Professor David Payne elected as foreign member to one of the world's top science academies

The prestigious Russian Academy of Sciences has elected Professor David Payne as one of its foreign members. With just 240 non-Russian members, the RAS General Assembly elects only the most prominent foreign scientists recognized by the international scientific community. Professor Payne is one of a very small number in his field who have been given this significant position.

The Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) is among the oldest and most successful in Europe, with many of its members having made invaluable contributions to the world’s science base. For example, Academicians Nicolay Basov and Aleksandr Prokhorov were both awarded the Nobel Prize for their pioneering work on lasers. The RAS is the equivalent of the UK’s national academy of science, the Royal Society, but many research establishments in Russia report directly to it. A great deal of Russian government science funding is channelled through this immensely powerful organisation.

‘The RAS is one of the most exclusive and highly regarded clubs of scientists in the world and it is a great honour to be associated with it,’ comments Professor David Payne. ‘This is a fantastic opportunity to strengthen our relationship with leading Russian scientists who have an expertise in fields similar to those being studied at the ORC. It will be a great pleasure to work with some of the world’s best scientists to develop research in Europe.’

Professor Payne is a leading international researcher who is renowned for his pioneering contributions in many areas of optical fibre technology. His work has had a direct impact on worldwide telecommunications and laser technology and helped fuelled today’s information technology revolution.

David was received into the Academy at a special Meeting of the presidium (executive committee) at the Academy’s headquarters in Moscow last week (14 – 17 May 2007). During his visit he was welcomed at the world-leading Fibre Optics Research Centre, Russia’s principal research centre in the field.

Posted by Marketing Officer, on 23 May 2007