UR Now: Science Of Sports
How to sink the perfect putt
Physics professor Christine Helms explains how to use science to putt like a pro.
Waitlist information
Deconstruction Night – A smashing success
University of Richmond’s Society of Physics Students hosted the University of Mary Washington for an evening of deconstruction. Students enjoyed pizza while disassembling equipment ranging from DVD players and cell phones to LCD monitors and microwaves. Dr. Matt Trawick provided insight into the various electronics while students identified and explored components such as heat sinks, lasers, motors, diffusers and polarizers.
Imaging the Dynamics of Molecular Electrons with Quantum Tomography
Join us for a talk with Dr. Varun Makhija from the University of Mary Washington. When visible light is absorbed by matter its energy is transferred primarily to electrons. In a very short time after this absorption, about 100 fs (1 fs = 10-15 seconds), structural changes can occur. An example is the change of the retinal molecules in your eye when they absorb light that initiates a chain of events that results in an image forming in your brain.
Prior to structural change, how did the electrons exchange energy with the atomic nuclei causing them to move? We do not know. Simulations are difficult because the electrons are entangled with nuclei and quantum effects are dominant. Makhija will discuss how we can image the rapidly changing probability distribution of these electrons, and how we might learn about the energy transfer process from such imaging.
What does the radio sky tell us about the Universe?
Join us for a talk with Dr. Akshatha Vydula, a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Physics whose research explores the early Universe and the formation of the first stars and galaxies. She develops calibration and analysis tools for low-frequency radio telescopes and is part of the EDGES collaboration—the only experiment to have reported a detection of the redshifted 21cm signal from cosmic dawn. Dr. Vydula’s research also spans modeling galactic radio recombination lines and measuring the neutron lifetime using data from NASA’s Lunar Prospector mission. At UR, she is currently working with Dr. Jack Singal to produce an absolutely calibrated sky map at 310 MHz using the Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia.
Talk with Physics Alum, Dario Falcone
Join the UR Physics Department for a talk with Dario Falcone ’20, a 5th year Ph.D. candidate at UC Davis. Falcone explores the complex physics of clouds and their role in climate uncertainty. Specializing in atmospheric modeling, he introduces his novel Kinematic Representation of Non-rotating Updraft Tori (KRoNUT) model- a framework for understanding cumulous cloud behavior and improving thier representation in climate models. His research offers fresh insights into the hidden dynamics of cloud formation and the importance of cloud-scale circulations in shaping Earth’s climate future. The Talk will be held on Wednesday, October 15st at 4:30 p.m. in the Gottwald Center for the Sciences D209.
Physics Alum to Speak to Majors
You’re invited to a special talk with the Department of Physics alum, Brianna Cantrall, who will share her experiences conducting research in Antarctica on the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about her exciting work at the edge of the world! The Talk will be held on Wednesday, October 1st at 4:30 p.m. in the Gottwald Center for the Sciences D209.
Science of Sports: How do you perform the perfect dive?
Christine Helms, associate professor of physics, unpacks the perfect dive using science as demonstrated by diver Sally Harrington, '26.
Science of Sports: How do you throw the perfect spiral?
In less than two minutes, you can learn how to throw the perfect spiral with associate professor of physics Christine Helms and quarterback Kyle Wickersham.
Physics Major Paige Delsa Finds Power in Physics & the Gym
In this behind-the-scenes video, physics major Paige Delsa, ’25, speaks to what she loves about her Richmond experience, emphasizing the liberal arts approach that enables her to explore and grow in all her interests.
Paige highlights her physics research saying, “I was really curious what I could do with experimental physics 'cause that wasn’t a space that I had really learned about before. I’ve been doing it for two years now [and] we’re in the process of writing a paper…. I’ve really enjoyed working with Dr. Dias in this lab on such a cool project.”
The Universe: All the Light We Cannot See
Professor Singal Presents at TEDx Event
In this Ted Talk, Dr. Jack Singal says the beauty of our universe is largely unobservable to the naked eye. To understand what is happening, we need to harness all the light we cannot see. Dr. Singal shows us how utilizing wavelengths from radio to gamma-rays will change how we see the universe.
UR Now: The Science Of Sports
The perfect free throw shot
In the first in a video series on the Science of Sports, physics professor Christine Helms explains how to shoot a better free throw, featuring Spider basketball star Andre Gustavson.
UR Now: RESEARCH & INNOVATION
More than meets the eye
UR physics professor Jack Singal explains what we’re seeing in stunning new images from the James Webb Space Telescope.
Upcoming Physics Events
Faculty Highlights
Dias publishes on machine learning in optical filter research and development
Mariama Rebello de Sousa Dias, associate professor of physics, published “Physics-informed generative adversarial networks applied to dichroic filters’ properties regression” in Physica Scripta.
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Dias publishes on gold-silver alloys
Mariama Rebello de Sousa Dias, associate professor of physics, published "Anisotropic Optical Response of Gold-Silver Alloys" in Physica Status Solidi (RRL) - Rapid Research Letters.
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Helms Published
Christine Helms, associate professor of physics, published “Variability in individual native fibrin fibers mechanics” in Physical Biology.
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Lipan Published
Ovidiu Lipan, associate professor of physics, published "Optimizing bi-layered periodic structures: a closed-form transfer matrix method based on Pendry-MacKinnon’s discrete Maxwell’s equations" in the Journal of the Optical Society of America B.
View BioPhysics in the News
Five University of Richmond Students Awarded Competitive Gilman Scholarships to Study Abroad
Five University of Richmond students have been offered Gilman Scholarships to support their study abroad experiences.
University of Richmond Ranked No. 1 in Study Abroad Participation by Open Doors Report
The University of Richmond is a leader among peer institutions for study abroad programs according to the latest Open Doors Report.
UR Now: Campus Life
Reasons to be thankful on the UR campus
For students who can’t make it home, there’s still a way to share a meal and enjoy the holiday — turkey, stuffing, and all.
University of Richmond Magazine
An exchange of ideas
Long-standing community connections built by faculty are often at the heart of amazing opportunities for students.
Contact Information
Mailing address:
Department of Physics
Gottwald Center for the Sciences
138 UR Drive
University of Richmond, VA 23173
Phone: (804) 289-8252
Fax: (804) 484-1542
Academic Administrative Manager: Susan Wolski
Chair: Christine Helms