AUBURN, Ala. — Professor Edward Thomas Jr., from Auburn University’s Department of Physics, has been awarded the prestigious Star Dust Award by the International Dusty Plasma Community. The award was presented at the 10th International Conference on the Physics of Dusty Plasmas (ICPD10), held at Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands.
The award citation recognizes Dr. Thomas “for thirty years of stellar contributions (pioneering discoveries and inspired leadership) to the field” of dusty plasma physics—a branch of plasma science that investigates plasmas containing micrometer- or nanometer-sized particles. These complex systems are found in environments ranging from industrial processing to the rings of Saturn and interstellar space.
“I am deeply humbled to receive this recognition,” said Thomas. “This honor is truly shared with the many students, colleagues, and collaborators who have supported and enriched this journey. The dusty plasma community has been a remarkable group to grow with over the past three decades.”
Dr. Thomas has led groundbreaking research in the dynamics of magnetized dusty plasmas, including the development of novel experimental diagnostics such as Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). His leadership was also instrumental in the construction of the Magnetized Dusty Plasma Experiment (MDPX) —a world-class facility funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and housed at Auburn University. The MDPX is a cornerstone of the university’s Magnetized Plasma Research Laboratory (MPRL) , supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Science Foundation (NSF).
Throughout his career, Thomas has mentored over 50 undergraduate and graduate students and guided more than a dozen students to PhDs in plasma physics. His work has received continuous support from federal science agencies including the NSF’s CAREER, Major Research Instrumentation (MRI), and EPSCoR programs.
“This award celebrates not just past achievements but a future of continued exploration,” said Thomas. “I’m incredibly grateful to Auburn University and the College of Sciences and Mathematics for their unwavering support of our research mission.”
To learn more about dusty plasmas and Dr. Thomas’s work, visit Auburn University Physics Department.