John Perdew

John P. Perdew
John Perdew gives a talk at the Tulane University 2007 School of Science and Engineering (SSE) Research Day
Born	(1943-08-30) August 30, 1943 (age 73) Cumberland, MD
Fields	solid-state physics, density functional theory, quantum chemistry
Institutions	Temple University, Tulane University
Alma mater	Cornell University (Ph.D., M.S.), Gettysburg College (A.B.)
Notable awards	Elected to National Academy of Sciences

John P. Perdew (born August 30, 1943) is a theoretical condensed matter physicist known for his contributions to the fields of solid-state physics and quantum chemistry. His work on density functional theory has led to him being one of the world’s most cited physicists. Perdew currently teaches and conducts research at Temple University.

John Perdew was born and raised in Cumberland, Maryland. After showing an aptitude for mathematics in high school, Perdew received a National Merit Scholarship and attended Gettysburg College, where he developed his interest in physics.

Perdew graduated Summa cum laude from Gettysburg College with a Bachelor of Arts in physics in 1965. He then received a Ph.D. in physics from Cornell University in 1971. His doctoral advisor was John W. Wilkins, who introduced Perdew to solid-state theory.

Perdew began his academic career as a postdoctoral fellow under Sy Vosko at the University of Toronto from 1971–74, and then with David Langreth at Rutgers University from 1975-77.

Perdew started his teaching career in 1977 at Tulane University, where he taught until 2013. During his time at Tulane, Perdew taught physics and supervised nine completed Ph.D.’s as well as 11 postdoctoral fellows. He received the Outstanding Researcher Award from Tulane’s School of Science and Engineering in 2007 and the President’s Awards for Excellence in Professional and Graduate Teaching in 2009.