Peter Schwerdtfeger awarded Rutherford Medal

A world-leading authority in quantum chemistry and physics, Massey Universitys Distinguished Professor Peter Schwerdtfeger is this years winner of New Zealands most prestigious science award, the $100,000 Rutherford Medal.

Professor Schwerdtfeger, originally from Germany, has been based at the Universitys Albany campus since 2003. He is the seventh Massey scholar to be selected by the Royal Society of New Zealand to receive the award in the past 10 years.

"Distinguished Professor Peter Schwerdtfeger is one of New Zealands most brilliant and internationally sought-after scientists," the Rutherford Medal selection panel says.

"His research has provided a deep insight into how atoms and molecules interact at the quantum level."

Professor Schwerdtfeger works on fundamental aspects of chemical and physical phenomena in atoms, molecules and condensed matter. His approach to science is truly interdisciplinary, ranging from chemistry to physics, computer science and mathematics.

He says he is honoured to receive the Rutherford Medal.

"Rutherford, for me, is one of the giants in science. Hes in the same category as Einstein, Dirac, Schrdinger, and Heisenberg. When I went through school and university, the name Rutherford was everywhere. Theres the Rutherford atomic model, and theres Rutherford scattering - and of course he was the first one to split the atom, and he discovered the proton. So the name - the person - Rutherford, means a lot to me. In that sense, Im honoured."

Born in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1955, and now a New Zealand citizen, Professor Schwerdtfeger spent his early years studying subjects that interested him.

"I came out of school and didnt know what to do, so I thought maybe Ill study chemistry so I went into chemistry, and then I did mathematics and physics - and because there were no student fees in Germany, you could study as long as you wanted. So I studied until I was 30, and by then I probably had four or five degrees."

For seven years, while he was studying, he drove taxis at night to cover his living costs, finishing his final shift the day before he flew to New Zealand to take up a new position. He credits that experience with giving him a broader view of the world.

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Peter Schwerdtfeger awarded Rutherford Medal