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Graduate student Anya Grafov selected as global recipient of 2026 Zonta International Women in STEM Award

Kirsten Apodaca — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:17:04 +0000

Graduate student Anya Grafov selected as global recipient of 2026 Zonta International Women in STEM Award Kirsten Apodaca Mon, 04/06/2026 - 12:17

Anya Grafov, a graduate student in the Kapteyn Murnane Group at JILA, has been selected as one of the global recipients of the 2026 Zonta International Women in STEM Award, an international honor that recognizes exceptional early career women for their achievements and leadership in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Grafov was nominated through the Zonta Foothills Club of Boulder County and is one of 16 awardees selected worldwide.

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Distinguished alumnus John Richardson (Phys'42) passes away at 104

Kirsten Apodaca — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:08:31 +0000

Distinguished alumnus John Richardson (Phys'42) passes away at 104 Kirsten Apodaca Mon, 04/06/2026 - 11:08

Kirsten Apodaca

John M. Richardson (Phys’42), distinguished alumnus from the �鶹��Ѱ��, passed away on January 18, 2026, at the age of 104.

Richardson was a 2002 recipient of the George Norlin Award, the highest honor conferred by the university’s alumni association, in recognition of his distinguished career in telecommunications, information technology and related fields. The George Norlin Award recognizes outstanding alumni who have demonstrated a long-lasting commitment to excellence in their professional career and a devotion to the betterment of society and their communities.

Richardson earned his bachelor of arts degree in physics at �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder in 1942. Following his undergraduate studies, he enrolled in the physics PhD program at Harvard University. While at Harvard, he interrupted his studies to serve in the Navy during World War II, then returned to complete his PhD in physics in 1951.

He began his professional career back in Boulder, as the deputy director for radio standards at the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) where he supervised the development of the first atomic clock and the transition to the international atomic time standard. In 1964, he was awarded a gold medal for service from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Richardson later held a series of leadership positions at the U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C., contributing to high-profile efforts including national security telecommunications, international audio broadcasting, supercomputer performance and electronic email.

In 1991, Richardson joined the faculty of the University of Maryland, University College, where he taught courses in telecommunication policy and the foundations of information technology. In 1996, he became Chair of the Department of Information and Telecommunications Studies. In 2002, Richardson won the President’s award for distinguished service at the University of Maryland.

In recognition of his professional and scientific contributions, Richardson was elected a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, the American Physical Society, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

"John had a keen intellect, loved science and engineering, and highly valued his education at CU,” said John Cumalat, professor of physics and former chair of the physics department.

In 2002, Richardson retired and moved back to Boulder, but he was very active during retirement. Cumalat recalled having lunch with him at Chatauqua several years ago. Richardson was 100 at the time and had driven himself to the restaurant.

“He kept up with department events, attended George Gamow dinners and public lectures, and was a long-time loyal donor to the university and department,” added Cumalat. “He was a remarkable individual.”

View Richardson's Obituary

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Professor and JILA Fellow Adam Kaufman to lead Google AI's neutral atom quantum hardware team

Kirsten Apodaca — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 14:52:27 +0000

Professor and JILA Fellow Adam Kaufman to lead Google AI's neutral atom quantum hardware team Kirsten Apodaca Wed, 03/25/2026 - 08:52

Today, Google Quantum AI announced a major expansion of its quantum computing research program, naming Professor and JILA Fellow Adam Kaufman to lead a newly formed neutral atom quantum hardware team. The initiative marks Google’s first large-scale investment in neutral atom quantum computing, a rapidly advancing platform that complements its long‑standing work in superconducting qubits.

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�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder physics ranks highly in QS World University subject rankings

Kirsten Apodaca — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 14:48:45 +0000

�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder physics ranks highly in QS World University subject rankings Kirsten Apodaca Wed, 03/25/2026 - 08:48

In the latest edition of the World University Rankings by Subject from Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder physics and astronomy ranked No. 21 in the nation – and No. 10 among public institutions in the U.S. The rankings are based on surveys of reputation in the subject area among academics and recruiters of graduates, and on citations to research articles.

