J. Michael Kosterlitz is a British physicist known for his significant contributions to condensed matter physics. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2016 for his work on topological phase transitions and topological phases of matter, which have important implications in understanding complex materials. Kosterlitz was born on July 22, 1943, in Aberdeen, Scotland. He completed his education at the University of Edinburgh and has held academic positions at various institutions, including Brown University. His research has advanced the field of theoretical physics, particularly in the study of superconductors and superfluids.