Professorial titles for Melanie Rupflin and Sam Vinko

Trinity College congratulates Melanie Rupflin and Sam Vinko, who have been awarded the titles of Professor of Mathematics and Professor of Physics in the University’s Recognition of Distinction awards for 2025. The criteria for the conferment of the title of full professor include research, teaching and good citizenship.

Melanie Rupflin teaches pure mathematics and her research focuses on partial differential equations and variational problems that are inspired by questions from geometry. A major focus of her current research is to develop a new quantitative theory for variational problems that is robust enough to deal with phenomena such as formation of singularities or concentration of energy at different scales and that yields precise control on the dynamics of gradient flows. 

Sam Vinko teaches undergraduate physics with a focus on the Mathematics courses, Optics, and Atomic and Laser Physics. His research focuses on the investigation of high energy-density plasmas using a wide range of experimental and theoretical techniques. He is part of a multi-institutional team industry partnership exploring a new method for creating fusion power it hopes could eventually be scaled to provide safe, clean, and abundant energy.