Dr Rohit Chikkaraddy has been named as this year's recipient of the Henry Moseley Medal and Prize.
The Institute of Physics (IOP) Henry Moseley Medal and Prize is presented for exceptional early-career contributions to experimental physics. Dr Chikkaraddy has been recognised for constructing the world's tiniest optical cavity, making extreme light confinement at atomic scales possible. His imaginative and difficult experiments opened new avenues in light-matter coupling at the picoscale, providing new technological routes to see invisible mid-infrared light at room temperature, previously deemed inaccessible.
Dr Chikkaraddy joined the University of Birmingham's School of Physics and Astronomy in 2022. His work has been published in leading journals and has garnered more than 5,800 citations, a remarkable number for early-career research. His work laid the basis for an Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Impact Acceleration Account Starter Grant and additional large grants involving large-scale international collaborations.
Dr Chikkaraddy has previously won internationally competitive awards, including a Junior Research Fellowship from Trinity College, Cambridge, for his postdoctoral research, a British Council scholarship, and Nobel Lindau Foundation grants.
I am delighted that the IOP has recognised Rohit's remarkable achievements, which are of global importance and will have an impact on the possibilities within our discipline for many years to come.
In addition to his research, Dr. Chikkaraddy is a STEM Ambassador and is passionate about promoting equity in STEM. For over a decade, he has been mentoring students from historically underrepresented backgrounds and supporting them in securing higher education scholarships. He regularly delivers open lectures and hosts discussions to attract younger minds to science and create a more diverse and inclusive academic landscape.
Professor William Chaplin, Head of School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, said,
"I am delighted that the IOP has recognised Rohit's remarkable achievements, which are of global importance and will have an impact on the possibilities within our discipline for many years to come. This prize is a testament to his exceptional talent and creativity - I am excited to see what's next!"
The IOP is the professional body and learned society for physics and the leading body for practising physicists in the UK and Ireland. Its annual awards proudly reflect the variety of people, places, organisations and achievements that make physics such an exciting discipline.
Congratulating this year's Award winners, Institute of Physics President, Professor Sir Keith Burnett said,
"On behalf of the Institute of Physics, I want to congratulate all of this year's award winners.
"Today's world faces many challenges which physics will play an absolutely fundamental part in addressing, whether it's securing the future of our economy or the transition to sustainable energy production and net zero. Our award winners are in the vanguard of that work and each one has made a significant and positive impact in their profession, whether as a researcher, teacher, industrialist, technician or apprentice 'I hope they are incredibly proud of their achievements, they really should be.
"There is so much focus today on the opportunities generated by a career in physics and the potential our science has to transform our society and economy and I hope the stories of our winners will help to inspire future generations of scientists."
About the Institute of Physics (IOP)
The Institute of Physics (IOP) is the professional body and learned society for physics in the UK and Ireland. It seeks to raise public awareness and understanding of physics, inspire people to develop their knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of physics and support the development of a diverse and inclusive physics community. As a charity, it has a mission to ensure that physics delivers on its exceptional potential to benefit society.
The Institute of Physics (IOP) Awards proudly reflect the wide variety of people, places, organisations and achievements that make physics such an exciting discipline. They celebrate people at every stage of their career, from those just starting out through to those at their peak. They also recognise and celebratecompanies which are successful in the application of physics and innovation, as well as employersthat demonstrate their commitment and contribution to scientific and engineering apprenticeshipschemes.
More information about the IOP Awards here.
Assistant Professor in Physics
Staff profile for Dr Rohit Chikkaraddy
