K-State Physics Alumni Newsletter

Connecting with Physics

Reflections from Head Tim Bolton

The department is thrilled to welcome you to another year of discovery and connection. As I look back on the milestones of the past year and look toward the future, I am reminded that our community—our people—is the true heart of our scientific mission.

 

Physics in Focus

Igniting Curiosity Across Kansas and Beyond

At its heart, science is a conversation, and we’ve been taking that conversation on the road. Our department is dedicated to more than just high-level research and teaching in the hallways of Cardwell Hall; we are committed to being a spark for the Kansas community. By bringing hands-on experiments and demos to students of all ages, we’re breaking down the barriers to STEM and showing that anyone can be a scientist.

The energy of the 2025 and 2026 K-State Open Houses were electric as visitors of all ages explored the hallways and lawn of Cardwell Hall. Emeritus Professor Chris Sorensen stole the show with his signature demo performance, while our faculty and students turned complex theories into "wow" moments.

Our commitment to the next generation of scientists starts early. We’ve had a blast bringing sensory-driven science to the youngest explorers at the Wonder Workshop Science Club and the Cool Care Club. Whether its preschoolers witnessing the "egg-in-a-bottle" mystery or older students exploring the world through infrared cameras, we love helping local classrooms discover the magic of physics in everyday life.

 

Department Hosts Nobel Laureate Eric Cornell

Peterson Lecture and STEM Experience Day Inspire Students Across the Region

The department welcomed Nobel Prize–winning physicist Eric Cornell in April for a series of events aimed at connecting world-class quantum research with the next generation of scientific explorers. By bringing a Nobel laureate face-to-face with curious young minds, the visit helped make complex physics feel both tangible and inspiring for future innovators.

 

An Element of Gratitude

K-State Honors the High School Heroes Behind our STEM Students

Over the past two years, the College of Arts & Sciences has come together to celebrate a vital group of educators—those who do far more than teach formulas and facts. They ignite the spark of scientific curiosity.

The Kansas State High School Science Teacher of the Year awards were first proposed in 2023 by a coalition of department heads. Recognizing the profound impact of secondary education, they envisioned a formal way to honor inspirational teachers across the state who leave an indelible mark on their students’ lives. The idea was enthusiastically embraced across the college, launching a proud new tradition.

The Next Generation of Physicists

Undergraduate Research Highlights

For many undergraduate physics majors, summer isn't just a break from classes—it is an open runway to dive headfirst into cutting-edge research. Last summer, several of our undergraduate students took full advantage of these opportunities, pursuing world-class research across the globe and right here at K-State.

 

Dual Major, Singular Focus

Goldwater Scholar Vivien Nguyen is Engineering the Future of Physics

K-State junior Vivien Nguyen has been awarded the prestigious Barry Goldwater Scholarship, the nation’s premier undergraduate award for excellence in STEM research.

A dedicated dual major in physics and mechanical engineering, Nguyen has built an extraordinary research portfolio that spans multiple scientific fields. Through K-State’s Developing Scholars Program, she has already conducted several distinct mentored research projects, including exploring biomolecular phase separation alongside Physics Professor Jeremy Schmit.

 

Undergraduate Spotlight: Caitlin Solis

The Resilience of a Scientist

Undergraduate Spotlight: Adam Collins

The Physics of Perseverance: From the Front Lines to the Classroom

Most students consider a heavy course load and a part-time job a "busy" schedule. For senior physics major Adam Collins, "busy" means balancing a full-time overnight shift as a paramedic at Irwin Army Community Hospital on the local military based, Fort Riley, while tackling the physics classroom by day in addition to his role as husband and father of three.

“He is the most remarkable physics major I have worked with in my 40-year career,” says department head Tim Bolton. It is a high bar, but one Adam clears with ease.

Adam’s path to K-State was anything but traditional. After high school, he followed a call to service, enlisting in the Army in 2012 as a combat medic. His service included an eight-month deployment to Afghanistan, where he provided life-saving treatment to U.S. and NATO soldiers, Afghan civilians, and adversaries alike—often making split-second, life-or-death decisions under hostile fire.

 

 

The Graduate Engine

New Faces, Major Milestones, and Global Footprints

From local sub-basements to international mega-labs, our graduate students have had an extraordinarily busy and impactful year. A massive influx of new talent, critical academic milestones, and a heavy presence at global conferences show that the heartbeat of K-State Physics is stronger than ever.

 

 

Doctoral Candidate Receives Award

Parker Poulos Selected for Graduate Student Council Teaching Award

The department is proud to celebrate Parker Poulos, a doctoral candidate from Mount Sterling, Kentucky, as a recipient of this year’s Graduate Student Council (GSC) Award for Graduate Student Teaching Excellence. One of only two university-wide honorees, Parker was recognized for her vital role in K-State’s educational mission and received a $500 scholarship for her achievement.

