News

Noah Finkelstein honored as Distinguished Professor by University of Colorado

Kirsten Apodaca — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 13:49:02 +0000

Noah Finkelstein honored as Distinguished Professor by University of Colorado Kirsten Apodaca Thu, 11/06/2025 - 06:49

Noah Finkelstein has been named a Distinguished Professor, CU’s highest honor for faculty across the four-campus system. Finkelstein was selected for his exceptional contributions to research, teaching and service.

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Mihály Horányi honored as 2025 professor of distinction

Kirsten Apodaca — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 22:19:41 +0000

Mihály Horányi honored as 2025 professor of distinction Kirsten Apodaca Fri, 10/24/2025 - 16:19

Mihály Horányi, a University of Colorado Boulder professor of physics, has been named the 2025 College Professor of Distinction by the College of Arts and Sciences in recognition of his exceptional service, teaching and research.

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Arabella Quane wins award at APS 4 Corners Conference

Kirsten Apodaca — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 21:04:33 +0000

Arabella Quane wins award at APS 4 Corners Conference Kirsten Apodaca Tue, 10/21/2025 - 15:04

Kirsten Apodaca

Undergraduate physics major Arabella Quane received an “Outstanding Oral Student Presentation” award at the recent American Physical Society 4 Corners Section Conference held at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.

The conference, held annually in one of the four-corners states – Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, or Utah – draws about 150 students who present their research through oral presentations or poster sessions.

“There are evaluators from multiple institutions, and they judge based on the quality of the presentation and the presenter’s ability to answer questions,” said John Cumalat, professor of distinction in physics and honors council representative. “CU Boulder doesn’t have a winner every year, but this year we are fortunate to have Arabella Quane chosen for one of these awards.”

Quane, a junior double-majoring in physics and anthropology, presented research from her work in Professor Gang Cao’s condensed matter physics lab. Her talk was titled “Magneto-Synthesis of Metastable Metallic States in a Spin-Orbit-Coupled Trimer Iridate.”

"I’m honored and grateful for this award,” said Quane. “It’s been an incredible opportunity to share my research and hear so many fascinating talks."

Cao said Quane is an exceptionally dedicated student who embraces challenges with enthusiasm. “Arabella can now solve unknown crystal structure, a highly valuable skill that many professionals build their careers upon,” he added. “Her commitment and intellectual drive exemplify the kind of thoughtful, determined young scientist this country needs for its future.”

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Diddams elected to the National Academy of Engineering

Kirsten Apodaca — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 23:12:10 +0000

Diddams elected to the National Academy of Engineering Kirsten Apodaca Fri, 10/17/2025 - 17:12

Scott Diddams, Professor in Department of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering and the Department of Physics, was elected to the National Academy of Engineering for his outstanding contributions in optical frequency combs and their applications.

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Physics graduate student explores fluid-based laser scanning for brain imaging in Gopinath Lab

Kirsten Apodaca — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 00:00:14 +0000

Physics graduate student explores fluid-based laser scanning for brain imaging in Gopinath Lab Kirsten Apodaca Tue, 10/14/2025 - 18:00

Physics PhD student Darwin Quiroz is co-first author of a new study that demonstrates how a fluid-based optical device known as an electrowetting prism can be used to steer lasers at high speeds for advanced imaging applications.

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2025 Nobel Laureate in physics once served as mentor to grad students at CU Boulder

Kirsten Apodaca — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 20:56:36 +0000

2025 Nobel Laureate in physics once served as mentor to grad students at CU Boulder Kirsten Apodaca Thu, 10/09/2025 - 14:56

Like many rockstar scientists, 2025 physics Nobel Laureate John Martinis spent time in Boulder’s rich scientific ecosystem mentoring graduate students and inspiring others in quantum computing.

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Josephine Meyer (PhDPhys’25) awarded 2025 Boeing Quantum Creators Prize

Kirsten Apodaca — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 17:19:28 +0000

Josephine Meyer (PhDPhys’25) awarded 2025 Boeing Quantum Creators Prize Kirsten Apodaca Thu, 10/09/2025 - 11:19

Kirsten Apodaca

Josie Meyer

Recent graduate Josephine Meyer (PhDPhys’25) has been named a recipient of the prestigious Boeing Quantum Creators Prize. The national award recognizes early-career researchers who have pushed the field of quantum information science and engineering in new directions.

