Dr. Henryk Temkin Graduate and Undergraduate Materials Science Research Awards
Established in 2026, the Dr. Henryk Temkin Materials Science Research Awards support two students, one graduate and one undergraduate, who are undertaking research in the field of materials science and who demonstrate strong scientific and academic merit.
Each award provides $3000 to fund research materials, conference travel, or stipend. Selection criteria include research excellence as well as broader impacts. In line with Georgetown’s Jesuit values of contemplation in action and serving as people for others, awardees must be able to explain how their research benefits society broadly, beyond the direct impact within the field of materials science.
Brief Biography of Henryk Temkin
The awards were established in memory of Dr. Henryk Temkin, who was a Professor of Electrical Engineering at Colorado State (CSU) and Texas Tech Universities (TTU). At CSU, Dr. Temkin was the Rockwell-Anderson Professor of Electrical Engineering. At TTU, he held the Jack Maddox Distinguished Engineering Chair and also served as Director of the Nano Tech Center. Prior to becoming a professor, Dr. Temkin worked at Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill, NJ, where his research program focused on lasers for optical communications and crystal-growth methods for semiconductor devices. He did pioneering work on novel semiconductor optoelectronic emitters and detectors for emerging technologies for optical fiber interconnections. In 1985, Bell Labs awarded him the title of Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff for innovative work that included development of gas-source molecular-beam-epitaxy techniques for growing semiconductor heterostructures suitable for long-distance communication technologies.
In 2005, Dr. Temkin joined the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) as a program manager in the Microsystems Technology Office. His portfolio included ultraviolet-to-infrared lasers, sub-wavelength lasers, laser photo-acoustic spectroscopy (L-PAS), parametric optical processes and systems (POPS), efficient microwave infrared lasers (EMIL), deep ultraviolet avalanche photodetectors (DUVAP), and nanoscale architecture for coherent hyper optics sources (NACHOS). In 2008, DARPA awarded him the Secretary of Defense Award for Exceptional Public Service and a Distinguished Service Medal.
Dr. Temkin was elected a Fellow of IEEE for his outstanding contributions to the field of quantum-well lasers. Dr. Temkin’s work has led to advances in nanoscale engineered materials, lasers, detectors, ultraviolet light emitting diodes, and integrated optics. His work continues to advance electrooptic technology research through his 24 patents, over 500 archival publications, and his book on vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers.
Application and Selection Process
Georgetown undergraduate and graduate students engaging in materials science research are eligible to apply. A complete application includes:
- Applicant’s CV
- Research project description that includes a summary of the state of the art, a clear research
plan, and any preliminary results. (2 pages max) - Impact statement that explains how the research benefits society beyond the direct scientific impact. (1 page max)
- Letter of support from research advisor.
- Budget explaining how the funds will be used.
Applications will be evaluated by a committee of faculty members from the Physics and Chemistry Departments.