Loukas G. Christophorou was born in Pentakomo in 1937. He studied Physics at the University of Athens and at the University of Manchester, where he was awarded his Ph.D. (1963) and Doctor of Science degree (1967).
He worked in the United States as a Researcher and Director of Research Programmes at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (1963–1994) and at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (1995–2001), and served as Ford Foundation Professor of Physics at the University of Tennessee (1964–1997). He taught and delivered lectures at numerous universities and research centres, mainly in the United States, Europe and Japan.
His research work spans almost six decades and focuses on Atomic and Molecular Physics, Radiation and Plasma Physics, fundamental matter–energy interactions, and the applications of basic research findings to the technology of materials, plasmas, gaseous dielectrics, the environment and energy. He has published more than 450 scientific papers, holds 14 patents, and has authored or edited 35 books. He has promoted international scientific collaborations and programmes, organised 33 scientific conferences, and published articles addressing the relationship between science and society.
He is a Founding Committee Member and President of the Cyprus Academy of Sciences, Letters and Arts, and has served as Member and Chair of numerous scientific, research, educational and other committees. Since 2004, he has served as President of the Energy Committee of the Academy of Athens.
He is a Member of the American Physical Society (1974–), the American Association for the Advancement of Science (1976–), Vice-President of the European Academies’ Science Advisory Council (2013–2016), Ordinary Member of the Academy of Athens (2001–), Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts (2013–), Member of Academia Europaea (2014–), Member of the World Academy of Arts and Sciences (2015–), Senior Member Emeritus of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (1995–), Honorary Doctor of the University of Patras, Foreign Member of the Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts (2011–), and Honorary Emeritus Professor of the University of Athens (2015–).
For his scientific contributions, he has received numerous distinctions, including the Alexander von Humboldt Senior Scientist Award, the Order of the Phoenix of the Hellenic Republic, the Cyprus Republic’s Science Excellence Award, and other international honours.
