News

CU Physics alum Stephen Koehler enjoys high-flying career

Veronica R Lingo — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 20:29:30 +0000

CU Physics alum Stephen Koehler enjoys high-flying career Veronica R Lingo Thu, 04/10/2025 - 14:29

The ROTC cadet and physics major turned naval aviator turned admiral was appointed commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet in early 2024.

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91�� physicists in CERN collaborations awarded 2025 Breakthrough Prize

Kirsten Apodaca — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 22:01:01 +0000

91�� physicists in CERN collaborations awarded 2025 Breakthrough Prize Kirsten Apodaca Tue, 04/08/2025 - 16:01

Congratulations to our 91�� Physics students, postdocs, and faculty on the ATLAS and CMS collaborations who were recently awarded the 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics! This year's prize was awarded to more than 13,000 researchers from the ATLAS, CMS, ALICE, and LHCb experimental collaborations at CERN's Large Hadron Collider.

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Meet 91��’s Society of Physics Students (SPS)

Kirsten Apodaca — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 12:13:32 +0000

Meet 91��’s Society of Physics Students (SPS) Kirsten Apodaca Tue, 04/08/2025 - 06:13

Kenna Hughes-Castleberry

The student-led group is building community, driving professional development, and expanding outreach at 91��.

The Society of Physics Students (SPS) at 91�� is one of many student groups helping to foster community and professional development for physics students on campus. Through weekly meetings, collaborative events, and outreach initiatives, SPS provides a welcoming and inclusive space for students interested in physics and related fields. Led by undergraduate co-presidents Aidan Janney and Alexandra Washburn, 91��’s SPS chapter is committed to making a difference for physics students of all backgrounds.

“There’s a famous quote that says something along the lines of physicists are simply particles trying to understand other particles,” Washburn said. “I think that perfectly describes SPS. We’re all trying our best to challenge one another but also supporting each other in times of struggle. I like to see us as a little family.”

Reflecting on his journey into physics, Janney shared that his high school experience with the subject was challenging, especially with the added hurdles of learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Aidan’s experiences at 91�� helped reignite his passion for the field, allowing him to discover physics in new and exciting ways. “One of the parts that is just the most enjoyable about physics is that it shows up everywhere,” he said, emphasizing how physics connects with atmospheric science and ocean dynamics.

For her part, Washburn never took physics in high school and was never the biggest fan of math. “I realized that I wanted to help the region I so badly wanted to escape, the South.” Washburn elaborated, noting that she wants to work in quantum computing to improve the agricultural sector. “There’s a lot of money in physics, but I want to give back to those who impact everyone: small American farmers.”

As a community for physics students, one of SPS’s primary goals is to create an environment where students feel supported, regardless of their academic background.

“A big focus is on just making it feel like an inclusive environment that people want to spend time in,” Janney explained.

The organization actively promotes professional development by hosting events such as graduate student panels and research presentations, where students can explore careers in academia, industry, and beyond. SPS also collaborates with COSMOS, another student organization at 91��, to offer diverse perspectives and guidance on navigating careers in physics and related fields.

“Many clubs talk about job aspirations, internships, etc., but this year I wanted to focus on helping our members slow down and enjoy life a little,” Washburn said. “What are they truly passionate about? Why? Post-graduation is terrifying for many college students so we’ve tried to give them the tools and the time to come as they are when they want–a phrase always included in our meeting postings.”

Last year, the Dean’s Innovation Fund awarded significant funding to SPS, COSMOS, and other undergraduate and graduate student groups within physics to support students in STEM fields. As part of this award, SPS helped host an undergraduate research expo last year, with poster presentations and a keynote speech from Nobel Laureate, JILA and NIST Fellow, and 91�� physicist Eric Cornell.

Inspired by the success of this event, SPS is hoping to expand its reach to include additional departments, such as geology and molecular biology.

Beyond the research expo, SPS has collaborated with COSMOS to help create fellowships for students to participate in research across campus. In 2023, 13 students were awarded these fellowships, with SPS and COSMOS hoping to award more this year.

