Dr. Pavel Kovtun Awarded the 2026 CAP-CRM Prize in Theoretical and Mathematical Physics

The Department of Physics and Astronomy extends its enthusiastic congratulations to Dr. Pavel Kovtun on being awarded the prestigious 2026 CAP-CRM Prize in Theoretical and Mathematical Physics.

This premier national award is presented jointly by the Canadian Association of Physicists (CAP) and the Centre de recherches mathématiques (CRM) to recognize exceptional research excellence in theoretical and mathematical physics.

Dr. Kovtun was selected for the prize in recognition of his pioneering contributions establishing unexpected applications of the anti-de Sitter/conformal field theory (AdS/CFT) correspondence to the computation of viscosity, leading to the celebrated Kovtun–Son–Starinets bound, which revealed deep connections between gravity, quantum field theory, and fluid dynamics; and for his foundational work in relativistic hydrodynamics, and associated transport phenomena.

It is a privilege to be recognized for my work by CAP-CRM. I would like to thank all my mentors, colleagues, collaborators, and students over the years from whom I have learned so much. - Dr. Pavel Kovtun

The department is incredibly proud to have his world-class scholarship and leadership anchoring our theoretical physics community.

Please join us in celebrating Dr. Kovtun on this monumental achievement!

For more information: https://cap.ca/programs/recognitions/post-graduate-physicists/theoretical-mathematical-physics/previous-winners-tm/