Honours and Recognition

Celebrating a legacy of dedication

For decades, the International Young Physicists’ Tournament has been shaped by people who have given their time, expertise and commitment to its development. Our honours celebrate those whose contributions have left a lasting mark on the Tournament — recognising exceptional achievement, long-standing service and leadership within the IYPT community. The IYPT is more than an annual competition. It is a community built across generations, sustained by people who return year after year to share their expertise, support young physicists and strengthen the Tournament. We honour those whose commitment spans decades — individuals who have become an enduring part of the IYPT story and whose contribution has helped shape the Tournament as it is today.

IYPT Honorary Membership

Recognising years of dedication

Long-standing service is at the heart of the IYPT community. To formally recognise those who have contributed to the Tournament over many years as Jurors or Team Leaders, the IYPT has established four levels of honorary membership. Each level marks a milestone in an individual’s journey with the Tournament — from a decade of service to a quarter of a century of dedication

IYPT Bronze Honorary Member (10+ years)

Eric Schertenleib

Farida Tahir

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Nirut Pussadee

Nirut Pussadee is a physicist and university educator whose work combines physics research, experimental science and education. As a lecturer and researcher at Chiang Mai University, she has extensive experience in experimental physics and has contributed to the development of students through hands-on scientific investigation. Her involvement in physics education and student experimental work reflects the central values of IYPT: curiosity, independent investigation, experimentation and scientific communication. Her academic background in biophysics and microfluidics further strengthens the connection between advanced scientific research and physics education.

Sandu Golcea

Mihály Hömöstrei

Mihály Hömöstrei has been one of the key figures in the Hungarian and international YPT community. He has served as an organizer and coach of the Hungarian Young Physicists’ Tournament and as Secretary General of IYPT. He was also the Lead Organizer of the 2024 IYPT in Budapest, contributing substantially to the successful organization of the international tournament. His work in physics education, student experimentation and competence development has been closely connected with the educational philosophy of IYPT and has helped strengthen the tournament as an international community.

Yung-Yuan Hsu

Yung-Yuan Hsu is an Associate Professor of Physics at National Taiwan Normal University and has contributed to the development of physics education through both academic research and the Young Physicists’ Tournament. His research background spans superconductivity, magnetism and ferroelectricity, while his professional work also includes a strong focus on IYPT education. Through his involvement in physics education and the academic community, he has helped connect the IYPT approach to rigorous scientific thinking with broader physics teaching and research.

………………………

Assen Kyuldjiev

A long-standing contributor to physics education and the Young Physicists’ Tournament movement in Bulgaria. He has been a member of the jury of the Bulgarian Young Physicists’ Tournament since its revival in 2000, helping to develop and support the national competition for generations of students. He served as an independent IYPT juror from 2011 to 2017 and represented Bulgaria on the International Organizing Committee (IOC) from 2011 to 2015, contributing to the international development and continuity of IYPT.

IYPT Silver Honorary Member (15+ years)

Stanislav Panoš

Stanislav Panoš has been a dedicated member of the Czech IYPT community since 2007. He served as a member and later Head of the Czech IYPT Committee, supporting the preparation and development of Czech teams. Between 2011 and 2017, he participated in IYPT as a Team Leader, Team Leader/Juror and Independent Juror, contributing his extensive experience in physics education and experimental physics to the international tournament. His long-term commitment has helped strengthen the Czech YPT programme and connect it with the wider IYPT community.

Gavin Jennings

Gavin Jennings has dedicated almost two decades to IYPT as a juror, Team Leader, jury chair and national representative. His students first participated in IYPT in 2006, and he has represented New Zealand at the tournament since 2007. He has served as New Zealand’s IOC representative since 2010 and has chaired international juries and participated in IYPT Finals on numerous occasions. In 2024, he was elected to the IYPT Executive Committee and subsequently led the Problem Selection Committee in 2025 and 2026. He is also coordinating the organization of IYPT 2027 in New Zealand, continuing his long-standing contribution to the international development of IYPT.

Daniel Keller

Daniel Keller has been actively involved in the Swiss Young Physicists’ Tournament and IYPT since 2005. As a physics teacher at MNG Rämibühl Zürich, he has coached generations of talented Swiss students through national SYPT competitions and IYPT preparation. He has represented Switzerland as a Team Leader and Team Leader/Juror and has served as an experienced juror at several IYPT editions. His roles have included Chair Juror and member of the Final Jury, combining extensive experience in physics education with a strong commitment to developing students through the IYPT format.

IYPT Gold Honorary Member (20+ years)

František Kundracik

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Alan Allinson

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

IYPT Platinum Honorary Member (25+ years)

Martin Plesch

.

.

.

.

Honourary Leadership

Leadership within the IYPT carries a responsibility that extends beyond individual terms of office. To recognise those who have dedicated significant periods of their careers to guiding the organisation, the IYPT confers honorary leadership roles upon former Presidents and Executive Committee members.

Honorary President

The title of Honorary President of IYPT recognises former Presidents who have served at least two terms and made a lasting contribution to the organisation.

Alan Allinson

.

.

.

.