"Parker’s dedication to her students is a perfect example of the impact our graduate teaching assistants have on the K-State community," said Tim Bolton, physics head. "Her work has been especially instrumental in developing and refining our General Physics course as we took it online, ensuring it was ready to provide a high-quality, accessible experience for all students. We are proud to see her excellence recognized at the university level."

Parker’s teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that students learn best through collaboration and that physics should be accessible to everyone. She especially enjoys teaching non-physics majors, helping them connect complex concepts to their own academic interests.

 

Zane Phelps Selected for Prestigious DOE Program

AMO Candidate Selected for Office of Science Graduate Student Research Award

Graduate research assistant Zane Phelps was selected for the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) program. Phelps was one of only 79 doctoral students chosen nationwide in the program's highly competitive application cycle.

The SCGSR program is designed to prepare outstanding graduate students for careers critical to the DOE mission, ensuring the nation remains at the forefront of global discovery and technological innovation.

As part of the award, Zane spent last fall conducting cutting-edge research on-site at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in Menlo Park, California. Operating a two-mile-long particle accelerator and some of the world's most powerful X-ray lasers, SLAC provides a premier sandbox for the brightest minds in physics.

Zane is pursuing his Ph.D. in Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) physics. He conducts his local research in K-State's own DOE-funded James R. Macdonald Laboratory under the guidance and advisement of Professor Daniel Rolles.

"This program is a phenomenal springboard for a young physicist. Zane's selection highlights not only his personal talent and hard work but also the world-class caliber of the graduate training and research infrastructure we provide right here at K-State." — Professor Daniel Rolles.

Conducting doctoral research at a premier national laboratory afforded Zane the opportunity to l gain access to specialized equipment, unique collaborative networks, and invaluable hands-on training that will continue to shape the trajectory of his scientific career.

Nabila Majeed Earns National Recognition

High Energy Physics Graduate Research Assistant has an Award Winning Year

High-energy physics graduate research assistant Nabila Majeed has had an outstanding year, securing a prestigious research award and winning national acclaim for her science advocacy work.

Nabila’s research capabilities earned her a Universities Research Association (URA) Visiting Scholars Award, allowing her to spend a year conducting hands-on research on-site at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. This highly competitive award provides graduate students with invaluable opportunities to utilize world-class facilities and collaborate with leading scientists at the nation's premier particle physics laboratory.

A Fond, Quiet Farewell

Celebrating Brett Esry’s K-State Legacy

The department is reflecting on the exceptional career of University Distinguished Professor Brett Esry, whose retirement last summer came as a complete surprise to everyone. While we have not yet had the opportunity to formally gather and celebrate his decades of contributions, his impact remains profound and far-reaching.

Brett’s path in atomic physics began right here at K-State as an undergraduate researcher under C.D. Lin. After graduating in 1993, he moved west to the University of Colorado Boulder, working with Chris H. Greene at JILA. His doctoral work was prolific, spanning many-body theory in Bose-Einstein condensation to the study of Efimov states. This exceptional start earned him the Deborah Jin Award for Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Research in Atomic, Molecular, or Optical Physics in in 1999 from the American Physical Society.

Following a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship at the Institute for Theoretical Atomic and Molecular Physics (ITAMP) at Harvard, Brett returned to his alma mater in 1999. He rose through the ranks with remarkable speed, focusing his research on ultracold few-body collisions and the interactions of matter with intense lasers.

 

From Student to Steward

Vincent Needham Retires after 41 Years

The department celebrated the retirement of Vincent Needham, an alumnus and mainstay of the department who provided us with 41 years of technical leadership. From maintaining high-speed accelerators to pioneering our digital infrastructure, Vince’s career was instrumental to the success of the James R. Macdonald Laboratory (JRML).

 

New Faculty Spotlight

Welcoming Dr. Qiaoyi (Joey) Liu to the Physics Faculty

The Department of Physics is pleased to welcome Dr. Qiaoyi (Joey) Liu, who joined our faculty in Fall 2026 as a Teaching Assistant Professor. Joey’s appointment allocates 30% of his time to Physics Education Research (PER), where he joins the ranks of JT Laverty and the emeritus—but still very active—Dean Zollman in this vital field.

Joey brings a unique and robust background to the department. He earned his Bachelor’s degree at Case Western Reserve University before moving to The Ohio State University, where he completed both an M.S. and a Ph.D. in experimental Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) Physics.

Following his doctoral work, Joey pivoted his focus toward the future of pedagogy. He completed a postdoctoral research position in PER at the University of Colorado-Boulder under the mentorship of Heather Lewandowski, honing his skills in how students best internalize complex physical concepts.

