Q&A with Dr Jere Mäkinen, winner of the Nicholas Kurti Science Prize 2025

Dr Jere Mäkinen, Research Fellow at Aalto University, Finland, was awarded the 2025 Nicholas Kurti Science Prize for his discoveries of novel topological structures and their dynamics in topological superfluids at ultra-cold temperatures.

Dr Mäkinen’s research has advanced the scientific community’s understanding of half-quantum vortices, walls bounded by strings, dissipation by the Kelvin-wave cascade in quantum turbulence, and control of defect formation in non-adiabatic phase transitions.

We sat down with him to discuss what it’s like to win this prestigious prize, dive into the research that made his submission stand out, and find out what’s next for him.

How does it feel to have won the Nicholas Kurti Science Prize?

“I am deeply humbled to have received the Nicholas Kurti prize and to have joined the admirable group of past winners. The recognition is deeply encouraging, motivating me to pursue academic research in the years to come.”

Can you tell us more about the research you submitted?

“My past research has revolved around quantum vortices - linear topological defects commonly encountered in superconductors and the many types of quantum condensates available for experimentation nowadays. Such vortices can act as the source of dissipation in superconductors and serve as the fundamental building block for turbulence in quantum condensates.

Moreover, in fermionic systems with half-integer spin, the internal structure of quantum vortices is often non-trivial, making them laboratory-accessible analogues for a variety of cosmic defects.

Utilising cooling techniques pioneered by Nicholas Kurti himself, I have discovered novel vortex structures in the fermionic quantum condensates of helium-3 atoms, demonstrated how vortex formation can be controlled in a non-adiabatic phase transition, and provided long-sought evidence of the nature of kinetic energy dissipation in the limit of ultra-low temperatures.

These examples serve to showcase how ultracold helium-3 can be utilised as a model system to study complex physics, such as half-quantum vortices in p+ip superfluid, that is sought-after but presently inaccessible elsewhere.”

Is there a particular part of your research that you are especially proud of?

“I am particularly proud of my results on the dissipation of kinetic energy in a system of quantum vortices. My latest publication on the topic is a culmination of an immense amount of data gathering, analysis, and a long thought process, which gradually led to understanding.

One of the most humbling moments of my life was when, one day, the key piece of information finally fell into place, and I understood why the data looked the way it did.”

What’s next for your research?

“Recently, I got involved with a community that aims to discover room-temperature superconductivity within the next decade or so. This is a fascinating and difficult topic, given that there is no known material that showcases such properties.

However, such a transition temperature is not prohibited by any known theory, albeit the mechanisms underlying high-temperature superconductivity remain a topic of active research. Uncovering these mechanisms is the present topic of my experimental efforts.”

Do you have any final thoughts you’d like to share?

“Experimental physics is always a collaborative effort. My research would not have been possible without the many colleagues I have worked with over the years. I am especially grateful to Dr Vladimir Eltsov for his mentorship during these years, and to my wife for all her support and understanding.”

The Oxford Instruments Nicholas Kurti Science Prize for Europe promotes and recognises the novel work of young scientists working in the fields of low temperatures and/or high magnetic fields or surface science.

Dr Jere Mäkinen

Nicholas Kurti Prize 2025 winner