Alumni

Sense of awe led alum to physics

Kirsten Apodaca — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 18:40:19 +0000

Sense of awe led alum to physics Kirsten Apodaca Thu, 04/03/2025 - 12:40

Kirsten Apodaca

Ben Chapman (PhDPhys'17)

Ben Chapman (PhDPhys’17) never had a master plan to be a physicist, but now he’s a Principal Quantum Hardware Manager at Microsoft.

Chapman says what he loves most about physics is “the sense of awe that comes from connecting with length, time, and energy scales that are far from the meters, seconds, and joules of the human experience.”

He majored in math and physics at Dartmouth College because he enjoyed the coursework. Following that sense of awe, after college he got a job in a physics lab and his boss encouraged him to apply to PhD programs. He recalls it wasn’t straightforward –because he didn’t take a conventional path to graduate school.

A world-class program in �鶹ӰԺ

“I chose CU because it’s in �鶹ӰԺ and the program is world-class. He added “it was a great decision.”

Chapman thrived at CU and made a lasting impact.

He completed his thesis on superconducting quantum circuits with Professor and JILA Fellow Konrad Lehnert, which he added was an incredible opportunity. “I feel so incredibly fortunate for the chance to have worked with Konrad,” Chapman said.

Chapman was also one of the original organizers of CU-Prime, a student-led organization aimed at building community and supporting undergraduates in physics. The group was formed in 2013 and is still flourishing, offering biweekly research talks, a 1-credit hour class for first-year undergraduate students, and a mentorship program.

Building a quantum computer

After finishing his PhD, Chapman spent four years as a postdoc at Yale with Professor Rob Schoelkopf before joining Microsoft.

In his current role, he manages a small team who develop the readout hardware for Microsoft’s quantum computer. He likens it to working as a postdoc; driving multiple projects, keeping the team motivated and excited, and helping them see how their efforts are advancing longer-term goals.

With many major tech companies racing to build a quantum computer, the job is high stakes, and Chapman has his sights set on the ultimate goal. “I want to build a rocket ship that goes to the moon – not a literal one – but the quantum computing version of that.”

Trusting the process

Professor and JILA Fellow Konrad Lehnert and Ben Chapman
at his thesis defense.

Chapman said one of his biggest career lessons so far has been to trust the process of ‘doing’ physics. “Even difficult problems can yield answers with persistence. It took me a while to learn that,” he said. At early stages of his career, he wondered “how will I have an idea that no one else has had before?”

“That feeling remained for many years through college and the beginning of graduate school,” he added. “But as you keep doing it, it gets easier and things that used to seem impossible become an everyday thing. You get better at plying the craft.”

He recalled a class he took at CU from Professor Noah Finkelstein on Teaching and Learning Physics, which introduced him to concepts in education like impostor syndrome and growth mindset. “Being able to have conversations around these topics and learn the vocabulary was very useful to me.”

Throughout his education and so far into his career, Chapman has leaned in to being comfortable with uncertainty. Through each phase, he’s trusting the process and holding on to the sense of awe that first drew him in.

Ben Chapman (PhDPhys’17) never had a master plan to be a physicist, but now he’s a Principal Quantum Hardware Manager at Microsoft.

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Alum Dave Steinmann (Phys'90) discovers a new species of pseudoscorpion

Kirsten Apodaca — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 15:57:45 +0000

Alum Dave Steinmann (Phys'90) discovers a new species of pseudoscorpion Kirsten Apodaca Wed, 03/26/2025 - 09:57

CU �鶹ӰԺ alum and experienced caver Dave Steinmann recently discovered a new species of pseudoscorpion in Mallory Cave, with a moniker honoring its namesake hometown.

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Alum Olivia Krohn (PhDPhys'23) receives the 2025 Justin Jankunas Dissertation Award

Kirsten Apodaca — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 17:12:25 +0000

Alum Olivia Krohn (PhDPhys'23) receives the 2025 Justin Jankunas Dissertation Award Kirsten Apodaca Mon, 03/24/2025 - 11:12

CU �鶹ӰԺ Physics alum Olivia Krohn (PhDPhys'23) has been awarded the 2025 Justin Jankunas Dissertation Award in Chemical Physics. The prestigious award bestowed by the American Physical Society recognizes outstanding doctoral research in chemical physics.

