Eugene John Mele

Eugene John Mele is a Professor of Physics at the University of Pennsylvania, where he conducts research on quantum electric phenomena in condensed matter. He has been a faculty member since 1981, when he was appointed as an assistant professor, and was promoted to full professor in 1989. Since 2014, he has also served as visiting faculty at Loughborough University in the United Kingdom.

Mele received his Bachelor of Science from St. Joseph's University in 1972 and his Ph.D. in Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1978. Prior to joining the University of Pennsylvania, he worked as a research assistant at the Xerox Research Center in Webster, New York.

Dr. Mele's research focuses on condensed matter physics, particularly quantum phenomena in solid-state systems. He is best known for his collaborative work with Charles Kane on the quantum spin Hall effect in graphene, which led to the theoretical framework for time-reversal invariant topological insulators. This groundbreaking work has since been experimentally verified in HgTe quantum wells and has stimulated significant research interest in the field.

His publications have profoundly influenced the understanding of topological states of matter, with his most cited work being the 2005 Physical Review Letters paper "Quantum Spin Hall Effect in Graphene." His research spans theoretical condensed matter physics with applications to novel electronic materials.

• Franklin Medal (2015)
• BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Basic Sciences (2018)
• Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics (2019)
• John Scott Medal (2019)
• European Physical Society Condensed Matter Division Europhysics Prize (2010)
• Fellow of the American Physical Society (2001)
• Member of the National Academy of Sciences (2019)

Professor Mele has advised numerous doctoral students throughout his career, contributing to the education and development of the next generation of physicists. His research has been supported by various grants that have enabled significant advances in the understanding of topological materials. He continues to be an active researcher in the field of condensed matter physics.

His work on topological insulators has opened new avenues for research in quantum computing and spintronics, with potential applications in next-generation electronic devices.