Marshall N. Rosenbluth Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Award
Recognizes exceptional early-career scientists who have performed original thesis work of outstanding scientific quality and achievement in the area of plasma physics.
The award consists of $2,000, a certificate citing the contributions made by the recipient, and a travel reimbursement of up to $2,000 to attend the APS Division of Plasma Physics (DPP) meeting. Information on allowable travel expenses appears here.
The recipient will be asked to deliver an invited talk at the DPP meeting and will receive a meeting registration waiver.
The award will be presented annually.
Rules and eligibility
Nominations will be accepted for any doctoral student of a college or university in the United States or for a United States student abroad who has successfully passed his/her final thesis defense within the preceding 24 months of the current nomination deadline. The work to be considered must have been performed as part of the requirements for a doctoral degree. Nomination packages should include a copy of the candidate's thesis. Nominations will be considered for two review cycles provided the nominator re-certifies the nomination before the next deadline. Updated letters of support may be submitted for the second cycle.
Process and selection
The nomination package should include:
- APS Prizes and Awards nomination form (nominee’s contact information, thesis date).
- Your letter of not more than 1,000 words evaluating the nominee's qualifications for the award.
- At least two, but no more than four, seconding letters of not more than 1000 words each. Primary and seconding letters exceeding 1000 words will not be considered in the evaluation of nominees.
- The nominee's thesis.
- A list of the nominee's publications and presentations related to the thesis.
Selection Committee
- Scott Baalrud
- Carlos Paz-Soldan
- Zhihong Lin
- Howard Milchberg
- David Turnbull
Establishment and support
This award was established in 1985 (originally as the Simon Ramo Award and formerly as the Outstanding Doctoral Thesis in Plasma Physics Award) and endowed in 1997 by General Atomics Inc.
Recent recipients
Richard Nies
2026 recipient
For fundamental results on quasi-symmetric stellarator rotation, for the discovery of the toroidal secondary mode (TSM) and the geodesic extended mode (GEM), and for the demonstration of the importance of the TSM in the saturation of Ion-Temperature-Gradient-driven turbulence in toroidal devices
Jaron E. Shrock
2025 recipient
For the first demonstration of multi-GeV laser wakefield acceleration using a plasma waveguide in an all-optical scheme.
Eduardo Rodriguez Urretavizcaya
2024 recipient
For fundamental and path-breaking discoveries in the theory of quasisymmetric magnetic fields, and their applications to stellarators.
Ian Emanuel Ochs
2023 recipient
For developing rigorous constraints on charge extraction across magnetic fields and powerful theorems relating lower hybrid current drive to alpha channeling, and for studying unusual transport effects with diverse applications in multi-species magnetized plasmas.
Alison R. Christopherson
2022 recipient
For theories of fusion alpha heating and metrics to assess proximity to thermonuclear ignition in inertially confined plasmas, and for the development of a novel measurement of hot electron preheat and its spatial distribution in direct-drive laser fusion.
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.
Marshall N. Rosenbluth Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Award
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As approved by the Council of Representatives on April 10, 2025.
APS honors exceptional contributions to the physics community, including travel support for students and early career physicists.