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THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
Department of Physics News
SEPTEMBER 2024
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Message from the Chair
 In my office in the Physical Sciences Complex, visitors always pause to enjoy our display of outmoded yet utterly engaging equipment: analog volt meters, a vintage scale, a lunar retroreflector. These cherished scientific heirlooms—polished wood and precision needles, crafted decades ago—recall our timeless and evolving pursuit of science.
In this issue, we present some of our own evolution. After thoughtful consideration of the diverse future careers of our undergraduate majors, we launched new tracks in biophysics and applied physics. Our rigorous undergraduate degree in physics provides excellent preparation for physics graduate school; these new tracks can expand options for our many majors who will go in a different direction. In addition, we worked with the university to introduce a new minor in quantum science and engineering, ensuring that more UMD students are equipped to enter this intriguing, emerging field.
As for timelessness: Inquisitive humans have always pondered the wonders of the sky and the mechanisms of life. In this issue, we highlight our exploration of the complexity of solar winds, the ongoing quest to detect gravitational waves and a new approach to understanding the physics of living cells.
~Steve |
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Faculty, Staff & Research
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Exploring the Mechanics of Life’s Tiniest Machines
New Physics Assistant Professor Maria Mukhina builds nanoscale tools to study the mechanical communication between living cells. READ MORE » |
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UMD Physicists Advance NASA’s Mission to ‘Touch the Sun’
Researchers are using Parker Solar Probe data to demystify the glowing ball of gas at the center of our solar system. READ MORE » |
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UMD Joins Future Circular Collider Project
Professor Sarah Eno was named a leader of the Higgs Factory Steering FCC Flow Committee.
READ MORE »
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Howard Milchberg Named Distinguished University Professor
This is the highest academic honor given to UMD faculty members.
READ MORE » |
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Gregory Sullivan Named 2024 Distinguished Scholar-Teacher
The Distinguished Scholar-Teacher title is awarded to a select number of faculty members who have blazed trails in their classrooms and their areas of expertise.
READ MORE » |
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Kasra Sardashti Brings Summer Program to UMD to Promote Diversity in Quantum Research
The new assistant research professor brought the summer program to UMD to introduce diverse groups of students to quantum research through hands-on lab experiences.
READ MORE » |
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Department Hosts Screening of the Film "The Faraway Nearby: A Journey Into Space, Time and the Mystery of Black Holes”
A panel discussion that followed the screening included two Nobel Laureates, the film’s director and one of UMD’s leading gravitational wave researchers.
READ MORE » |
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studentS and Alumni
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Catching Cosmic Waves
Physics Ph.D. student Max Trevor plays a key role in the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) project, a global effort to detect and study gravitational waves in space. READ MORE » |
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New Photonic Chip Spawns Nested Topological Frequency Comb
Physics Ph.D. student Chris Flower and his colleagues engineered a complex pattern of interference that takes input laser light and circulates it around the edge of the chip while the material of the chip itself splits it up into many frequencies. READ MORE » |
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Two Physics Majors Named 2024 Goldwater Scholars
Junior physics and mathematics double-degree student Yash Anand and sophomore atmospheric and oceanic science and physics double-degree student Malcolm Maas earned the prestigious scholarships. READ MORE » |
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Curious About the Cosmos
For undergraduate student Aneesh Anandanatarajan, learning how to ask the “big questions” about physics and astronomy is both an art and a science. READ MORE » |
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UMD Award Provided Undergraduate with Experience Bombarding Samples with Neutrons at a National Lab
A CMNS Alumni Network Endowed Undergraduate Award allowed Patrick Chen to travel to Oak Ridge National Laboratory and gain valuable research experiences as he considers his future pursuing physics. READ MORE » |
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High School Student Earns Accolades for Summer Research with Gorshkov Group
Jason Youm, a high school student from Montgomery Blair High School, placed in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair with research he performed at UMD. READ MORE » |
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Leaning into Lidar
Swarnav Banik (Ph.D. ’21, physics) is developing optical sensing systems for the next generation of self-driving vehicles. READ MORE » |
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Building on a Strong Foundation in Physics
Award-winning theoretical physicist Ana Maria Rey (Ph.D. ’04, physics) inspired the next generation of scientists at the 2024 CMNS Graduate Commencement Ceremony. READ MORE » |
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UMD Adds Undergraduate Physics Specializations in Biophysics and Applied Physics
The offerings will prepare students for a variety of career paths, including those that extend beyond graduate study in physics. READ MORE » |
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In Memoriam
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It is with much sadness that the department announces the passing of several members of our community. READ MORE »
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Awards
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We proudly recognize members of our community who recently garnered major honors, began new positions and more. READ MORE » |
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Events
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To learn more about the events below and to see a complete list of upcoming colloquia and talks, visit umdphysics.umd.edu/events.html.
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John S. Toll Endowed Lecture
"Relativistic optics and laser-driven particle accelerators"
Speaker: Howard Milchberg, UMD
Learn More » |
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Physics is Phun: The Physics of Sound
Learn More » |
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Paint Branch Distinguished Lecture
"The Quantum Reform of the Modern Metric System: Mass becomes quantum, and electrical measurements become honest"
Speaker: William D. Phillips, UMD and Nobel Prize Winner
Learn More » |
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Distinguished Scholar-Teacher Lecture
"Neutrino Astronomy: Viewing the High Energy Sky Through the South Pole Glacial Ice"
Speaker: Greg Sullivan, UMD
Learn More » |
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Shih-I Pai Distinguished Lecture
Speaker: Naomi Leonard, Princeton University
Learn More » |
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WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! |
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If you recently received an award or landed a new job, please send a brief description to physics-news@umd.edu so that we can share the great things you're doing with our community.
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We are grateful to alumni and friends whose generosity supports current and future students. To learn more about how you can make a difference, please visit go.umd.edu/givetophysics. |
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0208 Physical Sciences Complex / 4296 Stadium Dr. / College Park, MD 20742
301.405.3401 / umdphysics.umd.edu
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