I’m trying to write a story about a scientist in the Star Wars galaxy who is working in the University of Coruscant of the Disney canon New Republic. For his work, he wins the Star Wars equivalent of the Nobel Prize in Physics (but in the story it could be something in the fields of physics, chemistry or biology). What could he have done to win this prize? Science heavy ideas obviously encouraged. The year is 24 ABY.

Are you either looking for or avoiding things that would have a profound short-term impact on the galaxy?

In the aftermath of the OT, countless worlds had been ravaged for their raw materials/resources in order to construct two Death Stars. Your scientist could have pioneered some advanced terraforming project to restore these worlds to their pre-Imperial state, or developed a cloning technique for bringing species driven extinct by Imperial strip-mining back to life, etc.

4 hours ago, Vorzakk said:

Are you either looking for or avoiding things that would have a profound short-term impact on the galaxy?

Avoiding but if you have a really interesting idea that does; I'll take it .

Slight retconning, but maybe the develop or improved on the "Hyperspace Tracking" thing...

3 hours ago, Kualan said:

In the aftermath of the OT, countless worlds had been ravaged for their raw materials/resources in order to construct two Death Stars. Your scientist could have pioneered some advanced terraforming project to restore these worlds to their pre-Imperial state,

I had a similar McGuffin as part of a character’s backstory way back in the WEG days. Although it was the opposite: being developed be the Empire to turn lifeless hunks of useless planets into ones with resources that could be mined and otherwise exploited.

Trek’s Project Genesis designed for darker purpose.

Well, it could be purely scientific, like figuring out a new way to calculate the age and life expectancy of black holes or a model theory explaining the economic growth rates of planetary economies dependent on their proximity to trade routes. Alternatively she/he developed a cure or found a key to understanding a common parasite, disease or syndrome that afflicts a significant part of galactic population.

"In other news, today, Biochemist J. Farnsworth has been awarded the Republic Starburst for his work on the cure to Rafkin's Disease. Previously incurable and fatal, Rafkin's Disease spread across the galaxy after the fall of the Empire and medications that could treat the symptoms became impossible for worlds to obtain. Several worlds are still under quarantine from the initial outbreak of Rafkin's and severe travel restrictions have since slowed the diseases' spread through the galaxy. The first shipments of the cure are being delivered to planets hardest hit by Rafkin's. The Republic has also stated that, even with the new cure available, some planets may be stricken from star charts as 'beyond recoverable'."
So you have a disease that spread after the fall of the Empire (a 'sore loser' strike by the Empire?), with a cure that has been discovered. A cure that is worth countless billions of credits to worlds and populations infected with the disease...and really, what Hutt could resist that kind of payday?

This makes me think of the plague that is mentioned in the old d20 adventure "The Tempest Feud." I don't have my copy with me, however.

-Nate