University of Portsmouth PhD student wins national physics award

A University of Portsmouth PhD student has been awarded the prestigious 2026 Jocelyn Bell Burnell Medal and Prize by the Institute of Physics (IOP). 

Natalie Lines was recognised for her exceptional early-career research in observational cosmology and pioneering use of machine learning to explore the Universe. 

The award is presented by the IOP, the professional body and learned society for physics in the UK and Ireland, which celebrates outstanding achievements and contributions to the field. 

Its annual awards reflect the wide variety of people, places, organisations and achievements that make physics such an exciting discipline.

Natalie, a third-year PhD student from the University’s Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation, received her award for exceptional early-career contributions to observational cosmology and the application of machine learning to large-scale astronomical surveys, with particular distinction in the field of strong gravitational lensing. 

She said: “As a PhD student, receiving this recognition so early in my career means a great deal. Of course, no science happens in isolation. This work is the result of collaboration with many brilliant colleagues and supervisors, and I am particularly grateful to the women in physics who have inspired me along the way.” 

Strong gravitational lenses are rare alignments in which a massive galaxy bends the light of a more distant one, offering direct probes of dark matter, galaxy evolution, and the expansion of the Universe.

Because only around one in 10,000 galaxies is a detectable gravitational lens, finding them requires efficient automated methods. Her work has improved how machine learning identifies lenses in real astronomical data, an essential step towards the next generation of surveys expected to discover more than 100,000 strong lenses in the coming years. This will provide a revolutionary sample for astrophysics and cosmology.

The IOP Awards celebrate physicists at every stage of their career; from those just starting out through to physicists at the peak of their careers, and those with a distinguished career behind them.  

They also recognise and celebrate companies that are successful in the application of physics and innovation, as well as employers who demonstrate their commitment and contribution to scientific and engineering apprenticeship schemes. 

Congratulating this year’s Award winners, Paul Howarth, IOP President, said: “Our award winners represent the very best of physics. Through their curiosity, expertise and dedication, they are expanding knowledge, driving innovation and inspiring the next generation of scientists. 

“Physics underpins so much of the modern world, from healthcare and clean energy to advanced technologies and our understanding of the universe. The achievements we celebrate today demonstrate the extraordinary impact that physicists have in research, education, industry and beyond. 

“On behalf of the Institute of Physics, I offer my warmest congratulations to every one of our award winners. Their contributions strengthen our discipline, benefit society and show what can be achieved through a career in physics. I hope they take great pride in this well-deserved recognition and that their success encourages others to follow in their footsteps.”