Nov 19, 2025
Prof. Igor Herbut awarded the Physik Preis Dresden 2025
f.l.t.r.: Prof. Jan Michael Rost, Prof. Igor Herbut, Prof. Gesche Pospiech, Prof. Carsten Timm.
On 18 November 2025, the Physik Preis Dresden 2025 was awarded to Prof. Igor Herbut from Simon Fraser University in Canada. The prize honors outstanding researchers whose work is of particular interest to the scientific community in Dresden. It aims to strengthen collaboration between the Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems (MPI-PKS) and the Department of Physics at TU Dresden, thereby enhancing Dresden’s appeal as a center of scientific excellence.
Prof. Herbut is considered one of the world’s leading theoretical physicists. His research combines advanced mathematical methods with deep physical insight. His work focuses on condensed matter physics, statistical physics, and field theory. A look at his extensive publication record reveals his dedication to tackling highly complex problems and his frequent collaborations with young scientists—supporting the next generation of researchers is of great importance to him.
Prof. Herbut has maintained close scientific ties with MPI-PKS for many years and collaborates with several research groups at TU Dresden. His regular visits to Dresden underscore his long-standing connection to the local scientific community. He thus embodies the mission of the Physik Preis Dresden, established by Prof. Peter Fulde: to highlight outstanding research of interest to MPI-PKS and TU Dresden and to foster strong, lasting scientific collaborations.
About the Physik Preis Dresden
The Physik Preis Dresden, endowed with 5,000 euros, was founded in 2015 by the Dresden physicist Prof Peter Fulde (1936-2024), the founding director of the MPI-PKS, and has been awarded annually to renowned scientists since 2017. The award winners are selected by a joint commission of the Dresden University of Technology and the MPI-PKS. In addition to the central criterion of scientific excellence, it is particularly important for the decision that the work of the award winners is of particular importance for the cooperation between the two DRESDEN-concept partners MPI-PKS and TUD and that their connection has been further strengthened in the long term.