As of 2024, a new IPPA Prize was introduced in honor of Gerald J. Diebold. The new Prize recognizes Professor Diebold’s seminal contributions to theoretical developments in Photoacoustics through his multi-decade active years, his pioneering scientific accomplishments, and his lasting legacy in the field as a co-founder and Director of the IPPA between 2002 and 2020. Originally planned as a quadrennial award, the Prize recently received additional endowment support establishing it on a biennial cycle and was extended to all research areas represented in the ICPPP meetings, becoming known as the IPPA Gerald J. Diebold Prize in Theoretical Photoacoustics, Photothermics and Diffusion Waves. As of 2026 the newly themed Prize is subject to the biennial Selection Committee’s decisions based on submitted nominations at the same time as the rest of the IPPA Prize selection process.
It is a wonderful proof of the international photoacoustic, photothermal and diffusion-wave community’s cohesion and dedication to our science and technologies that the IPPA Prizes have grown from two to four since their inception in 2002.
Andreas Mandelis, March 2026