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Alum Sristy Agrawal (PhDPhys'24) leads CU �鶹ӰԺ startup Mesa Quantum to success

Kirsten Apodaca — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 22:03:35 +0000

Alum Sristy Agrawal (PhDPhys'24) leads CU �鶹ӰԺ startup Mesa Quantum to success Kirsten Apodaca Mon, 03/10/2025 - 16:03

Mesa Quantum, a CU �鶹ӰԺ spinout and leader in quantum sensing, recently announced $3.7 million in seed funding and a $1.9 million grant from SpaceWERX, the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force. Both investments are fueling the company’s drive toward commercializing chip-scale quantum sensors for multiple applications including next-generation position, navigation and timing solutions.

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Meet CU �鶹ӰԺ Physics Fall 2024 Graduate Jenny Jiahui Wu

Kirsten Apodaca — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:01:39 +0000

Meet CU �鶹ӰԺ Physics Fall 2024 Graduate Jenny Jiahui Wu Kirsten Apodaca Thu, 02/20/2025 - 13:01

Kenna Hughes-Castleberry

The Department of Physics at CU �鶹ӰԺ is excited to celebrate its students' achievements as they graduate and move on to the next step of their careers. For recently graduated graduate student Jenny Jiahui Wu, who also participated in CU’s PREP program with NIST, her time at CU �鶹ӰԺ has been one of cutting-edge research and discovery.

Wu’s passion for physics began during high school in Canada, where she excelled in math and science. Encouraged by her parents and inspired by her AP Physics teacher, she discovered that her strengths and interests were better suited to pure physics than engineering. This realization led her to pursue a physics degree at the University of Toronto, where she fell in love with the predictive power of physics equations and their real-world applications.

Joining CU �鶹ӰԺ: A Hub for Quantum Research

Wu’s path to CU �鶹ӰԺ was shaped by her undergraduate ion-trapping research at the University of Toronto. Her advisors highlighted CU �鶹ӰԺ’s reputation as a global hub for Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) physics and its collaboration with the prestigious NIST Ion Storage Group. Intrigued by the research possibilities, Wu joined CU �鶹ӰԺ to pursue her PhD.

While there, Wu worked with the NIST Ion Storage Group through CU �鶹ӰԺ’s PREP program, focusing on experiments in quantum control and quantum information.

“I was drawn to CU not just for its reputation in ion trapping but also for the wealth of opportunities in AMO physics,” she explains. “It was the perfect fit for my research interests.”

Her research contributed to advancing quantum information and quantum control techniques, areas crucial for the future of quantum technologies. Wu credits the supportive environment at CU and NIST for providing her with the tools and mentorship to excel in her field.

For Wu, completing her PhD felt like “the end of a good movie.” Reflecting on her time, she described it as a fulfilling chapter of her life.

“I’m happy with what I accomplished and where it ended,” she shares. “Of course, there’s always more research to be done, but I felt it was the right time to move on.”

Looking Ahead: A Career at Quantinuum

After graduating, Wu joined Quantinuum, a leading quantum computing company specializing in ion-trap-based quantum technologies. Given her extensive background in ion trapping and quantum research, this transition was a natural fit. At Quantinuum, Wu hopes to develop her skills further and contribute to the company’s mission of creating commercial quantum computing solutions.

“It’s amazing to see quantum computers reaching the point where they can be offered commercially,” Wu says. “I’m excited to be part of this journey and to help build extremely advanced quantum computers for the future.”

For recent graduate Jenny Jiahui Wu, her time at CU �鶹ӰԺ has been one of cutting-edge research and discovery. Learn about her path to grad school in �鶹ӰԺ and what's in store for her next.