SPS also plans to extend its reach beyond campus with a budding outreach program at Bear Creek Elementary School. In partnership with COSMOS members, SPS hopes to lead interactive science activities for second graders, helping to inspire the next generation of scientists.

“It would be a more informal community science outreach program,” Janney explained.

The outreach initiative will introduce young students to the wonders of science in an accessible and engaging way.

The 91�� physics department has been an essential partner for SPS. 91�� Physics professor Keith Ulmer, the SPS faculty liaison, has continuously supported the group’s initiatives.

“He just cares so much about students and making sure they’re supported and involved,” Janney said, reflecting on Dr. Ulmer's positive influence on the organization.

Staff in the Physics Main Office have also offered invaluable assistance with logistical needs for events such as the annual pumpkin drop, hosted in collaboration with CU Prime and COSMOS.

In the future, SPS wants to reach out to other student organizations and increase member retention.

“We want to really help students feel prepared for the vast world ahead of them through financial literacy, professional skills, but also feeling confident in their person,” added Washburn.

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Three physics faculty awarded Research & Innovation Seed Grants

Kirsten Apodaca — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 22:30:48 +0000

Three physics faculty awarded Research & Innovation Seed Grants Kirsten Apodaca Mon, 04/07/2025 - 16:30

Professors Xun Gao, Juliet Gopinath, and Shuo Sun have been awarded seed grants of up to $60,000 from the Research and Innovation Office and the Office of the Provost.

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Sense of awe led alum to physics

Kirsten Apodaca — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 18:40:19 +0000

Sense of awe led alum to physics Kirsten Apodaca Thu, 04/03/2025 - 12:40

Kirsten Apodaca

Ben Chapman (PhDPhys'17)

Ben Chapman (PhDPhys’17) never had a master plan to be a physicist, but now he’s a Principal Quantum Hardware Manager at Microsoft.

Chapman says what he loves most about physics is “the sense of awe that comes from connecting with length, time, and energy scales that are far from the meters, seconds, and joules of the human experience.”

He majored in math and physics at Dartmouth College because he enjoyed the coursework. Following that sense of awe, after college he got a job in a physics lab and his boss encouraged him to apply to PhD programs. He recalls it wasn’t straightforward –because he didn’t take a conventional path to graduate school.

A world-class program in 91��

“I chose CU because it’s in 91�� and the program is world-class. He added “it was a great decision.”

Chapman thrived at CU and made a lasting impact.

He completed his thesis on superconducting quantum circuits with Professor and JILA Fellow Konrad Lehnert, which he added was an incredible opportunity. “I feel so incredibly fortunate for the chance to have worked with Konrad,” Chapman said.

Chapman was also one of the original organizers of CU-Prime, a student-led organization aimed at building community and supporting undergraduates in physics. The group was formed in 2013 and is still flourishing, offering biweekly research talks, a 1-credit hour class for first-year undergraduate students, and a mentorship program.

Building a quantum computer

After finishing his PhD, Chapman spent four years as a postdoc at Yale with Professor Rob Schoelkopf before joining Microsoft.

In his current role, he manages a small team who develop the readout hardware for Microsoft’s quantum computer. He likens it to working as a postdoc; driving multiple projects, keeping the team motivated and excited, and helping them see how their efforts are advancing longer-term goals.

With many major tech companies racing to build a quantum computer, the job is high stakes, and Chapman has his sights set on the ultimate goal. “I want to build a rocket ship that goes to the moon – not a literal one – but the quantum computing version of that.”

Trusting the process

Professor and JILA Fellow Konrad Lehnert and Ben Chapman
at his thesis defense.

Chapman said one of his biggest career lessons so far has been to trust the process of ‘doing’ physics. “Even difficult problems can yield answers with persistence. It took me a while to learn that,” he said. At early stages of his career, he wondered “how will I have an idea that no one else has had before?”

“That feeling remained for many years through college and the beginning of graduate school,” he added. “But as you keep doing it, it gets easier and things that used to seem impossible become an everyday thing. You get better at plying the craft.”

