Award for excellent solar research: Robert Kamlah receives the ESPD PhD Thesis Prize 2026
The ESPD Patricia Edwin PhD Thesis Prize honours Robert Kamlah’s research
Credit: AIP/SpikermannThe ESPD Patricia Edwin PhD Thesis Prize, which is given annually to recognise outstanding doctoral theses in the field of solar physics, has been awarded this year to Dr Robert Kamlah. The prize honours his high-resolution spectroscopic observations, through which he has significantly advanced our understanding of the formation and dynamics of sunspots.
The award recognises Robert Kamlah’s research. By combining innovative imaging techniques, he was able to demonstrate that filament-like structures in the chromosphere are early indicators of the evolution of sunspots. Furthermore, he developed a unique observational configuration for the Vacuum Tower Telescope (VTT), which significantly expanded the instrument’s field of view without compromising its ability to make high-resolution observations of the finest structures in the Sun’s environment.
Robert Kamlah’s research focuses on the formation, evolution and dynamics of magnetic structures on the Sun. His work focuses on sunspots and high-resolution observations of the solar atmosphere. In his research, he combines modern observational and image-processing techniques with the analysis of magnetic fields, plasma flows and solar flares to gain a better understanding of the activity of our central star and its effects.
“I am deeply honored to receive the European Solar Physics Division Patricia Edwin PhD Prize. With groundbreaking observational methods, solar physics is in an incredibly exciting era. Science is ultimately a team effort, so this recognition is a tribute to the fantastic collaboration with my colleagues at the AIP and our international partners, and a huge driver for me to continue exploring the dynamics of the Sun’s atmosphere.” says Robert Kamlah from the AIP.
Every year, the European Solar Physics Division (ESPD) of the European Physical Society (EPS) honours scientists who advance European solar physics through outstanding scientific achievements or exceptional commitment. The Patricia Edwin PhD Thesis Prize is awarded to early-career researchers who have successfully completed their PhD at a European research institution in the year prior to the award ceremony. The prize recognises doctoral theses that make an exceptional scientific contribution to solar physics.
Dr Robert Kamlah completed his PhD at the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP) in the field of cosmic magnetic fields and solar physics. Prior to this, he completed a Master’s degree in photonics at the Technical University of Applied Sciences in Wildau and a Master of Science in materials science at the University of Tor Vergata in Rome.
The ESPD Patricia Edwin PhD Thesis Prize honours Robert Kamlah’s research
Credit: AIP/SpikermannThe ESPD Patricia Edwin PhD Thesis Prize, which is given annually to recognise outstanding doctoral theses in the field of solar physics, has been awarded this year to Dr Robert Kamlah. The prize honours his high-resolution spectroscopic observations, through which he has significantly advanced our understanding of the formation and dynamics of sunspots.
The award recognises Robert Kamlah’s research. By combining innovative imaging techniques, he was able to demonstrate that filament-like structures in the chromosphere are early indicators of the evolution of sunspots. Furthermore, he developed a unique observational configuration for the Vacuum Tower Telescope (VTT), which significantly expanded the instrument’s field of view without compromising its ability to make high-resolution observations of the finest structures in the Sun’s environment.
Robert Kamlah’s research focuses on the formation, evolution and dynamics of magnetic structures on the Sun. His work focuses on sunspots and high-resolution observations of the solar atmosphere. In his research, he combines modern observational and image-processing techniques with the analysis of magnetic fields, plasma flows and solar flares to gain a better understanding of the activity of our central star and its effects.
“I am deeply honored to receive the European Solar Physics Division Patricia Edwin PhD Prize. With groundbreaking observational methods, solar physics is in an incredibly exciting era. Science is ultimately a team effort, so this recognition is a tribute to the fantastic collaboration with my colleagues at the AIP and our international partners, and a huge driver for me to continue exploring the dynamics of the Sun’s atmosphere.” says Robert Kamlah from the AIP.
Every year, the European Solar Physics Division (ESPD) of the European Physical Society (EPS) honours scientists who advance European solar physics through outstanding scientific achievements or exceptional commitment. The Patricia Edwin PhD Thesis Prize is awarded to early-career researchers who have successfully completed their PhD at a European research institution in the year prior to the award ceremony. The prize recognises doctoral theses that make an exceptional scientific contribution to solar physics.
Dr Robert Kamlah completed his PhD at the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP) in the field of cosmic magnetic fields and solar physics. Prior to this, he completed a Master’s degree in photonics at the Technical University of Applied Sciences in Wildau and a Master of Science in materials science at the University of Tor Vergata in Rome.
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The ESPD Patricia Edwin PhD Thesis Prize honours Robert Kamlah’s research
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