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Physics Alum Anchored in Excellence: From CU to the High Seas

Kirsten Apodaca — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 18:25:35 +0000

Physics Alum Anchored in Excellence: From CU to the High Seas Kirsten Apodaca Wed, 11/13/2024 - 11:25

Admiral Stephen T. “Web” Koehler (Phys’86) shares his journey from CU to the high seas, highlighting the Navy’s enduring values of honor, courage and commitment.

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Women and Gender Minorities in Physics (WaGMiP) group hosts alumna Dr. Marty Baylor (PhDPhys’07)

Anonymous — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 18:16:39 +0000

Women and Gender Minorities in Physics (WaGMiP) group hosts alumna Dr. Marty Baylor (PhDPhys’07) Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 08/07/2024 - 12:16

Kenna Hughes-Castleberry

Dr. Marty Baylor

On July 18, 2024, members of CU �鶹ӰԺ's Women and Gender Minorities in Physics (WaGMiP) group gathered for an informal lunch at the picnic tables outside the JILA tower. The special guest for the event was Dr. Marty Baylor, Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Carleton College and a distinguished alumna of both CU �鶹ӰԺ Physics and JILA.

Baylor, who was visiting Colorado for the summer, expressed her excitement about the event, saying, “Last year, I got to know folks in WaGMiP from conversations after my 'Life After JILA' talk last fall while I was in the area for my sabbatical. I had conversations with them both as a group and individually. I've maintained relationships with members of WaGMiP even after relocating to Minnesota for the rest of my sabbatical, helping some of them develop Personal and Professional Individual Development Plans.”

Hearing of Baylor’s visit to Colorado, WaGMiP leadership invited her back to campus.

Iona Binnie, a fifth year physics graduate student and leader of WaGMiP, shared her thoughts on the event, “Lunch with Marty was fantastic. It was great catching up and chatting about WaGMiP's department activities since her last visit. Connecting with Marty has been really valuable to many of us, and we plan to keep getting together whenever she visits �鶹ӰԺ.”

The informal lunch allowed WaGMiP members to share their summer stories and discuss topics related to their experiences in physics in a safe setting. The value of groups like WaGMiP at CU �鶹ӰԺ cannot be overstated, as they offer a crucial space for individuals to connect, share experiences, and find support.

Dr. Baylor highlighted this, saying, "We all need groups where we can metaphorically 'let our hair down' with people that are like us in some way, particularly for individuals whose identities are marginalized in a larger community. Affinity spaces are places where one can be heard and seen, serving, when needed, as a positive counter space to one's experience in the dominant community."

Event photos by Iona Binnie

Marty Baylor portrait courtesy Carleton College

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John Mates' (PhDPhys'11) research featured in NIST's Taking Measure Blog

Anonymous — Thu, 30 May 2024 19:29:32 +0000

John Mates' (PhDPhys'11) research featured in NIST's Taking Measure Blog Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 05/30/2024 - 13:29

CU �鶹ӰԺ alum John "Ben" Mates' (PhDPhys'11) dissertation is now a hot topic and "required reading for many scientists interested in multiplexing." Mates completed his PhD while conducting research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) through CU's Professional Research Experience Program (CU PREP).

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Blair Seidlitz' dissertation gets top marks from American Physical Society

Anonymous — Tue, 28 May 2024 14:39:14 +0000

Blair Seidlitz' dissertation gets top marks from American Physical Society Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 05/28/2024 - 08:39

Blair Seidlitz, who earned his PhD in physics in 2022 from the �鶹ӰԺ, has won the American Physical Society (APS) Dissertation Award in Hadronic Physics for his dissertation, the society announced.

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CU PREP Alumni Highlight: Bryce Primavera (PhDPhys'23)

Anonymous — Thu, 02 May 2024 17:36:46 +0000

CU PREP Alumni Highlight: Bryce Primavera (PhDPhys'23) Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 05/02/2024 - 11:36

Bryce Primavera’s experience in CU’s Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) was instrumental in preparing him for his future career. Learn more about his journey, his research focus at NIST, and advice for future PREP students.

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