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Project led by Prof. Ivy Tan harnesses next-generation satellites to preserve Arctic sea ice

Kirsten Apodaca — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 15:52:51 +0000

Project led by Prof. Ivy Tan harnesses next-generation satellites to preserve Arctic sea ice Kirsten Apodaca Wed, 03/18/2026 - 09:52

Ivy Tan, a �鶹��Ѱ�� assistant professor of physics, recently was awarded funding from Ocean Visions for a project she leads that is assessing whether mixed-phase cloud thinning is a viable method for cooling the Arctic and restoring sea ice.

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New 'vacuum ultraviolet' laser may improve nanotechnology, power nuclear clocks

Kirsten Apodaca — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 15:10:34 +0000

New 'vacuum ultraviolet' laser may improve nanotechnology, power nuclear clocks Kirsten Apodaca Fri, 03/13/2026 - 09:10

A new kind of laser developed by Margaret Murnane and Henry Kapteyn's research group could pave the way for practical nuclear clocks—devices that measure time with incredible precision by measuring the "ticking" of thorium atoms.

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2026 �鶹��Ѱ��PREP Research Faculty Receive Outstanding Research and Service Awards

Kirsten Apodaca — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 17:07:38 +0000

2026 �鶹��Ѱ��PREP Research Faculty Receive Outstanding Research and Service Awards Kirsten Apodaca Tue, 03/03/2026 - 10:07

Nine �鶹��Ѱ��PREP research faculty have been honored with Department of Physics Awards for Outstanding Research and Service, recognizing their exceptional scientific achievements and their meaningful service to our community.

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Prof. Dana Anderson Celebrates Landmark Milestone as Infleqtion Goes Public on the New York Stock Exchange

Kirsten Apodaca — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 18:08:54 +0000

Prof. Dana Anderson Celebrates Landmark Milestone as Infleqtion Goes Public on the New York Stock Exchange Kirsten Apodaca Tue, 02/24/2026 - 11:08

Infleqtion, the quantum technology company founded by Physics Professor and JILA Fellow Dana Anderson, has officially gone public on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Infleqtion began trading under the ticker symbol INFQ on February 17, 2026, marking a historic moment for both the company and the broader quantum technology community.

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Researchers build ultra-efficient optical sensors shrinking light to a chip

Kirsten Apodaca — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 21:23:09 +0000

Researchers build ultra-efficient optical sensors shrinking light to a chip Kirsten Apodaca Mon, 02/23/2026 - 14:23

A team of electrical engineering and physics researchers at �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder have built high-performing optical micro-resonators, opening the door for new sensor technologies.

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Scholar discovers her passion, right on time

Kirsten Apodaca — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 15:15:08 +0000

Scholar discovers her passion, right on time Kirsten Apodaca Thu, 02/19/2026 - 08:15

How �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder physics and math senior Megan Thompson found her calling in precision time measurement and the mentors who helped guide her path.

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News

Graduate student Anya Grafov selected as global recipient of 2026 Zonta International Women in STEM Award

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Distinguished alumnus John Richardson (Phys'42) passes away at 104

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Professor and JILA Fellow Adam Kaufman to lead Google AI's neutral atom quantum hardware team

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�鶹��Ѱ�����Boulder physics ranks highly in QS World University subject rankings

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Project led by Prof. Ivy Tan harnesses next-generation satellites to preserve Arctic sea ice

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New 'vacuum ultraviolet' laser may improve nanotechnology, power nuclear clocks

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2026 �鶹��Ѱ�����PREP Research Faculty Receive Outstanding Research and Service Awards

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Prof. Dana Anderson Celebrates Landmark Milestone as Infleqtion Goes Public on the New York Stock Exchange

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Researchers build ultra-efficient optical sensors shrinking light to a chip

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Scholar discovers her passion, right on time

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�鶹��Ѱ��Boulder physics ranks highly in QS World University subject rankings

2026 �鶹��Ѱ��PREP Research Faculty Receive Outstanding Research and Service Awards