FSU Department of Physics

09/15/2026

Six FSU Department of Physics researchers will lead major projects as part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Genesis Mission, pioneering the use of AI and machine learning to accelerate breakthroughs in energy dominance, the physical sciences and national security.

To learn more about these research projects and the Florida State University scientists leading them, visit: fla.st/ADBXJ0OZ.

📸 Clockwise from top left: Wyatt-Green Chair of Physics Mayly Sanchez, Robert O. Lawton Professor of Physics Harrison B. Prosper, professor of physics Alexander Volya, assistant professor of physics Yanzhu Chen, associate professor of physics Hitesh Changlani and professor of physics Nicholas Bonesteel.

Florida State University Division of Research

09/14/2026

This week's Physics Colloquium will feature a very special guest: Clare Yu, professor of physics and astronomy at the University of California, Irvine!

Yu will present her talk, titled "A Physicist Looks at Cancer."

🗓️ Thursday, Sept. 17
⏰ 3:45-4:45 p.m.
📍 Richards Building (Room 101)

For more info and a sneak peek at upcoming events in the FSU Department of Physics, visit physics.fsu.edu/events.

09/10/2026

Tomorrow!

We're welcoming Kenneth Hanselman, a research scientist Los Alamos National Laboratory, for our first nuclear seminar of the semester! ⚛️

Hanselman will present his talk, titled "Los Alamos National Laboratory's Nuclear Data Science and the Push Off Stability."

🗓️ Friday, Sept. 11
⏰ 2:30-3:30 p.m.
📍 Keen Building (Room 701)

For more info and a sneak peek at upcoming events in the FSU Department of Physics, visit physics.fsu.edu/events.

Florida State University

09/10/2026

🌟 Meet Phong Võ Tiến, a postdoctoral researcher in the FSU Department of Physics!

To learn more about his research examining how layered systems of graphene — a material commonly used in modern technology for its strength and conductivity — can achieve new levels of conductivity, visit: fla.st/QKOMLPKB.

Florida State University
Florida State University Division of Research

09/04/2026

We're welcoming Kenneth Hanselman, a research scientist Los Alamos National Laboratory, for our first nuclear seminar of the semester! ⚛️

Hanselman will present his talk, titled "Los Alamos National Laboratory's Nuclear Data Science and the Push Off Stability."

🗓️ Friday, Sept. 11
⏰ 2:30-3:30 p.m.
📍 Keen Building (Room 701)

For more info and a sneak peek at upcoming events in the FSU Department of Physics, visit physics.fsu.edu/events.

Florida State University

09/04/2026

08/31/2026

Congratulations to Florida State University's 2026 National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award winners, all six of whom are from the FSU College of Arts & Sciences!

The award is one of the most prestigious honors available to early career faculty and supports those who serve as academic role models in research and education, leading advances in the mission of their department or organization.

▶️ Amy Webster (top left) is an assistant professor in the FSU Department of Biological Science, who studies how genetically identical individuals raised in the same environment, like twins, can still be different, informing our understanding of disease risk.

▶️ Douglas Storace (top right) is an assistant professor in the FSU Department of Biological Science and FSU Program in Neuroscience, who researches how the olfactory system, or sense of smell, influences decision making and our perception of the world around us.

▶️ Kai Zhao (middle right) is an assistant professor in the FSU Department of Computer Science, who designs high-performance computing systems that help researchers manage large amounts of data in experiments and theoretical predictions.

▶️ Michael Gubanov (bottom right) is an assistant professor in the FSU Department of Computer Science and FSU Data Science Program, who is developing a new type of AI to more accurately calculate and interpret numeric data, with applications in healthcare and cancer treatment.

▶️ Xiaonan Zhang (bottom left) is an assistant professor in the FSU Department of Computer Science, who designs frameworks that allow wireless devices to collaborate and execute complex AI applications, facilitating real-time decisions in fields like healthcare, transportation and emergency response.

▶️ Cyprian Lewandowski (middle left) is an assistant professor in the FSU Department of Physics, who analyzes quantum materials with the potential to enable transformative technologies, such as new quantum computing platforms or more advanced sensors.

To check out the full story, visit: fla.st/4NUIJ1Q6.

Florida State University Division of Research
FSU Faculty Development

08/21/2026

08/13/2026

Florida’s first formal graduate-level credential in quantum information science and engineering is officially at Florida State University!

The Graduate Certificate in Quantum Science & Technology will provide graduate students and working professionals with rigorous training across quantum physics, materials science, chemistry, computer science and engineering.

The certificate is now accepting applications for Spring 2027 enrollment.

Administered by the FSU Quantum Initiative, the certificate draws on courses from multiple departments and two colleges — the FSU College of Arts & Sciences and FAMU FSU College of Engineering.

To learn more about the certificate, which positions FSU students and professionals to be leaders in one of the world’s fastest-growing technology fields, visit: fla.st/XG4XJWPW.

Florida State University Division of Research
FSU Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
FSU Department of Physics
FSU Department of Computer Science

08/06/2026

Appreciation post for Phoebe The Physics Dog! ⚛️ Although she's never told us, we suspect she understands particle physics.

Phoebe was adopted in 2017 by Mark Cartagine​, who recently retired from his position as a teaching laboratory specialist at Florida State University — a role he began in 2006.

Phoebe accompanied Cartagine to work the first day of the Fall 2017 semester, right after being adopted, and she quickly fell in love with all the FSU Department of Physics has to offer. The feeling was quite mutual.

Presently, she's still accompanying Cartagine, this time on his post-retirement travels. ✈️🚘

To learn more about the department's faculty — sans Phoebe, as she is now retired, too — visit physics.fsu.edu/people.