Alumni News
Purdue Alumna Qi Qian named in MIT TR Innovators under 35Purdue alumna Qi Qian, former graduate student from Prof. Michael Manfra's group, was named to the MIT TR Innovators under 35, Asia-Pacific. She is currently a professor in China.
Date: Sep 30, 2024
Commission on Semiconductors (C8) Early Career Scientist Prize 2023 WinnersFormer student Yang Xu has been awarded the IUPAP Young Scientist Prize in Semiconductor Physics. He is an Associate Professor and group leader at the Institute of Physics (IOP), Chinese Academy of Sciences. He earned his B.S. from the School of the Gifted Young at the University of Science and Technology of China in 2011. His Ph.D. was completed in 2018 at Purdue University, where he primarily studied electronic transport in three-dimensional topological insulators and demonstrated the first gate-tunable “half-integer” quantum Hall effect arising from the topological surface states.
Date: Jun 7, 2024
2024 NFS Graduate Research Fellowship Program announces awardees and honorable mentionsThe National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced the 2024 Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) which included 20 awardees and 12 honorable mentions from Purdue University. Of the pool of innovators, the Purdue University College of Science students stood out with ten awardee offers and two honorable mentions including these Purdue PhysAstro students: Meenakshi McNamara and Sara Cuevas-Quiñones.
Date: May 16, 2024
2023-24 Physics and Astronomy Awards for faculty, staff and studentsJoin us in applauding the shining stars of the 2024 Purdue Physics and Astronomy Awards! A testament to tireless research, innovative teaching, and relentless dedication in our classrooms and labs. We recognize our faculty, staff and students with awards that were presented on April 25, 2024.
Date: May 8, 2024
Jupiter’s icy moon may be the next place humans find life, but first, they need to understand the structure of the moonPURDUE NEWS — Sometimes planetary physics is like being in a snowball fight. Most people, if handed an already-formed snowball, can use their experience and the feel of the ball to guess what kind of snow it is comprised of: packable and fluffy, or wet and icy. Using nearly the same principles, planetary scientists have been able to study the structure of Europa, Jupiter’s icy moon. A team of planetary science experts including Brandon Johnson, an associate professor, and Shigeru Wakita, a research scientist, in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences in Purdue University’s College of Science, announced in a new paper published in Science Advances that Europa’s ice shell is at least 20 kilometers thick.
Date: Mar 25, 2024
Daniel Fleetwood named distinguished National Academy of Inventors FellowDaniel M. Fleetwood, Olin H. Landreth Professor of Engineering, has been named a National Academy of Inventors Fellow, the highest professional distinction awarded solely to academic inventors. Fleetwood, who is a professor of electrical engineering as well as physics, is best known for his research into radiation effects on microelectronic devices and materials, low-frequency noise, and defects in microelectronic devices and materials. His pioneering work has led to the identification of defects that limit the performance, reliability, and radiation response of devices and integrated circuits and to the development of international standards for the qualification of electronics for use in space and defense systems. He earned his BS, MS, and PhD at Purdue University.
Date: Dec 15, 2023
Aviation Week Announces 2023-2024 Laureate Award Winners“Since 1957, Aviation Week’s editors have annually honored our industry’s great achievements and its innovators,” said Joe Anselmo, editorial director and editor-in-chief of Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine. “This year’s Laureate Winners were selected by our editors after a rigorous screening of dozens of internal and external nominations. They exemplify the industry’s relentless push to expand the boundaries of what is possible.” The 2024 winners are judged and selected based on their accomplishments this past year. The 2024 event will recognize the work that was completed in 2023. Purdue alumnus Mike Moses, Virgin Galactic, was awarded for leadership in the "Space" category.
Date: Dec 12, 2023
2022-23 Physics and Astronomy AwardsThe Department of Physics and Astronomy recognizes our faculty, staff, and students with awards representing excellence in the classroom, laboratory, and workplace.
Date: May 11, 2023
Dr. Danny Milisavljevic, of Purdue Physics and Astronomy, featured on 60 Minutes.60 MINUTES — Dr. Danny Milisavljevic, Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Purdue University, featured on 60 Minutes for his research with the NASA James Webb Space Telescope.
Date: Apr 13, 2023
The FCC's Rules on Space Junk Just Got StricterWIRED — A new and contentious five-year limit for getting rid of dead satellites could slow the growing orbital litter problem—if people actually abide by it. Purdue Physics and Astronomy alumnus Marlon Sorge is cited in this article by Wired.
Date: Oct 26, 2022
Innovation & Failure Learnings from 20+ Years in Silicon ValleyLast April, Purdue Physics and Astronomy alumnus Dr. Mario Paniccia spoke to students and faculty during his visit to the West Lafayette campus. He is the CEO and co-founder of Anello Photonics of Santa Clara, CA. Anello Photonics focuses on developing a new type of sensor for the autonomous market based on Silicon Photonics. He gave insights and learnings on the 20 year journey of taking silicon photonics from a crazy idea that no one thought would ever work to today being one of the key technologies used to transmit optical data in every data center around the world.
