Mike Cates awarded the EPJE – Pierre-Gilles de Gennes Lecture Prize

The European Physical Journal E (EPJE) has awarded the Pierre-Gilles de Gennes Lecture Prize for outstanding contributions in the field of soft matter and biological physics for the second time. The 2011 prize, named after the Nobel laureate and EPJE founder de Gennes, goes to the physicist Mike Cates. The prize will be presented to Professor Cates at the 8th Liquid Matter Conference which takes place from 6-10 September 2011 in Vienna, Austria. Cates, the author of numerous articles in EPJE and a number of other related Springer journals, will give a lecture at this meeting.

Mike Cates has been a professor at Edinburgh University's School of Physics and Astronomy since 1995. He is well known for his statistical models of systems to investigate soft condensed matter – materials such as foams, engine oil and mayonnaise. His research focuses on the flow behavior of these materials under different conditions and forces. His findings are not only highly significant for research and industry, but also explain everyday 'phenomena', such as why ketchup is difficult to get out of the bottle.

In addition to conducting research, Professor Cates is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE), helping to promote research and teaching. His outstanding success in the field is reflected in the many awards and appointments he has received, including a Royal Society Research Professorship in 2007, one of the most prestigious academic appointments in the UK. He was made a Fellow of the Royal Society in the same year.

Provided by Springer