Science Of Sports
How to sink the perfect putt
Physics professor Christine Helms explains how to use science to putt like a pro.
Machine Learning for Photometric Redshifts in Cosmology
Please join the Department of Physics as they host Evan Jones, University of Richmond Alum and UCLA Astronomy PhD. and Chief Information Officer for Balboa Geolocation for his talk on Machine Learning for Photometric Redshifts in Cosmology. His talk will be in Gottwald Center for the Sciences Room D209 on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Radiation Oncology & Medical Physics
An insight into the clinical tools made possible by radiation physics
Please join the Department of Physics as they host David Hoffman, University of Richmond Alum and Assistant Professor at UC San Diego for his talk on Radiation Oncology & Medical Physics. Dr. Hoffman has experience implementing conventional external beam breast treatment strategies, and novel approaches, including deep inspiration breath hold for VMAT and electron beam therapy. Dr. Hoffman also has experience implementing optical surface tracking technology, to improved accuracy and reproducibility during breast and other treatments. Additionally, he currently oversees the intra-operative radiation therapy (IORT) program for partial breast treatment during surgery at Tri-City Medical Center. His talk will be in Gottwald Center for the Sciences Room D209 on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
UR Students Travel to Virginia Academy of Science Meeting
Seven students representing the University of Richmond physics department attended the annual meeting of the Virginia Academy of Sciences. The conference included research talks and posters presentations representing research taking place throughout the state of Virginia. Dr. Dias and Dr. Helms research groups attended and presented work at the meeting.
This regional meeting offers a great opportunity for students to present their research and receive feedback before presenting at a larger national conference. Such as American Physical Society or American Astronomical Society where Richmond student regularly present.
A list of recent conference presentations can be found here.
UR Physics Majors Present Research at AAS Conference
In January, University of Richmond students Christine Gyure, Mariona Giner Mascarell, and Vikhyat Agarwal participated in the 234th meeting of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) that was held in St. Louis, Missouri.
The AAS is the major organization of professional astronomers in North America. Its mission is to enhance and share humanity’s scientific understanding of the universe as a diverse and inclusive astronomical community. Students from Dr. Ted Bunn’s and Dr. Jack Singal’s research groups presented work.
Students regularly present work are regional and national conferences more information can be found here.
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.
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.
July 26, 2022
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
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.
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Bunn & Undergraduate Student Published
Ted Bunn, E. Claiborne Robins Distinguished Chair in the Liberal Arts and professor of physics, published “Cosmological inflation in N-dimensional Gaussian random fields with algorithmic data compression” with Conner Painter, ’21, in The Open Journal of Astrophysics.
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Lipan Published
Ovidiu Lipan, associate professor of physics, published “Tuning the conductance topology in solids” in the Journal of Applied Physics.
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Bunn & Undergraduate Students Published
Ted Bunn, E. Claiborne Robins Distinguished Chair in the Liberal Arts and professor of physics, published “Optimal method for reconstructing polychromatic maps from broadband observations with an asymmetric antenna pattern” with Brianna Cantrall, ’23, and Solomon Quinn, ’18 in Physical Review D.
View BioPhysics in the News
October 28, 2024
STUDENT EXPERIENCE
Richmond marks decades of civic learning
As the Bonner Center commemorates its 20th anniversary, their Civic Fellows program has also reached a significant milestone, with more than 200 students engaging through internships worldwide.
October 22, 2024
Student Experience
Study abroad for all Spiders
EnCompass celebrates five years of creating opportunities for students to participate in international travel.
October 1, 2024
RESEARCH & INNOVATION
A mentor for all students
Chemistry professor Wade Downey encourages students of various skill levels and majors to discover their passion for research.
July 26, 2024
Faking the moon landing, Money laundering thriving in Canada & Are BC's Killer Whales going extinct?
Physics professor Jack Singal, an astrophysicist, is interviewed on the Canadian radio program “Mornings with Simi,” which aired on additional iHeart radio stations.
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