Maria Goeppert Mayer Award for outstanding achievement by a woman in physics
To recognize and enhance outstanding achievement by a woman physicist in the early years of her career, and to provide opportunities for her to present these achievements to others through public lectures in the spirit of Maria Goeppert Mayer. The award consists of $5,000 plus a travel allowance to provide opportunities for the recipient to give lectures in her field of physics at up to three institutions and at the meeting of the Society at which the award is bestowed and a certificate citing the contributions made by the recipient. The award will be presented annually.
Rules and eligibility
This award is to be given to a woman during the early years of her career, not later than seven years after the granting of the Ph.D. degree (excluding career interruptions), for scientific achievements that demonstrate her potential as an outstanding physicist. The lectures must be given at institutions within the United States or its possessions within two years after the award is made. Nominations are active for three years. The nominee must not have received her Ph.D. earlier than seven years (excluding career interruptions) prior to the nomination deadline.
Process and selection
The nomination package must include:
- A letter of not more than 5,000 characters evaluating the nominees qualifications.
In addition, the nomination should include:
- A biographical sketch.
- A list of the most important publications.
- At least two, but not more than four, seconding letters.
- Up to five reprints or preprints.
Selection Committee
- Shireen Adenwalla
- Diana Sachmpazidi
- Christopher Fasano
- Ruchi Mahajan
- Kayla Nguyen
Establishment and support
The award was established in 1985 through sponsorship by the General Electric Foundation (now the GE Fund) and generously endowed by Dr. Virginia Trimble in 2019.
Recent recipients
Kayla Nguyen
2026 recipient
For pioneering contributions to electron microscopy, including the co-invention of the electron microscope pixel array detector, imaging of negative capacitance in topological ferroelectrics, advances in electron ptychography, and efforts to democratize science.
Wennie Wang
2025 recipient
For outstanding contributions to the field of materials science, including pioneering research on defective transition metal oxides for energy sustainability, a commitment to broadening participation of underrepresented groups in computational materials science, and leadership and advocacy in the scientific community.
Alison Patteson
2024 recipient
For important contributions in characterizing the physics of living systems, including demonstrating how mechanics influences the collective behavior of bacteria and how intermediate filaments in a cell's cytoskeleton impact its mechanics, migration, and signaling.
Prineha Narang
2023 recipient
For pioneering the development of ab initio computational physics approaches to light-matter coupling and non-equilibrium dynamics and their application to the understanding, prediction, and design of quantum materials.
Blakesley Burkhart
2022 recipient
For outstanding contributions to theoretical astrophysics, elucidating the physics of interstellar turbulence and its impact on star formation on multiple spatial scales.
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.
Maria Goeppert Mayer Award for outstanding achievement by a woman in physics
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.