Message from the Chair

This semester we have been able to resume aspects of normal academic life, with students returning to campus and faculty teaching in-person classes. But we still follow the recommended health and safety protocols on campus.

In September, the university implemented a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine requirement for all students. We have been pleased by the positive response from students in getting vaccinated and continuing to observe campus protocols, which include wearing face masks, particularly indoors. Currently, more than 85% of students are either partially or completely vaccinated, with similar rates for faculty and staff, and the vaccination numbers continue to increase. Following the university’s published COVID-19 case numbers, it appears that, on campus, we have lower COVID-19 rates than the broader community and that our COVID-19 safety measures have had a positive effect. We continue to encourage faculty, students, and staff to follow health and safety guidelines to ensure we finish the semester healthy and safe.

We’re excited to announce that the department will be moving to a new building on the University of Utah campus in 2024. The as-yet-unnamed building will include a renovation of and addition to the historic William Stewart Building and will become the new home of the Department of Physics & Astronomy, Department of Atmospheric Sciences, and related research labs. Please read more about this milestone for the department on page 2.

Our faculty has been honored to receive several awards, including a Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Fundamental Innovation Award, given to Professor Yue Zhao by the American Physical Society. We are fortunate to have such talented and dedicated faculty.

We are sad to note the passing of Professor Emeritus William D. Ohlsen in August. He joined the University of Utah faculty in 1961, where he spent 36 years teaching physics and mentoring graduate students. Bill will be remembered for his humility, generosity, wisdom, and kindness, as well as his research contributions as an experimental condensed matter physicist. Some of the spectroscopy facilities, which he built decades ago, are still in use today. We will miss him.

Many undergraduates major in physics or science in the hope of doing research one day. Now, the College of Science is offering an innovative program called the Science Research Initiative (SRI) that puts students in a lab as soon as they arrive on campus. As part of our year-end fundraising campaign, we’re encouraging alumni and friends to donate to the SRI program. For more information, please see the article on page 10.

Thank you for your ongoing support and generosity. Your interest is key to our ability to achieve excellence in teaching, mentoring, and research in a diverse and inclusive environment.

Sincerely,

Christoph Boehme

Professor and Chair Department of Physics & Astronomy