Benjamin Simons facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Benjamin Simons
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| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | University of Cambridge |
| Known for | Mesoscopic physics |
| Awards | Maxwell Medal and Prize (2001) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Condensed matter theory |
| Institutions | Massachusetts Institute of Technology University of Cambridge |
| Doctoral advisor | J. M. F. Gunn |
Benjamin David Simons is a British scientist who studies physics. He is known as a theoretical physicist. This means he uses math and ideas to understand how things work. He does not usually do experiments in a lab.
Dr. Simons works in two main areas of physics. One is called theoretical condensed matter physics. This field looks at how materials behave. It studies things like solids, liquids, and other complex materials. His other area is biophysics. This is where physics is used to understand living things, like cells and biological systems.
Dr. Simons' Work and Roles
Dr. Simons is a very important professor at the University of Cambridge. He holds a special position called the Herchel Smith Chair in Physics. He works at the famous Cavendish Laboratory there.
In 2013, he became the head of a group called the Theory of Condensed Matter (TCM). This group studies the ideas behind how materials work. He is also a leader at the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute. This institute studies stem cells, which are special cells that can turn into many different types of cells. Since 2024, Dr. Simons has also been the Director of the Gurdon Institute. This institute does important research in developmental biology and cancer.
Awards and Achievements
Dr. Simons has received many important awards for his work. These awards show how much his research has helped science.
- In 2001, he was given the Maxwell Medal and Prize. This award comes from the Institute of Physics.
- In 2014, he received the Franklin Medal and Prize. This is another award from the Institute of Physics.
- In 2015, the Royal Society of the United Kingdom awarded him the Gabor Medal.
- In 2021, he was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very high honor for scientists in the UK.
About His Life
Benjamin Simons has two brothers, named Thomas and Joseph. His father, Professor John P. Simons, is also a professor at Oxford University. Dr. Simons is married and has two children.
