Award

John H. Dillon Medal

Recognition consists of $5,000, up to $1,000 allowance for travel to the meeting of the Society at which the award is being presented, a bronze medallion, and a certificate citing the accomplishments of the recipient. It will be presented annually.

Rules and eligibility

The medal will be awarded to one person for outstanding accomplishment and unusual promise in research in polymer physics. Nominees who received their terminal degree (e.g. Ph.D.) less than 12 y before the nomination deadline are eligible. In the case of research career breaks due to military service, illness, caring for a child, dependent, or family member, eligibility will be extended by one year extension per life event with a maximum of two (2) events. In such cases, the nominator should send a separate one-sentence letter to the DPOLY Chair requesting an eligibility extension due to a research career break without specific details (do not include this information in the nomination letter). Nominations will be considered for three review cycles provided the nominator re-certifies the nomination before the next deadline.

Process and selection

The nomination package must include:

  • A letter of not more than 5,000 characters evaluating the qualifications of the nominee(s).

In addition, the nomination should include:

  • A biographical sketch.
  • A list of the most important publications.
  • At least two, but not more than four, seconding letters.
  • Up to five reprints or preprints.

There may be additional requirements for particular prizes and awards. Please read the rules carefully.

DPOLY executive committee will solicit and review the application packages for the John H. Dillon medal and recommend a candidate to the APS.

Selection Committee

  • Moon Park (Chair)
  • Enrique Gomez (Vice Chair)
  • Jian Qin
  • Vivek Prabhu

Establishment and support

From 1997 - 2023, the medal was sponsored by Elsevier, Oxford, UK., publishers of the journal, Polymer. We are currently working to establish an endowed fund that will sustainably support the medal into the future. If you would like to support the John H. Dillon Medal Fund, please donate today.

Recent recipients

Robert J. Hickey

2025 recipient

For pioneering work in creating nonequilibrium structured soft materials.

Charles E. Sing

2024 recipient

For pioneering advances in polyelectrolyte phase behavior and polymer dynamics using theory and computational modeling.

Vivek Sharma

2023 recipient

For fundamental advances toward a molecular-level understanding of non-equilibrium polymer dynamics and for developing methods to accurately measure extensional deformation of polymeric materials and interfacial flows.

Jian Qin

2022 recipient

For the advancement of analytical and computational tools in the thermodynamics and morphology of ionic or ion-containing polymeric materials.

Bryan W. Boudouris

2021 recipient

For fundamental insights connecting polymer structure with charge transport in free radical conducting polymers, organic electronics, and functional block copolymers.

See all recipients

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.

John H. Dillon Medal

Nominations deadline
June 3, 2025
Type
Award
Category
Early career and students
Sponsor
Elsevier
Amount
$5,000, up to $1,000 allowance for travel

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