Physicist Recognized as One of Region’s Top Young Scientists
Physicist Lucien Dupuy–whose work has captured international recognition--was one of six finalists to receive a Blavatnik Regional Award for Young Scientists, which honors outstanding postdoctoral scientists from research institutions across New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
The award, given by the Blavatnik Family Foundation, which funds some of the world’s leading researchers, and The New York Academy of Scientists, highlights early-career excellence in the categories of Life Sciences, Physical Sciences & Engineering, and Chemical Sciences.
Dupuy, the first recipient from Rutgers-Newark, was recognized for developing quantum-classical and machine learning simulations that elucidate how molecules respond to light, which is crucial to understanding diverse topics like DNA stability, photocatalysis, and energy conversion.
He has worked in the lab of Physics Professor Neepa Maitra, who nominated him for his work, which has attracted global attention from his scientific peers as well as commercial interest.
“Dr. Dupuy’s publications have garnered world-wide attention, with scientists from other universities in the US, including Princeton and Temple, and in France, as well as companies such as Tokyo Electronics, reaching out to learn more,’’ she wrote in her nomination letter.
“The originality, versatility, and creativity of Dr. Dupuy’s work, his excellent communication skills, together with the importance and difficulty of the problems he energetically addresses, indicate a tremendously promising career ahead,’’ she wrote.
The Blavatnik Regional Awards celebrate the most promising postdoctoral scientists in the Tri-State area’s academic institutions. This year’s honorees were selected from a highly competitive pool of 149 nominations representing 26 institutions.
A distinguished jury of leading regional scientists and engineers selected one laureate per category, each receiving a $30,000 unrestricted award, along with two Finalists per category, who will each receive $10,000 in unrestricted funds.
“I am very proud of what I achieved at Rutgers-Newark,’’ said Dupuy. “My two years here were transformative, fulfilling, and above all, happy.’’
The award announcement coincides with the National Postdoctoral Association’s 16th annual celebration of National Postdoc Appreciation Week, which recognizes the significant contributions that postdoctoral scholars make to scientific research and discovery.
“Postdoctoral researchers are the unsung heroes behind many of today’s scientific advances, and they play a critical role in the pipeline of talent and discovery in the sciences,’’ said Nicholas B. Dirks, The New York Academy of Sciences’ President and CEO. “Their dedication and innovation will continue to drive progress across disciplines — from medicine to engineering. As we celebrate National Postdoc Appreciation Week, the Academy is especially proud to recognize the 2025 Blavatnik Regional Awards Laureates and Finalists for their extraordinary achievements and exciting future contributions.”
The 2025 Blavatnik Regional Awards Laureates and Finalists will be honored on Tuesday, October 7, at the annual Blavatnik Awards Ceremony held at the American Museum of Natural History. Find a full list of the awardees here.
