Ventsislav K. Valev, Professor of Physics – Laser Nanoscience and Associate Dean (Research) in the Faculty of Science at the University of Bath, has been elected a Fellow of the American Physical Society (APS), a highly selective distinction for exceptional contributions to physics and to the physics community.

Professor Valev has been elected through the APS Division of Laser Science (DLS) in recognition of his pioneering work on nonlinear chiroptical nano/meta-materials and for contributing to the discovery of nonlinear chiroptical scattering effects.

APS Fellowship is a highly selective form of professional recognition. No more than one-half of one percent of APS members, excluding student members, may be elected Fellows in any given year. APS is a global professional society with members around the world, and nearly a quarter of its membership is based outside the United States, reflecting the international breadth of the Society and the community from which Fellows are selected.

Fellows are recognised by their professional peers for significant contributions to physics, including advances through original research and publication, innovative applications of physics, contributions to physics education, or service and participation in the activities of the Society.

The selectivity is also reflected at the level of the Division of Laser Science. Only a small number of DLS members are elected APS Fellows in any given year. Recent DLS cohorts included three Fellows in 2022, two in 2024 and three in 2025. Professor Valev was nominated through the APS Division of Laser Science, which brings together researchers working across laser science and related areas of physics.

Professor Jianzhong Wu, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of Bath, said:

Ventsislav’s election as a Fellow of the American Physical Society is a prestigious recognition of his pioneering contributions to nonlinear chiroptical nanomaterials and the wider field of laser science. It is also a testament to the internationally leading research taking place at Bath and to the creativity and ambition of our research community.

Professor Valev’s work has resulted in approximately 130 research papers, many appearing in top scientific journals. His contribution has been recognised with Fellowships of the Institute of Physics, the Royal Society of Chemistry, SPIE and Optica. His team was awarded the 2022 Horizon Prize from the Faraday Division of the Royal Society of Chemistry and in 2023 he received (jointly) the Thomas Young Medal of the Institute of Physics.

He has communicated his passion for physics to the general public through interviews (on television, radio and online), articles and over 80 visits to primary schools, for which he was awarded the Vice-Chancellor's Award for Public Engagement with Research in 2018.