1. Neil Turok has held the Higgs Chair of Theoretical Physics at the University of Edinburgh since 2020, and has been director emeritus of the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics since 2019.
19 Facts About Neil Turok
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Neil Turok specializes in mathematical physics and early-universe physics, including the cosmological constant and a cyclic model for the universe.
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Turok was born on 16 November 1958 in Johannesburg, South Africa, to Mary Turok and Byelorussian-born Ben Turok, who were activists in the anti-apartheid movement and the African National Congress.
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Neil Turok was appointed Director of the Perimeter Institute in 2008.
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In 2020, Neil Turok was appointed as the Inaugural Higgs Chair of Theoretical Physics at the University of Edinburgh.
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Neil Turok has worked in a number of areas of mathematical physics and early universe physics, focusing on observational tests of fundamental physics in cosmology.
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In 2006, Steinhardt and Neil Turok showed how the cyclic model could naturally incorporate a mechanism for relaxing the cosmological constant to very small values, consistent with current observations.
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In 2007, Steinhardt and Neil Turok co-authored the popular science book Endless Universe.
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In 2003, Neil Turok founded the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences in Muizenberg, a postgraduate educational centre supporting the development of mathematics and science across the African continent.
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Neil Turok was awarded the 2008 TED Prize for his work in mathematical physics and in establishing the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences in Muizenberg.
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Neil Turok received a "Most Innovative People Award," for Social Innovation, at the World Summit on Innovation and Entrepreneurship in 2008.
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On 9 May 2008, Mike Lazaridis announced that Neil Turok would become the new Executive Director of the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics starting on 1 October 2008.
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In 2010 Neil Turok received a prize from the World Innovation Summit for Education in Qatar and an award from the South African Mathematical Society.
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In 2011 Neil Turok received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Ottawa.
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On 3 November 2011, Neil Turok was selected to deliver the Massey Lectures for the 2012 season.
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Neil Turok received an honorary doctorate from Heriot-Watt University in 2012.
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In 2012 Neil Turok was the recipient of the Lane Anderson Award for his book The Universe Within: From Quantum to Cosmos.
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Neil Turok was awarded the honorary degrees of Doctor of Science, honoris causa from UCLouvain, Saint Mary's University, the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and Stellenbosch University.
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Neil Turok was awarded the 2016 John Torrence Tate Award at the 2016 SPS Quadrennial Congress in San Francisco.