Mohit Randeria, PhD, professor of physics in the College of Arts and Sciences, has earned The Ohio State University 2023 Distinguished Scholar Award. Senior leadership in the Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge surprised Randeria with the honor at a recent virtual faculty meeting.   “I’m thrilled to get this news,” said Randeria upon learning of his award. “It’s a great honor but also very humbling.” 

Randeria is a condensed matter theorist whose research focuses on correlated and topological states of quantum matter, especially superconductivity and magnetism. He has been associated with the multidisciplinary Center for Emergent Materials, the NSF Materials Research Science and Engineering Center at Ohio State, since its inception 15 years ago, where his research focusses on novel magnetic materials and their interfaces. Recently, he led a major DARPA project, with a team of investigators from physics and materials science and engineering, focusing on quantum materials that harbor topological spin excitations that can serve as new platforms for magnetic memories.   

“Not only is Mohit widely recognized as one of the world’s leading experts in superconductivity,” said Peter Mohler, interim executive vice president for research, innovation and knowledge, “he has also played a crucial role in fostering multidisciplinary research at the university.”   

“The college is incredibly proud of all of your achievements, in particular your pioneering efforts in the field of superconductivity” said Chris Jaroniec, associate dean for research and creative expression in the College of Arts and Sciences, “as well as your excellence in teaching and mentorship.” 

“Mohit is an outstanding researcher, mentor, teacher, and colleague, and as one of the most distinguished scientists in quantum materials at Ohio State,” said physics department chair Michael Poirier. “Mohit’s amazing ability to fruitfully collaborate with experimental colleagues has led him to play a leading role in fostering the culture of multidisciplinary research at Ohio State.” 

“All of our colleagues who came together to put your nomination together were very enthusiastic to do so because your work is so strong,” added Poirier during the presentation. “Your hard work in doing what it takes to be a spectacular scholar and researcher, but also you step up without being asked when the department needs you.” 

In the nomination, Randeria’s colleagues said of him, “Professor Randeria is widely recognized as one of the world’s leading experts in superconductivity with a stellar reputation for his contributions to the fields of magnetic materials and topological states of matter. He is one of the most distinguished members of our large and highly successful quantum materials community and has played a crucial role in nucleating and fostering multidisciplinary research at Ohio State.” 

Randeria has been professor of Physics at Ohio State since 2004. He was elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in 2022. He was awarded the 2022 John Bardeen Prize for his pioneering theoretical contributions to the understanding of superconductivity in correlated quantum materials. Past winners of this major international award include four Nobel Laureates and nine members of the National Academy. He received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering at IIT Delhi, his master’s degree at Caltech, and his doctorate in theoretical physics at Cornell University. After post-doctoral research at Urbana-Champaign, he taught at Stony Brook and was on the staff of Argonne National Labs and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.   

The Distinguished Scholar Award is among the highest annual honors awarded at Ohio State. The university-level award honors six faculty members who demonstrate scholarly activity, conduct research or creative works that represent exceptional achievements in their fields and garner distinction for the university. 

Award recipients are nominated by their departments and chosen by a committee of senior faculty, including past award recipients. Distinguished Scholars receive an honorarium and a research grant to be used over the next three years. Learn more about previous Distinguished Scholar Award recipients.    

Quotes from Randeria’s nomination: 

“His profound and high-quality work embraces the close connection between rigorous theory work and experiments in the field of superconductivity. Randeria’s insightful work and enormous impact across multiple fields – both solid state materials and ultracold atomic gases.”  

“Randeria’s contributions to theoretical condensed matter physics over the years have been nothing short of phenomenal…I have particularly admired his ability to obtain rigorous results that both stand the test of time, and are of direct experimental applicability. This style, while inspirational, is hard to emulate.”  

“Mohit has been a wonderful advisor and mentor, having supervised 8 PhD students and co-supervised 12 postdoctoral fellows at OSU…I cannot think of anyone who is a nicer and more generous supervisor and mentor.”  

Read more: Mohit Randeria | 2023 | Distinguished Scholar Award | Ohio State (osu.edu)

Read more: 2023 Distinguished Scholar Awards | The Ohio State University (osu.edu)