Peace Adegbite, a doctoral student in physics at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL), the 2026 Dorothy M. and Earl S. Hoffman Award from the American Vacuum Society (AVS). The award recognizes and encourages excellence in continuing graduate studies.
Adegbite collaborates with Peter Dowben, Charles Bessey Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, on multiple projects, including Nebraska’s Emergent Quantum Materials and Technologies (EQUATE). She recently received the university’s 2025-26 Outstanding Graduate Research and Creative Activity (ORCA) Award, which he nominated her for.
Dowben said she discovered a super efficient, long-lived porous oxide nanoparticle down conversion—one of two discoveries.
“Peace is a truly exceptional graduate student,” Dowben said. “A graduate student may make one significant discovery (during their studies), if they’re lucky. Peace has made two, with potentially a third and fourth in progress.”
