CU Boulder Physics

08/18/2026

Congratulations to Professor Meredith Betterton on receiving a Sloan Matter-to-Life grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation! 🎉

The two-year, $594,487 grant will support Betterton’s ongoing research on microtubules, the small, long tubes inside cells that serve several functions and that Betterton’s research suggests may be less fixed and static than previously thought.

The findings could deepen our understanding of cellular communication and may eventually inform advances in areas ranging from cancer treatment to the design of new materials.

Read more in the A&S Magazine: https://www.colorado.edu/asmagazine/2026/08/05/meredith-betterton-awarded-sloan-matter-life-grant

CU Boulder College of Arts & Sciences | University of Colorado Boulder

08/07/2026

⛰️➡️🏛️ from Boulder to D.C.

Recent CU Boulder graduate Joseph Pontiff (Phys’26) is applying his physics and political science background to help inform national quantum policy in Washington, D.C., working with the Commission on Quantum Primacy!

“It’s exciting to see how industry, academia and government all have to work together,” says Pontiff. “For quantum to succeed, you need all three.”

We’re excited to see where this opportunity takes him and proud to see another CU Boulder Quantum Scholars and physics alum on the national stage. 💛🖤

Read more: https://www.colorado.edu/physics/2026/08/05/recent-grad-heads-washington-help-shape-quantum-policy

CU Boulder College of Arts & Sciences | University of Colorado Boulder

08/04/2026

We’re proud to share that the Department of Physics has been named an inaugural recipient of the Carl E. Wieman Award for Excellence by the Association for Undergraduate Education at Research Universities! 🏆

The award recognizes a sustained commitment to teaching excellence and high-quality undergraduate education.

It carries special significance because the award is named for Carl E. Wieman, a 2001 Nobel laureate and one of the department’s most distinguished faculty members.

“Carl showed us that groundbreaking research and a deep commitment to teaching can, and should, go hand in hand. This recognition affirms our commitment to giving students the best education we can,” says Tobin Munsat, professor and chair of physics.

🔗 Read more in the Arts & Sciences Magazine: https://www.colorado.edu/asmagazine/2026/08/03/national-honor-recognizes-physics-teaching-excellence

University of Colorado Boulder | CU Boulder College of Arts & Sciences

07/20/2026

Future buffs, we got you! 🦬

Starting physics at University of Colorado Boulder this fall? Here’s what we wish we knew 😅


CU Boulder Arts & Sciences CU Boulder Engineering 🦬 University of Colorado Boulder Undergraduate Admissions

07/17/2026

Ok physics buffs, time to shine ✨ (now without typos!)

Describe your research using only emojis and see if your fellow buffs can decode it 👀🦬

CU Boulder Arts & Sciences University of Colorado Boulder CU Boulder Engineering 🦬

07/15/2026

🧩 How does nature build complex structures from tiny parts?

Can we teach nanostructures to build themselves? 🔬

Join us for a free public lecture exploring the science of self-assembly and the remarkable possibilities emerging at the nanoscale.

Tuesday, July 21
7:00 p.m.
Duane Physics building, room G1B30
🎟️ free and open to the public!

Sponsored by the 2026 Boulder School for Condensed Matter and Materials Physics and supported by the National Science Foundation.

More info: https://calendar.colorado.edu/event/free-public-lecture-nanostructures

CU Boulder College of Arts & Sciences University of Colorado Boulder CU Boulder Engineering

06/12/2026

A new twist on entanglement could make quantum sensors way more powerful.

By linking particles in a different way, a team of researchers led by CU Boulder and JILA physicists found a way to filter out shared noise and boost precision measurements. 📡

Their results were just published in Physical Review X.

Advancing the future of quantum sensing.

Learn more: www.colorado.edu/physics/2026/06/10/new-kind-entanglement-helps-quantum-sensors-tune-out-noise

CU Boulder College of Arts & Sciences | JILA | University of Colorado Boulder

New research led by Professors and JILA Fellows Ana Maria Rey and James Thompson published in Physical Review X proposes a new entangled state for atoms in a

06/11/2026

Congratulations to Alexander Aeppli (PhDPhys’25) on receiving the Deborah Jin Thesis Award – a prestigious honor named for the late CU Boulder professor, JILA fellow, and pioneering physicist who helped shape the field.

A well-deserved recognition of outstanding doctoral research. 👏

“It’s a wonderful honor to receive this award in recognition of my PhD. I have looked up to many of the past thesis prize winners, so joining their ranks is indeed humbling,” said Aeppli.

Read more: https://www.colorado.edu/physics/2026/06/11/alexander-aeppli-phdphys25-receives-deborah-jin-thesis-award

Forever Buffs: University of Colorado Boulder Alumni | CU Boulder College of Arts & Sciences | JILA | CU Boulder Graduate School

Alexander Aeppli (PhDPhys’25) receives Deborah Jin thesis awardPublished:6/11/2026 6/11/2026 • By Kirsten ApodacaPhysics alumnus Alexander Aeppli (PhDPhys’25) is the recipient of this year’s Deborah Jin Award for Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Research, a national honor awarded by the Division ...

06/03/2026

Congratulations to CU Boulder’s Margaret Murnane – named an honorary member of Optica! 🎉

🏆 The designation is the most distinguished member category bestowed by Optica.

🤩 Since 1916, only 63 individuals have been named honorary members.

Murnane, a distinguished professor of physics and electrical engineering and fellow of JILA, was recognized for her pioneering advances in ultrafast laser technology and extreme ultraviolet science, as well as sustained mentorship and leadership to the optics community.

Congratulations, Professor Murnane! 👏

Read more: https://www.colorado.edu/physics/2026/06/01/margaret-murnane-named-opticas-newest-honorary-member

Image credit: Boulder Daily Camera

University of Colorado Boulder | CU Boulder College of Arts & Sciences | CU Boulder Engineering

06/01/2026

25+ undergrad presenters. Big ideas. Industry execs. 💫

Recap from our spring physics & quantum research expo 🔬🚀

https://www.colorado.edu/physics/2026/04/27/physics-research-expo-highlights-undergrad-research-industry-connections

CU Boulder College of Arts & Sciences | University of Colorado Boulder | CU Boulder Engineering