The American Physical Society named one Penn School of Engineering and Applied Science professor and one Engineering School and School of Arts and Sciences professor to its 2025 cohort of fellows.
Materials Science and Engineering professor Ritesh Agarwal and Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics professor Douglas Jerolmack were recognized with the distinction for their contributions to physics research and innovation. The honor recognizes “outstanding advances in physics through original research and publication or significant innovative contributions in the application of physics to science and technology."
Each year, fewer than 0.5% of American Physical Society members are elected Fellows. According to APS's website, members qualify for the consideration through "exceptional original research and publication, significant innovative contributions in the application of physics to science and technology, remarkable advancements in the teaching of physics, and exemplary service and participation in APS activities."
Agarwal was cited by APS “for pioneering contributions to materials science by engineering novel electronic and photonic materials by combining quantum geometry and topology of bandstructures with precisely defined local defects and elucidation of their properties by developing new nonlinear photogalvanic spectroscopies.”
His research examines new electronic and phototonic materials for use in computing, sensing, and quantum technologies. Agarwal has also received recognition from the National Science Foundation and the Office of Naval Research for his work.
Jerolmack was recognized “for pioneering investigations into the universal behaviors governing the formation, failure, and flow of soft earth materials,” and for “outstanding leadership in building a soft earth geophysics community,” according to APS.
An experimental geophysicist, Jerolmack studies the physics of soft materials such as sand, mud, and ice to better understand Earth’s surface processes. He collaborates with roboticists and cognitive scientists on research related to planetary exploration and works with education specialists to advance awareness and involvement in STEM fields.
His group works to "elucidate the minimum number of ingredients that are required to explain physical phenomena," with particular focus on granular physics of fluid-driven sediment transport and "landform dynamics including dunes, river channels, deltas and fans."
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APS represents more than 50,000 members in academia, national laboratories, and industry worldwide. In 2022, two Penn faculty members — Mechanical Engineering professor Paulo Arratia and Physics professor Evelyn Thomson — were also elected as fellows of the APS.
