The 2025 Physics Awards for Excellence

The recipients were:

In the category of External Professional Support:

Fortify Electrical Services

The LED lighting replacement project in Physics has been delivered to an exceptional standard by Fortify’s electrical engineers, under the expert management of Andrew and Gary. Their dedication, attention to detail and consistently pragmatic and pleasant approach throughout the project, have helped deliver a large complex project with minimal disruption for building occupants. Many Physics staff (via Physics Facilities Management) have taken time to pass on thanks and commendations with several commenting on how efficient, clean working, approachable and pleasant the team were in their work. Outstanding work worthy of a Physics Award for Excellence!

Ian Johnson (CIS)

Not only does he resolve issues quickly but also makes the process smooth and straightforward for everyone involved. Ian’s ability to deliver fast, effective solutions – often within very short timeframes – combined with his consistently positive attitude, make a significant difference to our daily work. His support enables others to succeed, and his contribution is vital to the overall effectiveness of our Department. Ian’s outstanding work deserves recognition.

In the category of Teaching:

Cameron Scott

Cameron has made an outstanding contribution to the Level 3 CMP workshops, demonstrating both subject expertise and genuine enthusiasm. His impact was immediately evident – students spontaneously cheered when he entered the room at the start of the first workshop, having appreciated his support earlier in the course. Cameron enriched the learning experience by incorporating his recent JACS paper into discussions on symmetry and properties, linking current research directly to course content. His approach has not only enhanced student engagement but also brought academic relevance and energy to the workshops.

In the category of Administrative Support:

Lisa Qiao

Lisa is an integral member of both QLM and CMP. This year, she played a key part in organising two large-scale events - Peter Hatton's retirement and 30 years of experimental QLM research in Durham - the success of these events was down to her. She is a friendly and hardworking person who always does her best to support all members of these research sections.

In the category of Computing Support:

Alastair Basden

As Head of the COSMA HPC facility, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication in managing all aspects of its operations. His hands-on approach, technical expertise, and efficient coordination have ensured that the facility consistently delivers reliable, high-quality support to the research community. His commitment and professionalism make him highly deserving of this award.

In the category of Advancing the EDI Agenda

Ery McPartland

As the co-lead of the IPPP EDI group, Ery went above and beyond organising fascinating sessions and discussions on topics such as ableism, LGBTQ+ issues, and also organised an EDI lecture series for masters students. This year Ery expanded the scope of EDI to also include mental health sessions such as craft and chat sessions.

In the category of Technical Support:

Spencer Davies

As an apprentice, Spencer has excelled over the past two years, representing CfAI in projects with the UKATC and through international collaborations with NARIT. He demonstrates outstanding attention to detail and has quickly developed expertise in Aluminium Optics. His contributions have advanced CfAI manufacturing capability and strengthened key partnerships at both national and international levels.

In the 'Other' category:

NAM 2025 Local Organising Committee

For an outstanding organisation of a national meeting with over a thousand attendees with a significant aspect of community outreach, engagement with the attendees, and, of course, a strong scientific programme.

In the category of Research Awards:

Astro: Roland Timmerman

Roland Timmerman has pushed both scientific and technical boundaries by developing a new technique to measure the energy output of supermassive black holes in galaxy clusters. This is thanks to his world leading expertise in high-resolution low-frequency radio observations, which has led to international recognition with invited talks on three different continents, and key contributing author for a Nature paper on "Black hole jets on the scale of the cosmic web" and a decadal review on high resolution imaging at low
frequencies. His pioneering work has opened key new avenues for investigating feedback between supermassive black holes and their galaxy cluster environments.

CfAI: Perrine Lognone

Perrine is at her second PDRA year after her PhD viva and, at this early stage of her career, she has already demonstrated outstanding talent with great initiative for her own projects on satellite optical communications; leadership skills, bringing her own ideas and developing them; she has obtained her own funding (Seedcorn Funding) and her networking skills has resulted in further collaborations with LAM and ONERA, in France. Her talent is above what is expected on an early career researcher and, with this
nomination I would like to appreciate both her remarkable character as a researcher and the value she brings to CfAI and Durham University.

IPPP: Matteo Marcoli 

For bringing energy, determination and skill to solving some of the most topical and cutting-edge problems in quantum chromodynamics - in developing techniques for higher order calculations and applying them to data from the Large Hadron Colliders. Matteo is involved in multiple projects - and in each case, he seems to be the one that is driving the project forward. Matteo has also been the ever-present "glue" behind the QCD journal club, assisted in organising major conferences such as SM@QCD, and in mentoring PhD students.

QLM: Jonathan Mortlock

Jonathan has been instrumental in the development of a quantum gas microscope for ultracold molecules – a novel apparatus capable of detecting individual molecules in an optical with single-site resolution. This high impact breakthrough unlocks many exciting opportunities to study quantum systems of many interacting particles. Additionally, Jonathan is tireless in his support of others, willingly giving his time to train and educate junior members of the group.