Prize Recipient

David Peak
Union College

Citation:

"For his research contributions in condensed matter physics, including defect production and atomic mixing in ion-irradiated metals, and diffusion controlled nucleation, and for his role in engaging undergraduate students in the research process through projects leading to publications and conference presentations."

Background:

David Peak is the Frank and Marie Louise Bailey Professor of Physics at Union College in Schenectady, NY. During the 1995 - 1996 school year he is on leave as Visiting Professor of Physics at Utah State University.

Dr. Peak hold a BS degree from SUNY New Paltz (Physics, 1965) and a Ph.D from SUNY Albany (Physics, 1969). He has been an Instructor of Physics at SUNYA, 1971-1975, Assistant through Full Professor of Physics at Union College, 1975 - Present, and E. Clairborne Robins Distinguished University Professor of Science at the University of Richmond, 1993. He has held research appointments at Princeton University (1978 - 1979), Argonne National Laboratory (1983 - 1984) and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (1986 - 1988).

Dr. Peak's research has resulted in numerous publications (many with undergraduate co-authors) and invited presentations. He is co-author (with Michael Frame) of the book, Chaos Under Control). He was a founding member (1984) of the present Council on Undergraduate Research and, since 1987, has been a Governor of the National Conferences on Undergraduate Research. Peak has served as a department chair, member of the Boards of Trustees of Union College and Dudley Observatory, and on the Sigma Xi National Committee on Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Education.