Bharat Ratra Honored with APS Lilienfeld Prize

Ratra selected for contributions to physics and lecturing skills

Bharat Ratra was selected to receive the American Physical Society's 2025 Julius Edgar Lilienfeld Prize for his outstanding contributions to physics and exceptional lecturing skills.

Ratra is recognized for his pioneering research in cosmology and particle astrophysics, particularly his work on the quantum mechanics of inflation and dark energy dynamics, as well as his significant contributions to science education and public engagement at all levels.

"One of the amazing things about Dr. Ratra is that he can switch from working on some of the most profound, complex physics problems ever taken up on a Tuesday to explaining the very same ideas in everyday language to a roomful of eighth-graders on a Wednesday," said Tim Bolton, head of the physics department at K-State. "We are so grateful to have him on our faculty."

Ratra was presented with the prize, including $20,000 and a certificate citing his contributions, at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 30, 2025; he then delivered an invited talk at the APS Global Physics Summit in March.