November 7, 2025
The University of Tokyo Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU, WPI)
Professor Hitoshi Murayama of Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU, WPI) at the University of Tokyo has been named this year’s recipient of the American Physical Society Julius Edgar Lilienfeld Prize.
The Julius Edgar Lilienfeld Prize recognizes outstanding contributions to physics and exceptional skills in lecturing to diverse audiences. It was established in 1988 under the terms of a bequest of Beatric Lilienfeld, in memory of her husband, Julius Edgar Lilienfeld, who was an electrical engineer and physicist famous for the first patent on the field-electric transistor. Past recipients include Stephen Hawking for his prediction that black holes should emit black body radiation and evaporate, Alan Guth for his proposal of the inflationary universe, and 2017 Nobel Laureate Kip Thorne for his role in the discovery of gravitational waves.
“It is intimidating to see all the big names of past recipients! I am all the more honored given that this is a prize not from Divisions of Particles and Fields or Astrophysics I belong to, but from the entire American Physical Society. It is a great encouragement to my activities in research and communications,” said Murayama.
Murayama is being recognized for his “contributions to theoretical and experimental particle physics, as well as inspirational public outreach and effective science advocacy."
Kavli IPMU Director Jun’ichi Yokoyama also made the following comment.
"Congratulations Hitoshi! Not only has Hitoshi made significant contributions to particle phenomenology, but he has also spearheaded major projects in cosmic observation. After 15 years of hard work, the Prime Focus Spectrograph has been mounted on the Subaru Telescope and has commenced observations. Researchers from around the world are now eagerly waiting for what new things the PFS can tell us about the universe. Furthermore, as the inaugural Director of Kavli IPMU, Hitoshi engaged in a diverse range of activities including lectures and book publications, in order to effectively promote physics to the public while significantly enhancing the Kavli IPMU name. The Lilienfeld Prize, which honors outstanding achievements in both research and public outreach, is truly a fitting award for him, and I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations," Yokoyama said.
About Hitoshi Murayama
Education and Experience
1991 PhD in Theoretical Physics, The University of Tokyo
1991 Research Associate, Tohoku University
1993 Postdoctoral Fellow, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
1995 Assistant Professor of Physics, University of California, Berkeley
1998 Associate Professor of Physics, University of California, Berkeley
2000 Professor of Physics, University of California, Berkeley
2004 MacAdams Professor of Physics, University of California, Berkeley
2007 - 2018 Founding Director, Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU, WPI), The University of Tokyo
2008 Project Professor, Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU, WPI), The University of Tokyo
2018 Professor, Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU, WPI), The University of Tokyo
2019 University Professor, Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU, WPI), The University of Tokyo, and Hamamatsu Professor
Awards
2002 Nishinomiya Yukawa Commemoration Prize in Theoretical Physics
2003 Fellow of American Physical Society
2011 Japanese Paperback Grand Prize, “What is the Universe made of?”
2011 Associate member, Japan Science Council
2013 Member of American Academy of Arts and Sciences
2016 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics (as a KamLAND member)
2017 100 influencers in the world, Einstein Legacy Project
2017 Humboldt Research Award
2017 Science Program Prize, Kenjiro Takayanagi Foundation, “Hitoshi Murayama's Great Adventure in Space”
2022 Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science
2024 Miller Senior Fellowship 2024
2025 25th Particle Physics Medal
Related links
About the Julius Edgar Lilienfeld Prize
