An expert in quantum technology and dark matter from The University of Western Australia has been awarded a prestigious national prize for his outstanding contribution to physics.

Professor Michael Tobar, from UWA’s School of Physics, Mathematics and Computing and director of the Quantum Technologies and Dark Matter Research Lab, has been awarded the Harrie Massey Medal and Prize.

“I’m honoured to have been recognised with this award by my peers,” Professor Tobar said.

“I’d like to thank all my colleagues at the Quantum Technologies and Dark Matter Research Lab and research team at UWA who have been with me throughout my academic journey.”

Professor Tobar created and undertook numerous new precision measurement techniques and experiments in the field of time and frequency, and low temperature quantum physics, with the goal of solving some of the biggest questions in fundamental physics. Technology he helped develop has been adapted for the commercial sector.

The biennial award recognises outstanding contributions to physics made by an Australian citizen working anywhere in the world, or by an Australian resident for work carried out in Australia.

Nominees are evaluated on the excellence and impact of their contributions to physics assessed by publications, prestigious presentations; record of patents and knowledge transfer; and involvement in scientific leadership.

The Massey Medal is a gift of the Institute of Physics in the UK to the Australian Institute of Physics and will be presented to Professor Tobar at its congress in December.

Professor Tobar was awarded a Laureate Fellowship by the Australian Research Council and was 2010 Western Australian Scientist of the Year. He is the first physicist  at UWA to have received the Massey Medal since the award was established in 1990.