Applied Physics & Applied Mathematics Department, Columbia University

08/19/2026

Quantum innovation takes more than breakthroughs in the lab; it takes collaboration to bring new technologies to the real world.

APAM Department faculty Prof. Alexander Gaeta, Prof. Xueyue (Sherry) Zhang, and Prof. Aravind Devarakonda joined Columbia University’s Quantum Industry & Investor Workshop, which brought together researchers and industry leaders to explore Columbia’s expertise in quantum science and the opportunities ahead for quantum technology.

Gaeta, a co-lead of the Columbia Quantum Initiative, helped open the event. Zhang and Devarakonda showcased their research through lightning talks on photonic connectivity and quantum materials.

We’re proud to see APAM faculty helping advance Columbia’s growing quantum ecosystem and strengthen connections between research and industry!

Learn more at: https://www.engineering.columbia.edu/about/news/columbia-holds-quantum-industry-workshop

Photo by Diana Bondareff

08/14/2026

🌎 Mark your calendars! at kicks off Sept. 22. Join us for events on secure mining & minerals, sustainable energy, clean air, regenerative materials, batteries & power, fusion energy, and agentic AI for climate. https://bit.ly/45KV612

08/11/2026

Columbia Engineering’s Carlos Paz-Soldan, director of the Columbia Fusion Research Center, is making the case for a bold U.S. investment in fusion energy.

In a new InsiderNJ article, Paz-Soldan calls for a “Manhattan-style program” to accelerate fusion research and development.

Read the full article: https://www.insidernj.com/press-release/pennacchio-and-columbia-university-professor-both-advocate-for-fusion-energy/

PENNACCHIO AND COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR BOTH ADVOCATE FOR FUSION ENERGY   August 10, 2026 Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-Morris,Passaic), a champion of fusion development in New Jersey, is calling on the Administration and legislative leaders to once again put New Jersey at the forefront of commerc...

08/07/2026

What does a “Fun Run” look like in a fusion lab?

On Friday, July 17, 2026, Dr. Jeff Levesque hosted a unique educational event in the Columbia Fusion Research Center called the “HBT-EP Fun Run,” with run referring to operating an advanced experimental facility called a tokamak, rather than hitting the streets.

Tokamaks are donut-shaped devices that use powerful magnetic fields to confine ultra-hot plasma, serving as a leading approach to harnessing fusion energy. Operating a tokamak is a highly specialized experience; few people in the world ever get an opportunity to see a tokamak in action. This event allowed students outside the usual group of skilled scientists to step into the control room and run a major fusion experiment. Here, students used the HBT-EP tokamak, which has long been a pillar of on-campus fusion research in the Plasma Lab.

Across the two-day event, a total of 25 participants joined the run, including 18 students and two senior plasma lab affiliates who do not routinely operate HBT-EP. Facility preparations and primary operations were spearheaded by senior graduate students Nigel DaSilva, Noah Notis, and Javier Chiriboga, with preparation support and assistance from Jim Andrello and Dr. Levesque. Under the guidance of the trained personnel, participants actively operated the tokamak and observed real-time plasma discharges while Dr. Levesque led interactive discussions on key tokamak physics concepts pertaining to the run.

The event was a resounding success, giving students an exciting, memorable, and practical window into experimental fusion research. Following enthusiastic feedback and strong student interest in repeating the experience, lab leaders hope to make the “Fun Run” a recurring tradition, hosting similar hands-on operational sessions periodically across major experimental facilities in the lab.

07/30/2026

Big news for Columbia Engineering and APAM! 🎉 The National Science Foundation has awarded Columbia University a new Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC), bringing together researchers to advance next-generation quantum materials.

We're especially excited that Aravind Devarakonda, assistant professor of applied physics, will help lead this interdisciplinary effort. His research on quantum materials and emergent electronic phenomena will contribute to discoveries that could shape future quantum technologies.

Read more: https://news.columbia.edu/news/columbia-wins-national-science-foundation-materials-research-science-and-engineering-center

Building on discoveries from its prior iteration, the center will shift its focus to developing advanced electronic materials for semiconductors, quantum devices, and more.

07/24/2026

What will it take for the U.S. to lead the future of fusion energy?

In a new Financial Times opinion piece, Columbia Engineering's Prof. Paz-Soldan argues that achieving commercial fusion will require a national commitment on the scale of the Manhattan Project.

As he writes: "If we are to outpace China and own the future of this technology, we must fund it properly."

Read the full op-ed: https://www.ft.com/content/822f5326-d93b-4b9d-b43f-58113da909b1

If we are to outpace China and own the future of this technology, we must fund it properly

07/21/2026

Professor Renata Wentzcovitch has been named a PIFI Distinguished Scientist by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the highest senior designation within the CAS President’s International Fellowship Initiative. The honor recognizes her longstanding contributions to computational mineral physics and her extensive record of scientific exchange, collaboration, and mentorship in China.

Over the years, numerous former students and postdoctoral researchers from her group have gone on to hold prominent scientific positions at Chinese universities and research institutions. She continues to collaborate with several of these former group members, particularly at Xiamen University, on fundamental research in mineral physics and materials under extreme conditions.

07/07/2026

Columbia University was proud to host the inaugural Photonics, Atomic Physics, and Optical Materials Student & Postdoc New York Conference (PANYC) on June 26.

The one-day symposium brought together more than 75 students and postdoctoral researchers from nearly 15 institutions across the New York City area to share research, build professional connections, and strengthen collaboration in photonics, atomic physics, and quantum science.

The program featured keynote talks from Ellen Neff of the Columbia Quantum Initiative initiative and Dr. René-Jean Essiambre of Nokia Bell Labs, along with oral and poster presentations showcasing the work of 20 emerging researchers.

Thank you to Columbia Engineering’s Departments of Electrical Engineering (EE) and Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics (APAM), and for supporting this inaugural event—and to the organizers for launching what we hope becomes a lasting annual tradition.

Link in bio

07/07/2026

Columbia University was proud to host the inaugural Photonics, Atomic Physics, and Optical Materials Student & Postdoc New York Conference (PANYC) on June 26.

The one-day symposium brought together more than 75 students and postdoctoral researchers from nearly 15 institutions across the New York City area to share research, build professional connections, and strengthen collaboration in photonics, atomic physics, and quantum science.

The program featured keynote talks from Ellen Neff of the Columbia Quantum Initiative and Dr. René-Jean Essiambre of Nokia Bell Labs, along with oral and poster presentations showcasing the work of 20 emerging researchers.

Thank you to Columbia Engineering's Departments of Electrical Engineering (EE) and Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics (APAM), and Optica for supporting this inaugural event—and to the organizers for launching what we hope becomes a lasting annual tradition.

Read more at: https://www.apam.columbia.edu/columbia-hosts-inaugural-panyc-symposium-emerging-researchers

06/29/2026

Congratulations to Columbia Engineering APAM Professor Renata Wentzcovitch and her collaborators on being featured in for their article, "A Quiet Quantum Revolution in Earth’s Deep Interior."

The feature explores how a subtle pressure-driven change in iron ions' electronic configuration influences seismic wave speeds through Earth's lower mantle, revealing how quantum-scale processes can shape planetary-scale dynamics.

Read the feature: https://eos.org/features/a-quiet-quantum-revolution-in-earths-deep-interior

A subtle change in iron ions’ electronic configuration produces a measurable difference in seismic wave speeds through mantle rocks.