Jonathan F. Reichert & Barbara Wolff-Reichert Award for Excellence in Advanced Laboratory Instruction
This award is to recognize and honor outstanding achievement in teaching, sustaining (for at least four years), and enhancing an advanced undergraduate laboratory course or courses at U.S. institutions. The course(s) should provide a selection of experiments in a range of the various interest areas of physics, for example atomic physics, electronics and optics.
The award consists of $5,000 plus travel expenses (up to $2,000) to attend an APS meeting at which the award is presented, and a certificate citing the achievement of the honoree. The honoree will be invited to present a lecture at that meeting. The award will be offered annually.
Rules and eligibility
The award will be given to an individual or a team of individuals who have taught, developed, and sustained an excellent advanced undergraduate physics laboratory course or courses for at least four years at an institution in the US. Some or all of this activity should have occurred within the five years prior to the nomination. The course(s) will lead upper-division students to experience a broad selection of experiments in the various interest areas of physics. This may include the development of experiment(s) reflecting current research.Nominations will be considered for three review cycles provided the nominator re-certifies the nomination before the next deadline.
Nominations are sought that confirm the fundamental role of the advanced laboratory course(s) in a physics department's curriculum, and which clearly show its impact on students and their subsequent careers in physics or applied physics. A successful nomination may also present evidence of the dissemination of the laboratory work to the broader physics community. Evidence of broad scope, excellence, and dissemination may include faculty/staff publications and workshops, student awards and publications, and other demonstrated student outcomes (as in preparation for undergraduate research, future employment, and acceptance and performance in graduate programs).
Process and selection
The nomination must include:
- A letter of not more than 5,000 characters evaluating the qualifications of the nominee(s)
- Evidence for the excellence and broad scope of the advanced laboratory course(s). For example: course syllabi, course materials, scanned photographs of the experimental set-ups, student reports or presentations, student/alumni evaluations
- A biographical sketch or curriculum vitae
- A list of the most important publications
- At least two, but not more than four, seconding letters not more than two pages each
- Up to five reprints or preprints
Selection Committee
- Susan Blessing (Chair)
- Brianne Gutmann
- Daniel Claes
- Gary White
Establishment and support
This award was established in 2012 and endowed with support from Jonathan F. Reichert and Barbara Wolff-Reichert.
Recent recipients
Jason D. Slinker
2025 recipient
For continuous physical measurement laboratory improvements, leveraging industrial and academic partnerships that enable innovative and diversified independent student projects, and giving rise to practical skillsets yielding outstanding student outcomes.
David W. Taylor
2025 recipient
For continuous physical measurement laboratory improvements, leveraging industrial and academic partnerships that enable innovative and diversified independent student projects, and giving rise to practical skillsets yielding outstanding student outcomes.
R. Seth Smith
2024 recipient
For decades of outstanding physics instruction, introducing undergraduates to advanced physics lab topics, for inspiring first-generation students to pursue graduate study and careers in physics, and for working with colleagues in the ALPhA community to improve laboratory instruction nationwide.
Laura Clarke
2023 recipient
For leadership and dedicated efforts in developing sustainable laboratory experiences and courses throughout the entire physics curriculum that address the needs of diverse students who are considering careers in both industry and graduate study.
Sean P. Robinson
2022 recipient
For leading and helping to develop Junior Lab, MIT's advanced physics laboratory, and for pedagogical excellence that extends to the broader advanced physics laboratory community.
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 Guidelines. Violations of these standards may disqualify people from consideration or lead to revocation of honors or removal from office.