Chris Van de Walle Awarded Rahman Prize for Computational Physics

Chris Van de Walle, professor of materials at UC Santa Barbara, has been awarded the American Physical Society’s 2025 Aneesur Rahman Prize for Computational Physics. This prestigious award, APS's highest honor in the field, recognizes his contributions to first-principles methods for understanding the structural, electronic, and optoelectronic properties of materials, particularly point defects and interfaces.

Van de Walle's work has significantly impacted technologies like transistors, lasers, and novel qubits, with his approaches to material defects being widely adopted in research on quantum sensors and light-emitting diodes. "Throughout my career, I’ve placed an emphasis on identifying research areas that would meaningfully impact new technologies, and the prize is a wonderful affirmation that this investment has paid off,” said Van de Walle, who has been recognized as a Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate Analytics. He added, “The past recipients of the prize are scientists whom I greatly admire and who have had a major impact on physics, and I feel deeply honored to join their ranks."

Reflecting on his career, Van de Walle acknowledged the support of mentors and collaborators and expressed his gratitude for the opportunities he found in the U.S. since arriving from Belgium as a graduate student in 1982.

Van de Walle served on PDI’s Scientific Advisory Board from 2001 to 2009 while working at XEROX PARC before joining UC Santa Barbara.

Source: UC Santa Barbara