawrence Bragg Medal and Prize for outstanding work empowering girls and students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds in physics education through research partnerships.
Cirac Honored for Founding Quantum Information Science
Professor J Ignacio Cirac received the Isaac Newton Medal and Lecture for contributions establishing the foundations of modern quantum information science, recognizing a career uniting theoretical insight with experimental vision. The Institute of Physics award acknowledges Cirac’s impact on both quantum physics and technology globally, extending beyond theoretical work to inspire practical applications. This distinction specifically highlights his role in shaping the field, rather than a single discovery, emphasizing the breadth and sustained nature of his influence.
The selection committee cited Cirac’s leadership as key to the development of quantum technologies, noting his ability to bridge the gap between fundamental research and tangible advancements. Reads the citation accompanying the award, highlighting the international recognition of his work. Professor J Ignacio Cirac wins for pioneering contributions that founded modern quantum information science, uniting profound theoretical insight, experimental vision, and exceptional scientific leadership shaping quantum physics and technology worldwide.
Alongside Cirac, Professor Myungshik Kim won the Joseph Thomson Medal and Prize for redefining nonclassicality as a physical resource, expanding quantum optics beyond traditional photonic systems to include mechanical, plasmonic and gravitational regimes. Professor Ofer Lahav was honored with the Fred Hoyle Medal and Prize for early adoption of artificial intelligence in astronomy, and for leading the Dark Energy Survey, which delivered precision cosmology advances.
These awards collectively demonstrate a commitment to recognizing diverse contributions within the broader physics community, from foundational theory to large-scale data analysis. Dr Tamara Clelford also received an award for 26 years of volunteer work with IOP committees, focused on increasing accessibility for physicists from under-represented backgrounds and industries.
Professor J C Séamus Davis’s work revealed macroscopic quantum phenomena and states of matter, earning him the Michael Faraday Medal and Prize. His discoveries extend quantum behavior beyond the microscopic realm previously thought to limit it.
Bohndiek to Lahav: Advancing Physics Across Diverse Fields
Professor Sarah Bohndiek’s work integrating light and sound for disease detection earned her the Rosalind Franklin Medal and Prize, recognizing a focus extending beyond initial diagnosis to clinical implementation and equitable access to healthcare. Bohndiek’s approach centers on early detection, a critical factor in improving patient outcomes, and the award specifically acknowledges her commitment to translating research into tangible benefits for all populations. This emphasis on equitable outcomes distinguishes her work within the field, where technological advancements do not always reach underserved communities.
Bethany Rothwell received the Mary Somerville Medal and Prize for her work championing the role of physics in cancer research, actively making proton therapy accessible to broader audiences through films, outreach programs and engagement at festivals and museums. Reuben John Chesterman’s contributions to the design and delivery of complex space instrumentation, supporting nationally significant missions, earned him the Business, Higher Education and National Research Facility Technician Award. Ethan Ellis, an apprentice, led work in advanced materials development, delivering commercial impact and forging links between industry and research.
Lines & Klobas: Early Career Cosmology & Many-Body System Insights
Natalie Lines’ work applies machine learning to large-scale astronomical surveys, specifically focusing on strong gravitational lensing, earning her the Jocelyn Bell Burnell Medal and Prize. Katja Klobas receives the James Clerk Maxwell Medal and Prize for her novel approach to characterizing the dynamics of interacting many-body systems, a complex area of condensed matter physics.
Klobas discovered new methods to microscopically explain emergent non-equilibrium phenomena, offering a deeper understanding of how collective behavior arises from the interactions of individual particles. Professor Paul Brewer’s work on ozone absorption cross-sections, recognized with the Edward Appleton Medal and Prize, ensures accurate and comparable measurements worldwide, resolving long-standing inconsistencies and enabling science-based decisions for improved air quality and environmental protection.
See today’s quantum computing news on Quantum Zeitgeist for the latest breakthroughs in qubits, hardware, algorithms, and industry deals.
