Hua Guo, a University of New Mexico professor with dual appointments in Departments of  Chemistry, and Physics and Astronomy, was elected and recognized recently as a Fellow in the American Physical Society (APS). Guo, who was recommended for Fellowship by the APS Division of Chemical Physics, becomes a member of an elite group with his election. The APS Fellows program is limited to no more than one half of one percent of its membership.

Guo was honored recently at the March APS meeting held in Denver, Colo.

“Election to APS Fellowship is peer recognition of outstanding contributions to physics,” Guo said. “With less than one half percent of the membership getting recognized, it’s truly an honor to get elected as an APS Fellow.”

Guo’s citation, which appears on his Fellowship certificate, reads:

“For the development of iterative methods for solving the nuclear Schrödinger equation and applications to molecular spectroscopy and dynamics of various gas phase and surface reactions.”

“It’s a very prestigious recognition and honor by your peers,” Guo said. “It’s also great recognition for our institution. UNM’s Physics Department is very strong with eight APS Fellows.”

Guo’s research centers in the area of theoretical and computationl studies of highly excited vibrational spectra and reaction dynamics of polyatomic molecular systems. These molecular systems are prevalent in gaseous environments such as interstellar clouds, atmospheres and in combustion. His group develops and applies quantum mechanical solutions to understand these fundamental processes. Guo’s research group is also interested in studying reaction mechanisms in both solution phase and enzymes.

Any active APS member is eligible for nomination and election to Fellowship. The criterion for election is exceptional contributions to the physics enterprise; e.g., outstanding physics research, important applications of physics, leadership in or service to physics, or significant contributions to physics education. Fellowship is a distinct honor signifying recognition by one's professional peers.