Rewarding success
Two of our physicists have been awarded medals by the Royal Society for their outstanding contributions to science. Professor Sir James (Jim) Hough, Research Professor in Natural Philosophy, received the Bakerian Medal and Lecture for his world-leading work on suspensions systems for the test masses used in laser interferometry, pivotal to the successful detection of gravitational waves. Professor Miles Padgett, Vice-Principal for Research, was recognised for his leadership in the field of optics, and in particular for studies of light’s momentum. He was awarded the Rumford Medal for world-leading research on optical orbital momentum, including an angular form of the Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen quantum paradox confirming that angle is a quantum variable.
Professor Iain McInnes is a global leader in the field of arthritis research. He recently received the world’s highest honour awarded to a rheumatologist, the Carol Nachman Prize for Rheumatology. As Professor of Experimental Medicine and Director of the University’s Research Institute for Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, he has led numerous clinical trials and investigation programmes in inflammatory arthritis for more than two decades.
World-class athlete Laura Muir (BVMS 2018) and Professor of Basic Immunology Paul Garside were both honoured for their contribution to civic life by Glasgow’s Lord Provost earlier this year. Laura, who is world number one over 1500m as well as European and British record holder, received her award for sport. Paul is a world expert in immunology and received his award for his contribution to education.
You can read Jim Hough’s personal account of his 50-year search for gravitational waves here: Determined. Dedicated. Driven.