Date: Jul 7, 2022
Benjamin Mottelson (1926–2022): Physicist and Nobel prizewinner who revolutionized understanding of the atomic nucleusWe mourn the loss of Benjamin Mottelson, Purdue University alumnus (Physics '47), who was a Nobel Prize in Physics in 1975. We are ever grateful for his advances in nuclear physics theory. Read more about his legacy in this article by Nature.
Date: Jun 17, 2022
Purdue receives 2021 DEPSCoR grants from Department of DefenseThe U.S. Department of Defense has awarded grants to three Purdue University research projects selected in its 2021 DEPSCoR (Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) competition. Two of these projects have been awarded to Purdue Physics and Astronomy faculty. 1. Subwavelength-spaced atomic arrays as novel light-matter interfaces- Qi-Yu (Grace) Liang, assistant professor of physics and astronomy. 2. Dispersive detection of charge state of a superconducting vortex- Jukka Ilmari Vayrynen, assistant professor of physics and astronomy.
Date: Jun 16, 2022
Purdue physics and astronomy professor named to American Academy of Arts and SciencesLaura Pyrak-Nolte, Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy in the College of Science, has been elected to one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honorary societies, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Pyrak-Nolte, who is recognized as the world’s leading expert on the acoustic, mechanical and transport characteristics of porous and fractured media, is one of 261 members of the newest academy class. Her work in this field leads to innovation in the availability of fresh water to drink, the power of geothermal resources to heat and cool our homes, and aids the modern energy economy that relies on the injection and withdrawal of fluids through fracture networks in rock.
Date: May 2, 2022
Oxford Instruments Announces Selection of Dr. James Nakamura of Purdue University as the Winner of the 2022 Lee Osheroff Richardson (LOR) Science PrizeDr. James Nakamura is recognised for the first direct observation of anyonic braiding statistics for quasiparticles at the v=1/3 fractional quantum Hall state. Dr. Nakamura’s experimental results substantiate theoretical predictions made nearly forty years ago by Wilczek and Halperin, and his work will stand as a high point in the study of topological phases of condensed matter systems. The Lee Osheroff Richardson Science Prize promotes and recognises the novel work of young scientists working in the fields of low temperatures and/or high magnetic fields or surface science in North and South America.
Date: Mar 2, 2022
Alumna Laura Biedermann is awarded Spark AwardAlumna Laura Biedermann, Ph.D., has received an award for her efforts in mentoring and promoting women's issues in science and engineering. She is a staff scientist at Sandia National Labs and is actively involved with numerous research projects in physics and materials science. She is a former PhD student of Professor Reifenberger. Congratulations Dr. Biedermann!
Date: Nov 19, 2021
Purdue Physics and Astronomy Spotlight SeriesAlumni Spotlight: Dr. David G. Seiler: a twisting and turning change of careers allowed Purdue Physics alumnus to constantly reach and expand the science of semiconductors.
Date: Aug 10, 2021
Dr. Mario J. Paniccia elected to the National Academy of EngineeringPhysics and Astronomy alumnus Mario J. Paniccia (PhD Physics '94) has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering. Paniccia was elected to the Academy for “his contributions to integrated silicon photonic devices and their commercialization."
Date: Feb 21, 2021
Sydor Technologies Included on Purdue University Research Team selected by NASASydor Technologies Included on Purdue University Research Team selected by NASA. Sydor Technologies will be represented on the Purdue University team by Dr. David Garand, Purdue alumnus, who received his PhD from Purdue Physics and Astronomy.
Date: Feb 1, 2021
CMS sees evidence for the Higgs boson decaying into muons. Purdue physicists contributed to the discovery.CMS sees evidence for the Higgs boson decaying into muons. Purdue physicists contributed to the discovery.
Date: Aug 4, 2020
Purdue graduate rolls dice on an unexpected career moveOne of the biggest names in tabletop board games is a Purdue Physics and Astronomy alumn. Isaac Childres graduated with a doctorate in physics in 2014 but his career route took an unusual turn. While working on his doctor thesis, “Effects of energetic irradiation on materials and devices based on graphene and topological insulators,” Childres was also working on a side project. He had always enjoyed tabletop games and was working on creating a tabletop game called Forge War. This side project has grown to one of the largest Kickstarter campaigns for tabletop games and an entire series of hugely successful and popular games.
Date: Jul 31, 2020
Dark matter hunters’ inconclusive signal grabs headlines“What we’re saying is that there’s something in our detector that nobody expected, and at this time nobody knows what it actually is,” says Rafael Lang, a physicist and XENON team member from Purdue University.