He recalled a class he took at CU from Professor Noah Finkelstein on Teaching and Learning Physics, which introduced him to concepts in education like impostor syndrome and growth mindset. “Being able to have conversations around these topics and learn the vocabulary was very useful to me.”

Throughout his education and so far into his career, Chapman has leaned in to being comfortable with uncertainty. Through each phase, he’s trusting the process and holding on to the sense of awe that first drew him in.

Ben Chapman (PhDPhys’17) never had a master plan to be a physicist, but now he’s a Principal Quantum Hardware Manager at Microsoft.

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Ivan Smalyukh named fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Kirsten Apodaca — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 12:20:28 +0000

Ivan Smalyukh named fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Kirsten Apodaca Mon, 03/31/2025 - 06:20

Professor Ivan Smalyukh has been recognized for scientifically and socially distinguished achievements by the world’s largest general scientific society and publisher of the Science family of journals.

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Aircrafts of the future: Boosting aerodynamic performance by engineered surface vibrations

Kirsten Apodaca — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 15:53:43 +0000

Aircrafts of the future: Boosting aerodynamic performance by engineered surface vibrations Kirsten Apodaca Thu, 03/27/2025 - 09:53

Mahmoud Hussein, professor of aerospace engineering and physics, is the principal investigator of a $7.5 million, five-year Department of Defense Office of Naval Research (ONR) Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI). Hussein is leading an effort to reshape the fundamental character of fluid-structure interactions to reduce drag on high-speed aerospace vehicles—the focus of the project.

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Alum Dave Steinmann (Phys'90) discovers a new species of pseudoscorpion

Kirsten Apodaca — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 15:57:45 +0000

Alum Dave Steinmann (Phys'90) discovers a new species of pseudoscorpion Kirsten Apodaca Wed, 03/26/2025 - 09:57

91�� alum and experienced caver Dave Steinmann recently discovered a new species of pseudoscorpion in Mallory Cave, with a moniker honoring its namesake hometown.

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Alum Olivia Krohn (PhDPhys'23) receives the 2025 Justin Jankunas Dissertation Award

Kirsten Apodaca — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 17:12:25 +0000

Alum Olivia Krohn (PhDPhys'23) receives the 2025 Justin Jankunas Dissertation Award Kirsten Apodaca Mon, 03/24/2025 - 11:12

91�� Physics alum Olivia Krohn (PhDPhys'23) has been awarded the 2025 Justin Jankunas Dissertation Award in Chemical Physics. The prestigious award bestowed by the American Physical Society recognizes outstanding doctoral research in chemical physics.

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Professors Markus Raschke and Shuo Sun awarded translational quantum seed grant

Kirsten Apodaca — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 20:06:37 +0000

Professors Markus Raschke and Shuo Sun awarded translational quantum seed grant Kirsten Apodaca Wed, 03/19/2025 - 14:06

91�� Physics Professors Markus Raschke and Shuo Sun have been awarded a 2024-2025 Translational Quantum Research Seed Grant funded by the Colorado Economic Development Commission.

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News

CU Physics alum Stephen Koehler enjoys high-flying career

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91������ physicists in CERN collaborations awarded 2025 Breakthrough Prize

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Meet 91������’s Society of Physics Students (SPS)

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Three physics faculty awarded Research & Innovation Seed Grants

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Sense of awe led alum to physics

A world-class program in 91������

Building a quantum computer

Trusting the process

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Ivan Smalyukh named fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

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Aircrafts of the future: Boosting aerodynamic performance by engineered surface vibrations

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Alum Dave Steinmann (Phys'90) discovers a new species of pseudoscorpion

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Alum Olivia Krohn (PhDPhys'23) receives the 2025 Justin Jankunas Dissertation Award

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Professors Markus Raschke and Shuo Sun awarded translational quantum seed grant

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91�� physicists in CERN collaborations awarded 2025 Breakthrough Prize

Meet 91��’s Society of Physics Students (SPS)

A world-class program in 91��