Calvin Howell Receives 2025 Francis Slack Award from the American Physical Society

Calvin R. Howell, Professor of Physics, was awarded the 2025 Francis Slack Award at this year’s Southeastern Section of the American Physical Society (SESAPS) Annual Meeting. The award, presented by the American Physical Society (APS), honors "Excellence in Service to Physics in the Southeast.”

Professor Howell’s research is in the area of experimental nuclear physics with emphasis on the quantum chromodynamics (QCD) description of low-energy nuclear phenomena, including structure properties of nucleons and nuclei and reaction dynamics in few-nucleon systems. His citation reads: “For four decades of distinguished service to the nuclear physics community in the Southeast in various leadership roles, including leadership as Director of the Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory, with a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; for supporting underrepresented groups in science, mentoring students and researchers at all levels, and for serving as an inspiring role model.”

First proposed in 1998 and named after Francis G. Slack, a distinguished Vanderbilt University scientist, the Francis Slack Award recognizes those who have worked unselfishly to strengthen and bring new research to the region, provide leadership to regional organizations like SESAPS, and carry out other services like organizing significant conferences or public outreach. 

This is the 26^th year since the award has been given out. Howell joins a distinguished community of nationally recognized physicists, including 2023 award recipient Duke Professor Roxanne Springer, who have all played a significant role in building and strengthening physics for the Southeast.