Date: Jun 19, 2020
Physicists have ‘braided’ strange quasiparticles called anyonsLooping the structures around one another strengthens the case that anyons really exist
Date: Jul 9, 2020
Derek Tournear (BS 98) named director of Space Development AgencyDate: Oct 28, 2019
Unique properties of quantum material explained for first timeDate: Oct 22, 2019
DoE awards nearly $7 million to Purdue-based startup to advance nuclear technology using artificial intelligence and machine learningDate: Oct 16, 2019
William Robertson (PhD 1988) receives MTSU's highest faculty honorWilliam Robertson (PhD 1988) receives MTSU's highest faculty honor
Date: Aug 25, 2019
Katherine Schreiber (PhD 2018) wins Springer Thesis AwardWe are pleased to announce that Katherine Schreiber has won a 2019 Springer Thesis Award in recognition of her outstanding Ph.D. research.
Date: Aug 20, 2019
2019 College of Science Alumni Awards2 Physics and Astronomy alumni were honored by the College of Science for their achievements.
Date: Mar 29, 2019
Kwok (PhD 1987) named Outstanding Referee by American Physical SocietyDate: Feb 28, 2019
John Monnier (BS 93) receives 2019 AAS Joseph Weber Award for Astronomical InstrumentationDate: Jan 9, 2019
Postdoc Jie Zhao wins award named for alumnus Lee GrodzinsDate: Sep 10, 2018
George Best (BS 1942), Los Alamos Living TreasureDate: Mar 29, 2018
Greg Boebinger (BS 81) named to American Academy of Arts and SciencesBoebinger is currently the director of the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, headquartered at Florida State University.
Date: Apr 17, 2017
Researchers detail formation of massive moon basinDate: Oct 27, 2016
Mike Moses (BS 89) named President of Virgin GalacticDate: Oct 13, 2016
Kathleen Falconer (MS 96) receives Homer L. Dodge Citation for Distinguished Servicefor exceptional service to the American Association of Physics Teachers
Date: Oct 10, 2016
Connolly, Kwok named 2016 College of Science Outstanding AlumniDate: Sep 23, 2016
Greg Boebinger (BS 81) receives Francis G. Slack Award for excellence in service to physicsDate: Jan 22, 2016
Dennis Krause (PhD 94) delivers Wabash College Charles D. LaFollette Lecture in the HumanitiesDate: Nov 3, 2015
Timothy Beers (BS 79) and Galactic Archaeology group produce the first age map of the Milky Way haloDate: Oct 28, 2015
Outstanding Alumni 2015Andrew Elmore (BS 1997) and Frank Liu (MS 1964) named Department of Physics and Astronomy Outstanding Alumni for 2015
Date: Sep 25, 2015
Li Yi (PhD 14) receives Chorafas Prizefor "Study of Quark Gluon Plasma by Particle Correlations in Heavy Ion Collisions"
Date: Sep 22, 2015
Michael Anderson (BS 2010) on cutting edge of cancer fightPhysics alumnus Michael Anderson (BS 2010) leverages his research on pH's role in cancer into a new startup.
Date: Sep 2, 2015
Gene Bulman named Distinguished Alumnus for 2015Date: Apr 17, 2015
Lutron founder Joel Spira (BS 1948) passes away at 88Date: Apr 10, 2015
Dr. Mary Bishai (PhD 99) named American Physical Society FellowDate: Mar 17, 2015
Department of Physics and Astronomy recognizes Outstanding Alumni for 2014Dr. Robert Brunner and Dr. Lynn Young named Outstanding Alumni for 2014
Date: Oct 10, 2014
R&D Magazine features Dr. Virginia Ayres' (PhD 85) research on nanomaterials and radiation resiliencyNano-testing for future electronics
Date: Aug 6, 2014
John Monnier (BS 93) receives 2014 Michelson PrizeDate: Jul 29, 2014
Dr. Burke Minsley (BS 97) awarded Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and EngineersUSGS scientist recognized for research on permafrost.
Date: Apr 24, 2014
Debra Dolby Guillemaud named Distinguished Alumna for 2014
Date: Apr 11, 2014
University of Maryland recognizes Dr. Andrew Elmore (BS 97)The University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents awarded Dr. Andrew Elmore the 2014 USM Regents’ Faculty Award.
Date: Apr 11, 2014
2013 Outstanding AlumniDr. Kara Hoffman and Dr. John Monnier named Outstanding Alumni for 2013
Date: Oct 11, 2013
Dr. David Leckrone receives Honorary DoctorateDate: May 10, 2013
Dr. Roger Dixon named Distinguished Alumni for 2013Date: Apr 19, 2013
Dr. David Leckrone named Distinguished Alumnus for 2012Date: May 7, 2012
Intel milestone confirms light beams can replace electronic signals for future computersDr. Mario Paniccia (Physics MS '90, PhD '94) is an Intel Fellow and Director of Photonics Research at Intel Labs. In July 2010, Intel announced a breakthrough in the use of light to carry data between computer components.
Date: Oct 15, 2010