Andreas Acrivos Dissertation Award in Fluid Dynamics
This award recognizes exceptional early-career scientists who have performed original doctoral thesis work of outstanding scientific quality and achievement in the area of fluid dynamics. The annual award consists of $1,500, a certificate, travel reimbursement, a registration waiver to attend the annual meeting of the Division of Fluid Dynamics to give an invited talk and accept the award.
Rules and eligibility
Nominations will be accepted for any doctoral student studying at a college or university. The work to be considered must have been accomplished as part of the requirements for a doctoral degree.
First-time nominees must have completed their thesis during the previous calendar year, or by March 31 of the year of the award. A dissertation is "complete" when formally accepted by the nominee's graduate school.
An unsuccessful nominee can be nominated again for a second and final time in the next consecutive year. A new nomination package must be submitted online to be considered for a second year; candidates are not automatically carried over. The nomination letter should clearly state that the candidate was nominated the previous year.
Process and selection
- APS Prizes and Awards nomination form (nominee’s contact information, thesis date).
- Full copy of the nominee’s Ph.D. thesis.
- A thesis summary of maximum five pages (including figures) prepared by the nominee.
- A complete curriculum vitae of the nominee.
- A scanned signed nomination letter from the thesis advisor. This letter should describe (a) the specific research contributions of the nominee, and (b) the role of the nominee in writing any parts of the thesis that have been published or submitted for publication (please identify these parts of the thesis).
- At least two letters, but not more than three, seconding the nomination. At least one letter must be from a person who is not from the nominee's PhD granting institution.
Selection Committee
- Gwynn Elfring
- Eric Johnsen
- Fabien Evrard
- Monica Wilhelmus
- Ivan Christov
- Cecilia Huertas-Cerdeira
- Emmanuel Villermaux
Establishment and support
The award was established in 1998 to honor the many outstanding contributions to fluid mechanics of Dr. Andreas Acrivos, particularly his years of distinguished editorship of Physics of Fluids. It is supported by donations from members and friends of the Division of Fluid Dynamics.
Recent recipients
Michael J. Wadas
2025 recipient
For an impressive theoretical, computational, and experimental analysis of shocked material interfaces and vortex rings, including a scaling of shock-generated vortex rings extending classical vortex ring theory to compressible, variable-density flows and a plausible mechanism describing structure formation in Supernova 1987A.
Anuj Kumar
2024 recipient
For deep insight into the Navier-Stokes equations using novel analytical methods, establishing rigorous bounds for optimal turbulent transport, and bridging applied mathematics with fluid flow physics.
Karol Bacik
2023 recipient
For an elegant study of dune-dune repulsion and dune-obstacle interaction using laboratory experiments, data analysis, and mathematical modeling, elucidating the intricate feedback between sediment dynamics and fluid mechanics.
Daphné Lemasquerier
2022 recipient
For an insightful and comprehensive study, based on innovative and elegant laboratory experiments, numerical analysis, and theoretical modeling, of the non-linear dynamics of Jupiter, including its shallow vortices, deep jets, and their complex interactions.
Wai Hong Ronald Chan
2021 recipient
For developing a novel theoretical and computational framework which established fundamental insights into the turbulent bubble breakup cascade in oceanic breaking waves.
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.
Andreas Acrivos Dissertation Award in Fluid Dynamics
Related
Prepare your nomination materials and review the submission process to recognize your colleagues and students.
Prepare your Fellowship nomination materials and review the submission process.
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.