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.
Upcoming Courses
The Discovery of the Quark
Join us for a talk with Mac Mestayer, Ph.D. on Wednesday, Sepember 16, 2026 in Gottwald Center for the Sciences D209 from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.. Mestayer is an experimental physicist recently retired from Jefferson Lab, a national accelerator center for nuclear physics. At Jefferson Lab he was responsible for the design, construction and commissioning of the particle tracking system for the CLAS detector. His research focused on understanding the quark structure of baryons like the protons and the neutrons that make up the atomic nucleus. Join us to hear more about his research and career.
Summer Research, from the universe to nanomaterials
We had an active summer of research in the physics department with 9 students taking part in research on campus and still more participating in research and internships at other universities or businesses. Those on campus presented at the local Virginia Academy of Sciences conference, gathered for ice cream socials and competed in the annual science field game event known as the Gottwald Games.
Conference Season
Throughout the year students present their research at various local, regional, and national conferences. The spring semester is particularly busy with students regularly attending the American Astronomical Society meeting in January and the American Physical Society Global Summit in March as well as regional conferences like the Virginia Academy of Sciences. Congratulations to everyone whose work culminated in an accepted abstract and poster or oral presentation!
Society of Physics Students (SPS) wins Distinguished Chapter Award
The University of Richmond Society of Physics Students was recognized by the national office with a distinguished chapter award for their work during the 2024-2025 academic year. During the year the SPS hosted events like Astronomy nights, deconstruction nights, and the physics picnic. They also went to lunch with guest speakers and hosted the student part of the physics awards ceremony. Congratulations to all work worked to support our physics community!
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.
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.
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
Singal and student reveal new strategies for mapping the sky with the Green Bank Telescope
Jack Singal, professor of physics, published “Observing Strategies for Making a 310 MHz Absolute Map with the Green Bank Telescope" in Research Notes of the AAS along with Owen Schardt, '27, about strategies for mapping the sky with the Green Bank Telescope.
Singal and students publish on classifier reducing galaxy distance errors
Jack Singal, professor of physics, published "Leveraging Redshift Probabilities and Machine Learning Classification to Identify Catastrophic Outlier Photometric Redshift Estimates" in The Astrophysical Journal along with Jason Yoo, '26, and Christine Gyure, '25.
Dias receives Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award
Mariama Rebello de Sousa Dias, associate professor of physics, received the 2026 School of Arts & Sciences (A&S) Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award. The award recognizes A&S faculty members who have accumulated an exemplary record in mentoring students working on research and creative projects outside of the classroom.
Belk receives University of Richmond Outstanding Service Award
Matthew Belk, physics lab manager, received the University of Richmond 2026 Outstanding Service Award. The award recognizes staff from across campus who have made a unique difference to the University of Richmond community.
Physics in the News
America Is Finally Taking Extraterrestrials Seriously
Physics professor Jack Singal, an astrophysicist, is quoted.
America Is Finally Taking Extraterrestrials Seriously
Physics professor Jack Singal, an astrophysicist, is quoted.
UR Now: ALUMNI
The next stop for some members of the University of Richmond Class of 2026: Top graduate schools
Meet five new alumni who are heading to graduate school at Cambridge/MIT, Columbia, Duke, University of Michigan, and University of Southern California.
UR Now: UNIVERSITY NEWS
Peace Corps ranks University of Richmond among the top 10 volunteer-producing colleges and universities
Spiders are working for peace around the world.
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