PhD student awarded 2025 Cavendish Prize for study that ‘rewrites a law of physics’
“The opportunity to engage with brilliant researchers has been pivotal in shaping my scientific outlook and contributions”
A PhD student from St John’s has won a 2025 Cavendish Annual Thesis Prize for his achievements in quantum physics that could advance display and solar technology.
Pratyush Ghosh is one of three postgraduates at the University of Cambridge’s Cavendish Laboratory to be presented with the prize, which recognises outstanding achievements in computational, experimental and theoretical physics research conducted by PhD ĢƵذ.
Pratyush, who is in the lab group of Professor Akshay Rao, Professor of Physics at the Cavendish Laboratory, was first author of a 2024 study in which he and his fellow scientists discovered how to halt the quantum ‘dance' of atoms and electrons in carbon-based organic molecules.
The discovery paves the way for improved light-emitting molecules used in displays, and biomedical imaging for better disease detection – and rewrites a fundamental law of physics. The research was published in Nature in May 2024.
“Conducting my PhD research at Rao Group has been an extraordinary journey, said Pratyush. “The collaborative environment, access to cutting-edge facilities, and the opportunity to engage with brilliant researchers have been pivotal in shaping my scientific outlook and contributions.”
The winners of the Cavendish Annual Thesis Prize received their awards, which include £500 each, and presented their work at the Cavendish Graduate Student Conference on Wednesday 15 January.
Banner image: artist's illustration of an organic molecule's light emission property modulated by quantum dance of the atoms. Image credit: Pratyush Ghosh.
Published: 24/1/2025