According to the list of prior recipients, Meyer is the first to receive the award specifically for quantum education and ethics research.

Meyer’s research focuses on the teaching and learning of quantum computing and quantum information science. Her underlying goal is to ensure the coming generation of quantum researchers receive the education they need to succeed both professionally and personally.

Meyer is also an internationally recognized advocate for the responsible development of quantum technologies. She promotes holistic approaches to education that prepare students not only to design, but to think critically, about the technologies they’re developing.

“Receiving this award is a powerful acknowledgement that the work I’m doing in quantum education and ethics is just as important – and just as much “quantum” – as the people building quantum devices or developing algorithms,” said Meyer.

Bethany Wilcox, associate professor of physics and Meyer’s research advisor, described Meyer’s impact on developing the field of quantum information science (QIS) education. “Josie’s early work was critical to establishing quantum information science education research as a solid and impactful educational research tradition,” said Wilcox.

Image Credit: Chicago Quantum Exchange

When the field was emerging, research was scattered across many disciplinary journals with little collaboration. To address this, Meyer routinely published outside her home discipline of physics education research and became an “instrumental leader in forging a dedicated international QIS education research community,” according to Wilcox.

Although her postdoctoral fellowship was cancelled due to a National Science Foundation grant termination, Meyer is making strides – continuing to publish research and receiving broad recognition for her work. Working closely with her professional network and collaborators at George Mason University, Meyer says this year might be her most productive yet in terms of scholarly work.

The Boeing Quantum Creators Prize carries a monetary honorarium, and Meyer will be recognized along with this year’s recipients at the annual Chicago Quantum Summit, taking place Nov. 3-4.

Recent graduate Josephine Meyer has been named a recipient of the prestigious Boeing Quantum Creators Prize. The national award recognizes early-career researchers who have pushed the field of quantum information science and engineering in new directions.

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Building the quantum workforce of the future: A new study seeks the way

Kirsten Apodaca — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 16:11:50 +0000

Building the quantum workforce of the future: A new study seeks the way Kirsten Apodaca Wed, 10/01/2025 - 10:11

A team of physicists and education researchers including Professor and JILA Fellow Heather Lewandowski and Postdoctoral Research Associate Shams El-Adawy, is spearheading the largest study of its kind exploring how the United States can meet the needs of the rapidly growing quantum technology industry.

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14er science: Quantum physicists measure whether time moves faster on a mountaintop

Kirsten Apodaca — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 18:28:52 +0000

14er science: Quantum physicists measure whether time moves faster on a mountaintop Kirsten Apodaca Wed, 09/24/2025 - 12:28

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A summer of research at CU Boulder

Kirsten Apodaca — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 23:20:00 +0000

A summer of research at CU Boulder Kirsten Apodaca Mon, 09/22/2025 - 17:20

Kirsten Apodaca

This summer, 10 undergraduates came to CU Boulder from across the country to conduct cutting-edge research through the CU Boulder Physics and JILA Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program.

Now in its 38th year on the Boulder campus, the program is part of a nationwide network of sites funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), designed to provide hands-on research experiences for undergraduates. �鶹��Ժ are matched with faculty mentors in physics or a related discipline and spend 10 weeks engaged in a research project.

“The program's core mission is to educate and train the next generation of physicists by providing valuable research experience that is essential for students aiming to attend grad school or for those looking for a competitive edge in the job market,” said Mike Litos, associate professor of physics and principal investigator for the REU program.

Along with Litos, Christine Morrow and Professor Dan Dessau serve as co-principal investigators for the program, providing support and guidance for the program’s ongoing success.

This summer’s REU cohort explored a broad range of research areas including atomic, molecular and optical physics, condensed matter, liquid crystals, plasma physics, and nano-optics.

“We pride ourselves in our record of offering these opportunities to many students coming from institutions that may have limited or no research programs of their own,” said Litos.

In addition to research, REU students participated in professional development activities including courses in machining and electronics, seminars, and lab tours. “Our program goes beyond the laboratory experience by incorporating broadly useful training and skill-building sessions to prepare them for a future as research professionals,” added Litos.

The program culminated with a day of lab tours and presentations, where each student put their research on display. And after their summer of research, these students left Boulder with new skills, lasting connections, and a deeper understanding of what it means to be a scientist.

Check out some photos from this year's REU lab tours:

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