ExoMars 22 researcher Sara Motaghian is awarded 2021 Institute of Physics Jocelyn Bell Burnell Medal and Prize

The Institute of Physics (IOP) is the professional body and learned society for physics, and the leading body for practising physicists, in the UK and Ireland.

Its annual awards proudly reflect the wide variety of people, places, organisations and achievements that make physics such an exciting discipline.

The IOP awards celebrate physicists at every stage of their career; from those just starting out through to physicists at the peak of their careers, and those with a distinguished career behind them.

They also recognise and celebrate companies which are successful in the application of physics and innovation, as well as employers who demonstrate their commitment and contribution to scientific and engineering apprenticeship schemes.

Sara Motaghian has received their award for developing spectral mission software for ExoMars to expedite analysis and maximise scientific mission return, and her equity work leading Roving with Rosalind, inspiring thousands of children with ExoMars.

Sara said: ‘I am so honoured to be recognised for this medal, named after an incredible woman in science and accompanied by so many amazing previous winners.’

Congratulating this year’s Award winners, Institute of Physics President, Professor Sheila Rowan, said:

‘On behalf of the Institute of Physics, I warmly congratulate all of this year’s Award winners.

‘Each and every one of them has made a significant and positive impact in their profession, whether as a researcher, teacher, industrialist, technician or apprentice.

‘Recent events have underlined the absolute necessity to encourage and reward our scientists and those who teach and encourage future generations. We rely on their dedication and innovation to improve many aspects of the lives of individuals and of our wider society.’

Notes for editors

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The Institute of Physics (IOP)

The Institute of Physics (IOP) is the professional body and learned society for physics in the UK and Ireland. It seeks to raise public awareness and understanding of physics, inspire people to develop their knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of physics and support the development of a diverse and inclusive physics community. As a charity, it has a mission to ensure that physics delivers on its exceptional potential to benefit society.

The Institute of Physics (IOP) Awards

The IOP Awards proudly reflect the wide variety of people, places, organisations and achievements that make physics such an exciting discipline. They celebrate people at every stage of their career, from those just starting out through to those at their peak. They also recognise and celebrate companies which are successful in the application of physics and innovation, as well as employers that demonstrate their commitment and contribution to scientific and engineering apprenticeship schemes.

More information about the IOP Awards here