David Wallace (physicist) facts for kids
Sir David James Wallace, born on October 7, 1945, is a well-known British physicist and a smart academic. He has held important leadership roles at universities. He was the Vice-Chancellor (like a university president) of Loughborough University from 1994 to 2005. Later, he became the Master of Churchill College, Cambridge from 2006 to 2014.
Quick facts for kids
Sir David Wallace
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David Wallace (left) and Peter Higgs
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| 6th Master of Churchill College, Cambridge | |
| In office 2006–2014 |
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| Preceded by | John Boyd |
| Succeeded by | Athene Donald |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
David James Wallace
7 October 1945 |
| Spouse |
Elizabeth Anne Yeats
(m. 1970) |
| Awards |
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| Education | Hawick High School |
| Alma mater | University of Edinburgh (BSc, PhD) |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | University of Cambridge Princeton University University of Southampton Loughborough University University of Edinburgh Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre Harrow School Institute of Physics |
| Thesis | Applications of current algebras and chiral symmetry breaking (1971) |
| Doctoral advisor | Peter Higgs |
| Doctoral students | Christopher Bishop Neil Gunther |
Contents
Early Life and Education
David Wallace was born on October 7, 1945. He grew up in Hawick, Scotland, where he attended Hawick High School. After high school, he went to the University of Edinburgh. There, he studied Mathematical Physics. He also earned his PhD in Elementary particle theory. His PhD supervisor was the famous physicist Peter Higgs.
Sir David Wallace's Career in Physics and Academia
After finishing his studies, Sir David Wallace worked as a postdoctoral researcher. He was a Harkness Fellow at Princeton University in the United States. In 1972, he became a physics lecturer at the University of Southampton in the UK.
Becoming a Professor and Leading Universities
In 1979, he became the fourth Tait Professor of Mathematical Physics at the University of Edinburgh. This was a very important position. He even won the James Clerk Maxwell Medal and Prize in 1980 for his work.
He also became the Director of the Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre (EPCC). This center focuses on advanced computing. For his work in computing, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1996.
Leadership Roles and Recognitions
Sir David Wallace has held many important roles. He was the Vice-Chancellor of Loughborough University from 1994 to 2006. This means he was in charge of the whole university. From 2006 to 2011, he directed the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences in Cambridge. This institute is a leading center for mathematical research.
He has also been the President of the Institute of Physics. This is a professional body for physicists. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Royal Academy of Engineering. These are groups that recognize top scientists and engineers. He was also a Deputy Lieutenant of Leicestershire.
The Sir David Wallace Lectures
In 2014, Loughborough University started a special series of public lectures. These lectures are named the Sir David Wallace lectures. They honor his contributions to the university and to science. Famous scientists like Cédric Villani and Michael Berry have given talks in this series.
Personal Life
Sir David Wallace married Elizabeth Yeats in 1970. They have a daughter named Sara.
