Blusson QMI Deputy Scientific Director and Professor at UBC Physics & Astronomy Marcel Franz has been awarded the 2024 CAP/DCMMP Brockhouse Medal by the Canadian Association of Physicists (CAP).
Image: Marcel Franz, Investigator, Blusson QMI.
Franz has received the Medal in recognition of his work on topological superconducting and low-dimensional materials, as well as theoretical advances in the physics of Majorana fermions under strong interactions.
“I’m honoured to receive the Brockhouse Medal from the Canadian Association of Physicists. I extend my heartfelt appreciation to members of the physics community for this recognition, to my esteemed colleagues and collaborators, and to my group of talented students and postdocs whose drive and commitment to advancing science inspire me every day,” said Franz.
An internationally recognized theoretical physicist, Franz has made major contributions to the field of condensed matter physics. Following his foundational work in high-temperature superconductivity, he pioneered new ideas in the fields of graphene and topological quantum matter. These achievements, together with his more recent work on twisted topological superconductors, have brought forward new ways of looking at quantum materials as well as new concepts for electronic devices.
“Marcel’s visionary work has significantly advanced our understanding of quantum materials, opening up new possibilities for radical technological transformation while enhancing Canada’s position as a global leader in quantum materials research. His leadership has been crucial in making our QMI community a robust environment for conducting innovative research, but also fostering a culture of close collaboration and mentorship,” said Blusson QMI Scientific Director Andrea Damascelli.
Franz’s work has been recognized by numerous scholarly accolades, including fellowships from the Royal Society of Canada, the American Physical Society, and the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research’s (CIFAR) Quantum Materials program. He has also received a Killam Research Fellowship and a Sloan Research Fellowship.
The Brockhouse Medal, sponsored jointly by the Division of Condensed Matter and Materials Physics (DCMMP) and CAP, recognizes outstanding experimental or theoretical contributions to condensed matter and materials physics. It is named in honour of Bertram Brockhouse, whose outstanding contributions to research in condensed matter physics in Canada were recognized by the 1994 Nobel Prize for Physics.
The Canadian Association of Physicists, founded in 1945, is a professional association representing over 1,600 individual physicists and physics students in Canada, the U.S. and overseas, as well as a number of corporate, institutional, and departmental members. In addition to its learned activities, the CAP, through its charitable arm – the CAP Foundation, also undertakes a number of activities intended to encourage students to pursue a career in physics.
Read more about Marcel Franz here.
Learn more about recent collaborative research outcomes here.
