Source: C. Lewis Cocke, 785-532-1609, cocke@phys.ksu.edu
http://www.mediarelations.ksu.edu/WEB/News/MediaGuide/cockebio.htm
News release prepared by: Beth Bohn, 785-532-6415

Friday, September 17, 2004

PHYSICS PROFESSOR WINS STATE RESEARCH AWARD

MANHATTAN -- A Kansas State University distinguished professor of physics is being honored with the Olin Petefish Award in basic sciences from the University of Kansas for his internationally recognized work in ion-atom collisions and intense short laser pulses.

C. Lewis Cocke will receive the honor in October at a reception at KU.

Cocke is associate director of K-State's J.R. Macdonald Laboratory, an international center for studying atomic collisions. At the laboratory, he studies what happens to atoms when they are impacted by ions at high rates of speed. He also researches molecular and optical physics, offering insights into alternate energy sources.

His work has been supported by several sources, including the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation. Among his accomplishments are directing the development of the CRYEBIS ion source, a device capable of creating low-velocity, high charged ions, such as are encountered in stars and in fusion reactors.

Cocke joined K-State in 1969, was promoted to full professor in 1979 and became associate director of the J.R. Macdonald Laboratory in 1989. He earned K-State's highest academic rank of university distinguished professor in 1997. He is the author or co-author of more than 220 articles and four book chapters. He also has been invited to present his work numerous times nationally and internationally.

His work and teaching have earned him many honors, including the Conoco Distinguished Graduate Faculty Award, Max Planck Research Award and William L. Stamey Teaching Award. He also has served as a senior fellow with the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Germany. He is a fellow of the American Physical Society and serves as secretary-treasurer of the society's Division of Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics.

Cocke received a bachelor's degree from Haverford College and a doctorate from the California Institute of Technology.

The Olin Petefish Research Award is given in recognition of research achievement in the basic sciences that has had substantial impact and national and/or international interest. The research is characterized as either profoundly influencing later development in a field or as representing a productive record of significant research. The award is given for work in the basic sciences such as physics, chemistry, the biological sciences, basic behavioral sciences and mathematical sciences. The Petefish award is one of four Higuchi/Endowment Research Achievement Awards established in 1981 by the late Takeru Higuchi, KU distinguished professor of chemistry, along with his wife, Aya. They stipulated that faculty members at all Kansas regents institutions be eligible.

---

Kansas State University is a comprehensive, research, land-grant institution first serving students and the people of Kansas, and also the nation and the world.