Outstanding referee 2019 award to Aalto University physicists

Both professors have evaluated numerous manuscripts in the journals published by the Society: Physical Review B, Physical Review Applied, and Physical Review Letters. 

This year, Professors Törmä and Tretyakov are among the 143 referees recognised for their exceptional contributions to the review process. Editors selected the honorees based on the quality, number, and timeliness of their reports, from among the 71,000 scientists that provided feedback to researchers seeking publication in the American Physical Society’s journals. Since the launch of the program in 2008, seven members of the Aalto physicist community have received this honor. Earlier awardees are Patrick Rinke (2015), Grigoriy E. Volovik (2013), Martti Puska (2013), Nikolay B. Kopnin (2012), Mikko Alava (2011) and Risto Nieminen (2008). Read more about the APS Outstanding Referee Program.

“It is nice that credit is given to refereeing work, which is an invisible but essential part of progress in science”, says Törmä.

"Reviewing manuscripts and advising editors takes time, but it is an intellectually rewarding activity. It is a nice surprise to receive also a formal recognition", adds Tretyakov.

Päivi Törmä is an expert in quantum coherent dynamics and quantum many-body phenomena in designed nanosystems, combining theory and experiment on ultracold quantum gases and nanoplasmonics. Törmä leads the Quantum Dynamics group in the Department of Applied Physics at Aalto.

Sergei Tretyakov is an expert in radiophysics and engineering, specialising in electromagnetic field theory, complex media electromagnetics, and microwave engineering. His current research is focused on electromagnetics of artificial materials and surfaces (metamaterials and metasurfaces), from fundamentals to applications. Tretyakov leads his research group in the Department of Electronics and Nanoengineering.