CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Nadya Mason, a professor of physics at the University of Illinois, has been named a Standout Scholar for 2008 by the publication Diverse: Issues in Higher Education.
The award is given to 10 young researchers from various disciplines who have demonstrated outstanding abilities in research and teaching. They are profiled in the Jan 10 issue.
Mason's research explores electron correlations and coherence in various geometries of nanostructures. These studies have far-reaching implications in fields such as quantum computation where precise control of coherence is important for storing and retrieving information. She has made significant contributions in carbon nanotube research by developing techniques that allow different parts of the nanotube to be independently controlled.
Mason also was a recipient of a National Science Foundation CAREER award in 2007 and was named a Junior Fellow of the Harvard Society of Fellows in 2002.
Mason earned a bachelor's degree in physics at Harvard University and her doctorate in physics at Stanford University. She joined the U. of I. faculty in 2005.
Besides her academic commitments, she takes a deep interest in increasing the presence of under-represented people in the sciences.
Editor's note: To reach Nadya Mason, call 217-244-9114; e-mail: masonn@illinois.edu.