In a department where the professors regularly study black holes, a shining star emerged this week.

Juan M. Maldacena, the Cabot associate professor of physics, was awarded a five-year MacArthur Fellowship for $245,000 last Thursday. Days later, he accepted an offer of tenure and will become one of the youngest professors in the department.

The MacArthur Fellowship, commonly known as the "genius grant," also includes health coverage and comes with no strings attached--the money can be used for any purpose the winner chooses.

Maldacena was recognized for his work with string theory, a topic he has studied throughout his career. He wasn't aware that he was a candidate for the fellowship.

"I felt a bit surprised...pleasantly surprised," he said. But his colleagues in the department said the award was well deserved.

"I wasn't at all surprised," said Professor of Physics Andrew E. Strominger, who taught Physics 287a, "Introduction to String Theory" with Maldacena last fall. Strominger, who came to Harvard the same time as Maldacena, said doing research with his colleague was enjoyable.

"Working with him has been a lot of fun," he said. "He's really inspired and energetic."

Maldacena has also earned the respect of his peers outside of Harvard. At a 1998, conference at which he presented his work, a physicist from the University of Chicago turned his complicated theories into lyrics and convinced the 300 theoretical physicists at the conference to dance to a parody titled "Hey, Maldacena."

"He composed a song based on the tune of the Macarena, based on the work that had been presented." Maldacena said, laughing

And while Harvard's physics department may be loath to get up and dance, they honored the young professor in their own way when they offered him a tenured position on the Faculty.

Department faculty said that awarding tenure to someone so young--Maldacena turned 30 in September--is rare.

"I don't think it's ever happened in thephysics department," said Mallinckrodt Professorof Physics Howard Georgi. "It's certainlyunusual."

Maldacena said he said he has not decided whathe will do with the prize money. After taking aleave this past spring, the question of spendinganother semester out of the classroom is also upin the air.

"I can't complain," he said. "Things are goingvery well.