Division of Astrophysics Fellowship
Fellowship in the American Physical Society is a great honor. In accordance with the APS Constitution, "there shall be elected to Fellowship only such Members who have contributed to the advancement of physics by independent, original research or who have rendered some other special service to the cause of the sciences." All APS members are invited to nominate deserving colleagues as potential Fellows of APS.
Rules and eligibility
Nominating a colleague for APS Fellowship is a way to commend them for excellence in physics and their service to the physics community.
To nominate a colleague for APS Fellowship, you and the additional nominating co-sponsor must be active APS members. The colleague you nominate must also be an active APS member.
Process and selection
To nominate a colleague for APS Fellowship, please include the following:
- The nominee's name
- The co-sponsor's name, and email address
- A 300 character suggested citation that does not include the nominee's name, gendered pronouns, or symbols, and begins with, "For..."
- A 2,500 character paragraph expanding on the citation to indicate the originality and significance of the contributions
- A PDF sponsor's recommendation letter
- The co-sponsor's recommendation letter, which must be uploaded by the co-sponsor
- The nominee's curriculum vitae (CV), which must include academic and employment history, professional honors, a list of principal publications only, and other significant contributions to physics
- Optional: Up to two additional PDF letters of support, which must be uploaded by the letter writers
Selection Committee
- Belinda Wilkes (Chair)
- Brian Fields
- Regina Caputo
- Michela Negro
- Carl Fields
Recent recipients
Matthew Geoffrey Baring
2024 recipient
For fundamental contributions to the understanding of magnetars and strong magnetic field QED processes therein, for the application of cosmic ray acceleration theory to blazars and supernova remnants, and for service to the high energy astrophysics community.
Alex Drlica-Wagner
2024 recipient
For critical contributions to observational cosmology in DES, DELVE, and LSST, including groundbreaking work in dark matter science with these surveys and leading the implementation of ultra-low noise skipper-CCD in astronomical instrumentation, and for mentoring the next generation of scientists.
Philip Fajardo Hopkins
2024 recipient
For major contributions to our theoretical understanding of galaxy formation and star formation and methods for computational astrophysics, and for mentoring the next generation of scientists.
Naoko Kurahashi Neilson
2024 recipient
For outstanding contributions and leadership in experimental neutrino physics to produce the first neutrino map of the Milky Way, and for strong service to improve the culture for women in physics, including the development of an active community of mid-career women in large physics collaborations.
Rachel Mandelbaum
2024 recipient
For the development of many techniques that have impacted the field of weak gravitational lensing, for discoveries in cosmology and galaxy formation using weak lensing, for international leadership in large cosmic surveys, and for thoughtful, inclusive mentorship of many early career scientists.
APS Honors recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of the global physics community. Guided by our core values, APS Honors encourages nominations that reflect the full range of talent, distinction, and experience in our field, and supports broad canvassing for professional achievement across diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and expertise.
Nominees for and holders of APS Honors (prizes, awards, and fellowship) and official leadership positions are expected to meet standards of professional conduct and integrity as described in the APS Ethics Standards. Violations of these standards may disqualify people from consideration or lead to revocation of honors or removal from office.