Prizes & Awards

GCCM Student and Dissertation Research Award

The 2026 APS GCCM Student and Dissertation Research Award will be awarded to recognize outstanding work by a researcher within two years (two years before or after) of PhD completion.

Nominations for the award are invited from the entire high-pressure science community and should include a cover letter from the nominator, up to two additional letters of support, one example of recent work (e.g. publication, conference proceedings), and the nominee’s CV. The recipient will be chosen annually, by a committee of GCCM members, based on scientific excellence, impact, and relevance to GCCM topical group science. It is strongly encouraged that award winners be GCCM members. Self-nominations are allowed with letters of support from a mentor/advisor.

The honor includes a $2,000 stipend. The recipient will be recognized at the March Meeting or GCCM conference and will give an invited presentation on their work.

Nominations should be sent to Sakun Duwal (sduwal@sandia.gov) with the subject line GCCM Student and Dissertation Research Award Nomination by June 5, 2025.

Past Winners

  • 2025: Matthew Brennan

  • 2021: Travis Volz 

  • 2019: Alison Saunders 

  • 2017: Will Bassett 

  • 2015: June Wicks 

  • 2013: Rick Krause


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 Guidelines. Violations of these standards may disqualify people from consideration or lead to revocation of honors or removal from office.