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Undergraduate and Fifth-Year Research

Student working with instrument in physics

Opportunities to Pursue Research

We believe it is important for undergraduates to make an early transition from classroom work to the more direct and active learning process involved in research. By becoming involved in research and collaborating with others, you’ll acquire a high degree of exposure and self-reliance.

How soon should you get involved in research? It depends on your level of ability and your motivation. However, the earlier you begin, the more rewarding your project will be. Most physics majors start in their junior year, but some have been known to begin in their first or sophomore year.

What Might You Research?

Your research usually will connect to the work of a faculty mentor. Research in the department is broadly concentrated in the experimental and theoretical study of condensed matter physics 鈥 a term for the physics of solids, gases, and liquids.

Our faculty’s experimental research focuses on:

  • Granular matter
  • Fluid dynamics
  • Applied mechanics
  • Scanning tunneling microscopy
  • Correlated electron systems
  • Superconductivity
  • Renewable energy technology
  • Complex microbial ecosystems

Our faculty’s theoretical research includes:

  • Computational physics
  • Computer simulation studies of phase transitions
  • Investigating theoretical and computational problems at the interface of physics and biology

Collaboration

Although the stereotype of a scientist might be that of a solitary worker working in a laboratory late at night, the reality is that researchers collaborate with other scientists from all over the world and across disciplines.

Our faculty regularly collaborate with colleagues at other institutions, and are involved in interdisciplinary research on active matter, environmental issues, physics education, and the technology of renewable energy.

Additional Opportunities

  • Publications: Our undergraduates often publish papers in refereed journals along with their faculty advisers and other collaborators.
  • Presentations: Share your research at 顶级国产视频鈥檚 annual undergraduate Fall Fest and Academic Spree Day events.
  • Student Journal: Submit your research for publication in 顶级国产视频’s student-run .

Recent Honors Theses

  • Ram Sharma: “Density Driven Instability During Granular Injection in a Hele-Shaw Cell”
  • Greg Jones: 鈥淢odeling Traffic with 3D Printed Soft Robots鈥
  • Camille Bales: 鈥淎ngular Dependence of the FFLO State in BETS Superconductors鈥
  • Burhan Ahmed: 鈥淎nalysis of Charge Density Wave States and Strain in CeTe2鈥
  • Bernny Ramirez: 鈥淟umbriculus variegatus Locomotion in Granular Media鈥
  • Yonatan Hazan: 鈥淒esigning a 2-Axis Solar Tracker in Order to Maximize Efficiency鈥
  • Lubaina Selani: 鈥淯nderstanding the structural and surface electronic properties of cuprous oxide nanocubes鈥
  • Max Newman: 鈥淩econditioning and testing a Small Radio Telescope鈥
  • Donny Pearson: 鈥淪TM, SEM, and Self-Assembly of Cuprous Oxide Nanocubes鈥
  • Matthew Alvarado-Ross: 鈥淎nalysis of Charge Density Wave States and Lattice Strain in TbTe3

Summer 2019 Research

  • Paul Chapman
  • Owen Ganter
  • Samuel Hoang
  • Trang Hoang
  • Trinh Huynh
  • Abhiram Kolluri
  • Jacob Kolodney
  • Jack LaVelle
  • Schuyler McDonough
  • Matthew Pacenka
  • Alejandra Rosselli Calderon
  • Aandishah Samara
  • James ’39 and Ada Bickman Summer Science Research Internship: Matthew Pacenka
  • Bruce and Shari Weiller Summer Undergraduate Research Award: Alejandra Rosselli
  • Maurine H. Milburn Summer Research Fellowship: Owen Ganter, Abhiram Kolluri and Jacob Kolodney
  • Albert C. Erickson ’30 Summer Research Award: Trihn Huynh and Jack LaVelle
  • Stanley Geschwind Memorial Summer Research Internship for Physics Undergraduates: Schuyler McDonough

University Funds

  • Trang Hoang: LEEP and Noyce Funds
  • Samuel Hoang: LEEP Funds
  • Aandishah Samara: Global Scholars Fund

External Funds

  • Liana Shpani: REU: University of South Florida, Physics and Medical Engineering
  • Michael O鈥機onnor: REU: Northwestern University, Materials Science and Engineering Department

Student Research Stories

Curiosity drives senior鈥檚 traffic pattern research

Greg Jones uses physics technology, 3D printing to examine how backups form

Liana Shpani makes a quantum leap

Sophomore looks for patterns in the universe at a microscopic level

Solar project aims to power cell phones

Megan McIntyre taps into sun's energy

Contact Information

Department of Physics

Office Location
  • Math-Physics Building, Physics
    Room 241
    950 Main Street
    Worcester, MA 01610

  • 1-508-793-7169
  • 1-508-793-8861 Fax