Physics students, staff and faculty receive recognition

Luke Coffman received this award for his honors research project titled “Measuring Non-Gaussian Magic in Fermions,” which also earned summa cum laude from the College of Arts & Sciences Honors Council. His research project explored “quantum magic” in fermions (e.g. electrons) which essentially measures how difficult it is to replicate a quantum state using a classical computer. Coffman's research advisor is Xun Gao, assistant professor of physics and associate fellow of JILA.

Sean Gopalakrishnan received this award for his honors research project titled “Surface Charging of Objects by the Solar Wind Plasma and Energetic Neutral Particles,” which also earned summa cum laude from the College of Arts & Sciences Honors Council. He investigated the interaction between lunar lava tubes and the solar wind. The results showed that the charging environment isn’t as hazardous as the simulation suggested, making the structures more viable for lunar habitation. Gopalakrishnan's research advisor is Dr. Xu Wang, research scientist at LASP.

Blake Maly was selected as the Outstanding Graduate in Engineering Physics this semester, in recognition of his exceptional research project and academic achievement. Maly earned summa cum laude for his honors research project titled “Dynamic Light Scattering from Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals.” Maly's research advisor is Noel Clark, professor of physics. 

Each semester, undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdocs are nominated for teaching and service awards by physics faculty and staff. These individuals have made exceptional contributions to our teaching and service missions.

The CU*iP organizing committee, composed entirely of volunteer students including Iona Binnie, Anya Grafov, Margie Bruff, Willa Arthur-Dworschack, Adalyn Gibson, and Allie Plocki, proposed, organized, fundraised and hosted CU*iP 2025 at CU Boulder. CU*iP is the American Physical Society Conference for undergraduate women and gender minorities in physics. This three-day event enabled 180 undergraduate physicists from across the central and southern region of the US to attend talks and workshops with distinguished scientists, present and discuss their own research, network and enjoy social events. 

Engineering physics seniors Ángel Hernández and Denali Jah have been recognized by the CU Boulder College of Engineering and Applied Science with graduating student awards. The awards highlight Hernández’ contributions to culture and community, and Jah’s commitment to academic engagement.

Claudia Numan, academic advisor for physics and mathematics, was recognized as an Employee of the Year for the College of Arts & Sciences. The award recognizes exceptional staff who consistently demonstrate outstanding job performance, leadership, innovation and inclusive excellence.

Each year, the Department of Physics recognizes faculty for outstanding teaching contributions. Professor and JILA Fellow Murray Holland was selected “for outstanding classroom teaching and student mentorship, and particularly for the creation of multiple novel and popular courses throughout the fields of quantum physics.” 

Maura Barcia Figueras, events and front desk administrator, and Maria Martinez, undergraduate program professional, were selected as this year's Department of Physics employees of the year.

John Cumalat, professor of distinction in the University of Colorado Boulder Department of Physics, has been awarded the 2025 Hazel Barnes Prize. Established in 1991 by former chancellor James Corbridge to honor the late Hazel Barnes, CU Boulder professor of philosophy from 1953-86, the $20,000 Hazel Barnes Prize celebrates the enriching interrelationship between teaching and research and is the largest and most prestigious award funded by the university.