A new distinction in high pressure research

This distinction recognises young scientists making significant contributions to high pressure research and highlights Hernandez’s growing impact in the field of extreme-conditions research, particularly in planetary materials and the behaviour of compounds deep inside icy and rocky planets. 

It is Hernandez’s work on the implementation of the High-Power Laser Facility on ID24-ED and for his contributions to high pressure science at large X-ray facilities and to planetary materials science that earned him the recognition.

Before joining ID20, Jean-Alexis Hernandez spent several years as a scientist at the ESRF’s ID24 beamline, where he played a key role in developing and applying cutting-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) techniques for extreme conditions research. At ID24 he led pioneering studies on dynamic compression and ultrafast XAS to probe planetary materials at pressures and temperatures comparable to deep planetary interiors.

"I'm very glad to receive this award, which recognises years of efforts from myself and my colleagues to be able to investigate extreme states of matter," Hernandez said.

Receiving both the EHPRG Award (2023) and the Van Valkenburg Award (2026) places Jean-Alexis Hernandez among the most promising young scientists in the international high pressure community and underscores the ESRF’s role as a leading centre for extreme conditions research.

More about the award

The Van Valkenburg Award honours the legacy of the American Alvin Van Valkenburg (1913-1991), co‑inventor of the diamond anvil cell, a breakthrough instrument that revolutionised high pressure research. The award, presented during the Gordon Research Conference on High Pressure, is given to an outstanding young scientist or newcomer to the field who has made significant theoretical, experimental, or instrumental advances in understanding matter under extreme conditions.