Top award for nuclear physics chief
A PHYSICIST based at Daresbury Laboratory has picked up a top award for his field.
Professor John Simpson, head of the Science And Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC) nuclear physics group at Daresbury, has been awarded the Rutherford Medal And Prize for 2016 by the Institute Of Physics (IOP) for his outstanding contributions to nuclear physics.
The Rutherford Medal And Prize is awarded every two years to an outstanding nuclear physicist, and Professor Simpson now joins the ranks of other distinguished recipients including Nobel Prize winners Professor Peter Higgs, Sir John Cockcroft and Niels Bohr.
Professor Simpson, who is also a visiting professor at the University Of Liverpool, has received the award for his outstanding leadership in the development of gamma ray detector technologies, which have transformed the field of nuclear spectroscopy.
He is also recognised for his significant contributions to our understanding of the structure of atomic nuclei through his experimental nuclear physics research within the UK and internationally.
An STFC spokeswoman said Prof Simpson has played a leading role in international collaborations, most notably in the formation of a 12-country effort to build the AGATA detector, which led to unprecedented insights into nuclear structure.
He is also exploiting the instrumentation and technical advances resulting from these collaborations in areas of societal importance, particularly medical imaging, security systems, waste and environmental monitoring.
Prof Simpson said: “I’m delighted and honoured to be recognised by the Institute Of Physics with this award.
“I feel very grateful to those I have worked with, at STFC and across the UK, and through international collaborations, all of which are play- ing their part in revolutionising what we understand about nuclear structure today.”
Professor Susan Smith, head of Daresbury Laboratory, said: “I’m thrilled Prof Simpson has been awarded the Rutherford Award And Prize by the institute.
“This is well-deserved recognition of his outstanding scientific work that has contributed significantly to the health and vitality of worldleading nuclear physics research over the past four decades, and for his inspirational contributions that are revolutionising what we understand about nuclear structure today.”