French physics society recognizes Blondel with 2004 research award
The Société Française de Physique has awarded the 2004 Jean Richard prize to Alain Blondel of the University of Geneva and the Ecole Polytechnique. The prize is given annually to a French researcher for his or her exceptional and original work in the field of theoretical or experimental physical sciences.
Blondel was a major driving force behind the phenomenal success of electroweak precision measurements at the Large Electron-Positron Collider (LEP), not least by pioneering the resonant depolarization technique of accurately measuring the beam energy. These measurements have probed the Standard Model to unprecedented precision. Blondel is now working on neutrino physics, thus continuing his contribution to electroweak physics.
German companies on display at CERN
For the first two days of March, CERN's main building was transformed into a showcase for German industry. Twenty-nine companies from sectors related to particle physics attended the ninth Germany at CERN exhibition, organized by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The exhibition enabled the companies to meet scientists, engineers and other potential purchasers.
PPARC welcomes new chief executive
Keith Mason, a leading space scientist, has been appointed as the new chief executive and deputy chair of the UK's Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC). Mason will take up the post on 1 August for a period of four years, succeeding Ian Halliday who retired as chief executive on 31 March.
Mason is now the head of University College London's Department of Space and Climate Physics and director at the Mullard Space Science Laboratory. He is also the UK's lead investigator for the Ultra-Violet/Optical Telescope on the NASA Swift space mission, which was launched last November to study the explosive phenomena of gamma-ray bursts. "It is an honour to have the opportunity to build on the legacy left by Ian Halliday," Mason commented following the announcement. "This is a time of great opportunity for the UK in astronomy, particle physics and space science."
Richard Wade, deputy chief executive and director of programmes at PPARC, will take over as interim chief executive and accounting officer for the period from 1 April to 31 July.