David Wallace is a theoretical physicist with particular contributions to understanding phase transitions — changes of a material’s state such as from liquid to gas, or in its properties like magnetism. David’s work enabled efficient evaluation of key properties of systems in or near phase transition, overcoming computational and analytical problems characterised by microstructure that has many different length scales. Modelling such transitions is important in fields as dissimilar as geosciences and electronic engineering.

David’s academic interests extend to numerical simulation and computing, including studying artificial neural network models and championing high-performance parallel computing systems. His career includes service as the Vice-Chancellor of Loughborough University, Master of Churchill College, Cambridge, and Director of the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences.

David’s many awards include the Maxwell Medal of the Institute of Physics, which he later served as President. For his services to parallel computing, he was made a CBE in 1996. Eight years later he was knighted for services to UK science, technology and engineering.