MEDARD W. WELCH AWARD

Paul S. Weiss, UCLA, “For pioneering contributions in adding the chemical dimension to nanolithography by controlling surface functionality from the submolecular to the macroscopic scales and developing the enabling technologies that have resulted” 

This award recognizes and encourages outstanding accomplishments in the fields of interest to AVS. The award consists of a cash award, a medal, a plaque, and an honorary lectureship at a regular session of the International Symposium. Bio

GAEDE-LANGMUIR AWARD

Sefik Suzer, Bikent University, Turkey, “For pioneering development of AC/Pulsed biasing during XPS measurements to extract local charge dynamics in solids and at solid/solid and solid/liquid interfaces”

This award recognizes outstanding discoveries and inventions in the fields of interest to AVS. The award consists of a cash award, a plaque, and an honorary lectureship at a regular session of the International Symposium. Bio

PETER MARK MEMORIAL AWARD

Naihao Chiang, University of Houston, “For the contribution to tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and its extension scanning ion-conductance microscopy”
 
This award recognizes outstanding theoretical or experimental work by an early career scientist or engineer. The award consists of a cash award, a plaque, and an honorary lectureship at a regular session of the International Symposium. Bio

2026 AVS FELLOWS

AVS Fellows are Platinum Members who have made sustained and outstanding technical contributions in areas of interest to AVS.

Ashleigh Baber, James Madison University
“For advanced UHV instrumentation and surface science undergraduate research through mentoring and external funding, and expanded visibility for undergraduate research through leadership and advocacy at AVS”

Parag Banerjee, University of Central Florida
“For pioneering early work in the emerging discipline of process-data engineering, coupling in situ data collection with machine learning to understand atomic layer deposition reactions, thermodynamics and thin film materials”

Mark D. Losego, Georgia Tech

“For pioneering contributions to understanding the kinetics and mechanisms of inorganic vapor infiltration of polymers to synthesize novel hybrid materials, and for dedicated service to the vapor phase processing community”

Dario Stacchiola, Brookhaven National Laboratory

“For pioneering contributions to in-situ surface chemistry through the development of multimodal ambient pressure characterization tools and for distinguished leadership and service to the AVS and surface science communities”

Zihua Zhu, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

“For outstanding contributions to the development and application of advanced SIMS methodologies addressing critical questions at solid–liquid interfaces, and dedicated mentorship and inspiration of next generation researchers” 

2026 AVS NATIONAL STUDENT AWARDEES

There are five (5) top-level named Graduate Student Awards and three (3) Graduate Research Awards, listed below. The recipients of these awards are determined after a general competition with all the graduate research applicants and a presentation to the Awards Committee. 
 

RUSSELL AND SIGURD VARIAN AWARD

The Russell and Sigurd Varian Award was established in 1982 to commemorate the pioneering work of Russell and Sigurd Varian. It is presented to recognize and encourage excellence in graduate studies in the sciences and technologies of interest to AVS. The award is supported by Agilent Technologies Vacuum Products Division. It consists of a cash award, a certificate, and reimbursed travel support to attend the International Symposium.

Sooho Choo, University of Minnesota
“For the creation of freestanding ultra-wide-bandgap CaSnO3 thin films using hybrid MBE with a BaO sacrificial layer”

NELLIE YEOH WHETTEN AWARD

The Nellie Yeoh Whetten Award was established in 1989, in the spirit of Nellie Yeoh Whetten, to recognize and encourage excellence by women in graduate studies in the sciences and technologies of interest to AVS. A fund to support the award was established by Timothy J. Whetten, friends and family of Nellie Yeoh Whetten, and AVS. The award consists of a cash award, a certificate, and reimbursed travel support to attend the International Symposium.

Molly McDonough, Pennsylvania State University
“Molecular beam epitaxy synthesis of III-V-based semiconductor structures, including InGaSb quantum dots, using machine learning techniques”

DOROTHY M. AND EARL S. HOFFMAN AWARD

The Dorothy M. and Earl S. Hoffman Award was established in 2002 to recognize and encourage excellence in graduate studies in the sciences and technologies of interest to AVS. It is funded by a bequest from Dorothy M. Hoffman, who was president of AVS in 1974 and held other positions of responsibility in the Society. The award consists of a cash award, a certificate, and reimbursed travel support to attend the International Symposium.

Peace Adegbite, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
“Surface and interface physics, electronic and magnetic behavior, and band structure of correlated oxide systems”

DOROTHY M. AND EARL S. HOFFMAN SCHOLARSHIPS

The Dorothy M. and Earl S. Hoffman Scholarships were established in 2002 to recognize and encourage excellence in graduate studies in the sciences and technologies of interest to AVS. They are funded by a bequest from Dorothy M. Hoffman. The scholarships consist of a cash award, a certificate, and reimbursed travel support to attend the International Symposium.

Abigail Jiang, Harvard University
“Synthesis of quantum materials via molecular bean epitaxy and understanding of how atomic-scale structure drives phase transitions in oxides”

Ali Zayaan Macknojia, University of North Texas
"For advanced surface engineering by developing adaptive nanostructured solid lubricant coatings and optimizing additive manufacturing for extreme tribological environments”

GRADUATE RESEARCH AWARDS

The Graduate Research Awards were established in 1984 to recognize and encourage excellence in graduate studies in the sciences and technologies of interest to AVS. Each consists of a cash award, a certificate, and reimbursed travel support to attend the International Symposium.

Liya Bi, University of California, San Diego
“For understanding chemical reactions, ligand adsorptions and molecular self-assemblies on surfaces with single-molecule vibrational spectroscopy and microscopy”





Shilpa Choyal, University of Illinois at Chicago
“Characterizing thin film materials using scanning probe microscopy and spatially resolved spectroscopy to elucidate nanoscale surface-activity relationships”





Amit Kumar, University of Georgia
“Developing plasmonic nanostructures and machine-learning-assisted SERS platforms for chemical, biological, and environmental sensing”

AVS FORTY YEAR CLUB

The Forty-Year Club consists of current AVS Platinum members who have been active in the Society for 40 years or more. 
For a complete list click here

For more information on any of the awards or recognition mention above, please contact Angela Klink, AVS, angela@avs.org.