The American Physical Society (APS) announced that Derek Teaney, professor in Stony Brook University’s Department of Physics and Astronomy, is among the organization’s 2023 Fellows. This distinction recognizes Teaney as a leading physicist whose research and service as an educator have helped advance the frontiers of science and technology.
Teaney was honored for his pioneering work on the hydrodynamical description of the quark-gluon plasma created in relativistic heavy-ion collisions, and for important advances in the non-equilibrium dynamics of quantum chromodynamics.
Quantum chromodynamics describes the nearly massless particles called quarks and gluons that exist within the nucleus of every atom. When nuclei are crashed into each other at high speeds, these particles form an extremely hot and dense state of matter known as quark-gluon plasma, which existed a microsecond after the big bang. Teaney’s work has helped elucidate these collisions, painting a more complete picture of the quark-gluon plasma in the very early universe.
“I am exceptionally delighted that Professor Teaney has been recognized with this distinct honor by the American Physical Society, which is made to no more than one-half of one percent of the Society’s membership each year,” said Chang Kee Jung, Distinguished Professor and chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. “Besides his outstanding contributions to nuclear physics, Professor Teaney is a dedicated and caring educator. He is also a reliable member of the department who is always willing to serve the university. We are fortunate to have him.”
With a BS from Yale University and a PhD from Stony Brook, Teaney joined the Department of Physics and Astronomy in 2007 as a RIKEN Fellow. Since then, he has received multiple accolades including an Outstanding Junior Investigator award and a Sloan Fellowship.
The APS has named an annual cohort of fellows since 1921, and Teaney joins a long list of Stony Brook professors who have earned the title. He also joins his father, Dale Teaney, who became an APS Fellow in 1964. To see the full list of past and present honorees, visit the APS Fellows archive page.
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