Birmingham physicists receive prestigious Institute of Physics Awards

Two University of Birmingham academics have clinched prestigious awards from the Institute of Physics for their outstanding contributions to science. Professor Bill Chaplin has been awarded the Fred Hoyle Medal and Prize, while Dr Curt von Keyserlingk has been awarded the James Clerk Maxwell Medal and Prize for early career research. The Fred Hoyle Medal and Prize was established in 2008 by the Institute of Physics for distinguished contributions to astrophysics, gravitational physics or cosmology. The medal is named after astronomer Fred Hoyle who formulated the theory of stellar nucleosynthesis. Professor Chaplin received the Medal for the revolutionary progress he has made in our understanding of the interiors of stars, in conjunction with his leadership of the solar-type asteroseismology programme of the NASA Kepler mission. Professor Chaplin has made major contributions to asteroseismology, the study of the normal modes of oscillation of stars, and the use of asteroseismic characterisation for exoplanet studies. Of his award, Professor Chaplin said: "I am incredibly honoured to have received this award.