Purdue Physics and Astronomy

09/23/2026

Concealed within the molecular machinery of petunia flowers are metabolic, genetic and cellular processes that biotechnologists can engineer to improve crops and plant health and benefit pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products. Building on a large body of their previous research, Purdue University scientists, including Jing Liu of Purdue Physics and Astronomy, have launched a project to bring these advances closer to fruition. Learn more:

Concealed within the molecular machinery of petunia flowers are metabolic, genetic and cellular processes that biotechnologists can engineer to improve crops and plant health and benefit pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products. Building on a large body of their previous research, Purdue University...

09/23/2026

🔗At the bottom! The Heising-Simons Foundation is accepting applications for the prestigious 51 Pegasi b Postdoctoral Fellowship now through October 1, 2026. This program annually supports up to eight early-career scientists advancing planetary astronomy through theoretical, observational, and experimental research in solar system science, exoplanetary science, and related fields. Selected fellows are awarded up to $492,000 over three years to conduct novel research at a host institution of their choosing.

Purdue University is a proud host institution for this fellowship, with 16 faculty mentors conducting research in a wide range of planetary astronomy-related topics across EAPS and Physics and Astronomy. We have a strong dedication to planetary science and teamwork in research and would love to have you join us. Interested applicants are encouraged to reach out to a faculty mentor and apply.


Learn more and apply here: https://www.eaps.purdue.edu/research/51pegbfellowship.html

09/22/2026

09/21/2026

👏 A big “Thumbs Up” to Donald Layton and Anthony Mullendore of Purdue Operations and Maintenance!

Andrew Robison of Purdue Physics and Astronomy recognized Donald and Anthony for their work transforming several spaces in the Physics Building, from evaluating and scheduling the projects to tackling difficult prep, priming and painting.

Thank you both for helping make our Physics Building spaces brighter and ready for what comes next!

Read more about this week’s Purdue Today “Thumbs Up” recipients: https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/purduetoday/2026/Q3/this-weeks-thumbs-up-recipients-135/

09/21/2026

It’s National Postdoc Appreciation Week, September 21–25! We’re celebrating and thanking Purdue’s postdoctoral scholars for their many contributions to research and discovery. OGSPS will host several food-filled events throughout the week as we recognize our postdocs, connect our community, and celebrate the important role they play at Purdue. Join us for one—or all—of the week’s events, including the Postdoc Appreciation Tent on Memorial Mall!

09/20/2026

The latest issue of Interactions is here! ⚛️🔭
Read the latest issue: https://www.physics.purdue.edu/interactions/index.php

Explore the people, research and stories that make up Purdue Physics and Astronomy.

09/19/2026

Purdue University is part of a national pilot initiative advancing the future of doctoral education. Through the University-Industry Demonstration Partnership’s (UIDP) Industry-Integrated PhD (I-PhD) Scholars Program, Purdue is helping connect PhD education with industry experience and career pathways. The program is supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation’s Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships. Learn more: https://purduesci.com/45B2Cf2

09/19/2026

Purdue University is deepening its academic ties with Japan through a new letter of intent signed with Tohoku University, building on three decades of collaboration.

The agreement paves the way for expanded joint research, student and scholar exchanges, and cooperative training, with a strong foundation already in place in hydrogen energy and semiconductors through efforts like the ASPIRE-Hydrogen project and the UPWARDS Network.

Purdue researchers bring strengths in AI-driven materials discovery, first-principles modeling, and device-level translation, while Tohoku contributes deep expertise in interface science and electrochemistry. Together, we aim to bridge atomic-scale understanding with real-world energy applications.

"Our next step is to establish a Purdue-Tohoku Joint Institute as a platform for genuine collaboration and then compete together for major joint U.S.-Japan projects, including opportunities under the Genesis Mission," said Zhenhua Zeng, assistant research professor of chemistry and chemical engineering who leads the Purdue-Tohoku partnership in hydrogen energy.

The signing was marked by a handshake between Dimitrios Peroulis, Purdue's senior vice president for partnerships and online, and Masahiro Yamaguchi, Tohoku's executive vice president for International Strategy and Global Education Initiatives.

Faculty from Purdue included Guang Lin, College of Science Associate Dean of Research and Innovation, Yulia Pushkar, Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Jian Xie, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, and Zhenhua Zeng, Assistant Professor of Chemistry.

Lucy Flesch
Photos provided by Purdue University and Radha Somaiya.

Read more:

https://lnkd.in/eyBzQbyw

https://lnkd.in/ehuTYKs8

09/17/2026

Congratulations to the 15 Purdue University professors earning National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Awards!

The 8 faculty from Purdue Science are:

Ben Delaware, associate professor of Purdue Computer Science, for “Underapproximate Refinement Types for Program Exploration and Understanding.”

Michael Eddy, associate professor of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences at Purdue, for “Building a Holistic Record of Upper Crustal Pluton Emplacement, Associated Deformation, and Volcanism from a Fossil Magmatic System.”

Rajiv Khanna, assistant professor of computer science, for “Algorithmic Advances in Structure-Aware Learning.”

Ahmed H. Qureshi, assistant professor of computer science, for “Learning for Robot Motion Planning Using Physics Priors.”

Jukka Vayrynen, assistant professor of Purdue Physics and Astronomy, for “Topological Quantum Devices as a Window Into Strongly Correlated Matter.”

Xiaotao Yang, assistant professor of Purdue Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, for “Characterizing detailed structural modifications of ancient continental lithospheres using full-wave seismic imaging methods.”

Raymond Yeh, assistant professor of computer science, for “Data-Centric Capabilities for Vision Models.”

Yongle Zhang, assistant professor of computer science, for “Causality-Driven Mitigation of Cascading Failures in Distributed Systems.”

Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gB2eNyUS

09/17/2026

📚 Need a little extra help with your STEM courses?
The Science and Mathematics Academic Resource and Tutoring (SMART) Center is open for Purdue University students in Indianapolis! 🎉
Get free, drop-in tutoring for College of Science courses in math, statistics, physics, chemistry, and computer science—with support from graduate TAs and trained undergraduate tutors.
📍 ET003, lower level of the Engineering Technology Building
🗓️ Sunday–Friday
💡 Come by for homework help, guidance, and support throughout the semester!
Stop in and make the SMART Center part of your academic success! 🚀
Learn more: https://www.purdue.edu/science/about/news/articles/2026/0916-smartcenter.html