 

 

Faculty Philanthropy

A Legacy of Excellence in Cardwell Hall

When it comes to advancing scientific discovery, the faculty in K-State Physics don’t just teach and conduct world-class research—they personally invest in the department’s future. In an extraordinary display of community philanthropy, two of our most distinguished emeritus professors have recently established major legacy funds. Driven by a shared vision to reward and retain exceptional junior faculty during the most critical stages of their careers, these gifts ensure that K-State Physics remains a premier destination for pioneering physics.

 

Rare Double Honor

Dr. Meng Han Secures Prestigious DOE and NSF Early Career Awards

The department is celebrating an extraordinary achievement as Assistant Professor Meng Han joins an elite group of young scientists nationwide who have secured both the Department of Energy (DOE) Early Career Research Award and the National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award.

 

Discovery in Action

A Look Inside Our Research Groups

Graphene, Grit, and the 9th Symphony

A Profile of Chris Sorensen

For Distinguished Professor Emeritus Chris Sorensen, a 45-year career traces back to a single, scary, adrenaline-fueled afternoon. Tasked with an Engineering Physics recitation as his first teaching assignment here at K-State, he "prepared his ass off" only to find an unexpected thrill once the session began. "I didn't realize how much fun I was having," he recalls. "I walked out thinking, 'Was that as good for you as it was for me?'" He was hooked on teaching from that moment on.

Alumni Spotlights

Jeff Murray

BS 2016

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Travis Severt

PhD 2021

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From Kansas Rockets to Robotics Pioneer

A Homecoming with Alumnus Dr. Ralph L. Hollis, Jr.

The department welcomed Dr. Ralph L. Hollis, Jr. for a visit that was as much a trip through history as it was a lesson in scientific innovation. A native Kansan and proud physics alumnus, Dr. Hollis returned to Manhattan to share the remarkable journey that took him from a family farm near Wichita to the cutting edge of robotics at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU).

 

Physics Alumni Making Waves Around the World

Our alumni network continues to be a source of great pride for the K-State Physics community, spanning diverse careers across academia, industry, and national laboratory research. In this section, we celebrate the latest professional achievements, fellowship awards, and personal milestones of a few of our graduates around the world.

 

From the Stacks to the Stars

Honoring Cliff and Clara Conrad

We are grateful to recognize Cliff and Clara Conrad, longtime friends and generous supporters whose contributions through the Cliff and Clara Physics Scholarship have helped so many of our students achieve their goal of graduating with a degree in physics.

Cliff’s connection to Kansas State is deep and personal. Before retiring in 2011, he spent his career as a pillar of the K-State Libraries, including a meaningful tenure in the Math/Physics Library where he was a daily ally to our faculty and students.

Outside of his professional life, Cliff is an avid sailor and a longtime member of the Blue Valley Yacht Club at Tuttle Creek. Today, he and Clara, enjoy a well-earned retirement, splitting their time between Manhattan and Mexico.

Cliff and Clara’s generosity toward our department go beyond financial support; it is a testament to their belief in the next generation of scientists. Through their scholarship, our physics students receive more than financial support—they receive the encouragement of a friend who truly understands our mission.

In Memoriam

Honoring Dr. Charles Hathaway and Dr. Robert “Bob” Panoff

The Department of Physics mourns the passing of two former faculty members whose contributions left a lasting impact on our community and the broader scientific world.

Dr. Charles Hathaway, former faculty member and department head, passed away on August 5, 2025, in Little Rock, Arkansas. Dr. Hathaway served the K-State Physics community with distinction until 1981, providing the strong leadership and forward-thinking vision that helped shape the modern trajectory of our department.

In particular, his legacy lives on through K-State's globally recognized Physics Education Research (PER) group. Emeritus Professor Dean Zollman notes that Dr. Hathaway was directly responsible for the group's creation. He served as the major professor for Jackie Spears, who earned K-State’s first advanced degree in the field (an M.S. in 1972). Recognizing the discipline's immense value, Dr. Hathaway then led a successful tenure-track search that resulted in the pivotal hiring of Zollman himself.

Following his impactful tenure in Manhattan, Dr. Hathaway built an exceptionally distinguished career in higher education administration, earning widespread recognition for expanding educational access and opportunities in engineering and the sciences.

More information about his remarkable life, leadership, and enduring career can be found in his full obituary through the Arkansas Online portal.

We also learned of the passing of Dr. Robert “Bob” Panoff, who served as a member of the K-State Physics faculty from 1986 to 1988. Dr. Panoff passed away on September 22, 2025. Beyond his years in Manhattan, he was widely recognized as a passionate educator and a pioneer in computational science education, dedicating much of his career to making advanced computing concepts accessible to students and teachers around the world. His obituary and a tribute to his life and legacy are available through the Cole Funeral Home portal.

The department extends its heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, former students, and colleagues of both Dr. Hathaway and Dr. Panoff. We are grateful for their service to Kansas State University and for the enduring impact they made through their dedication to education, scholarship, and scientific discovery.