Engineering and Applied Sciences

Three �� Boulder profs win Boettcher Foundation awards

Anonymous — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 23:12:26 +0000

Three �� Boulder profs win Boettcher Foundation awards Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 06/12/2023 - 17:12

The awards are part of $1.88 million in 2023 biomedical research grant funding for Colorado researchers

Three University of Colorado Boulder assistant professors have been named 2023 Boettcher Investigators, each earning $235,000 in grant funding to support up to three years of biomedical research. The 13-year-old program invests in leading Colorado researchers during the early stages of their careers, providing support to fund their independent scientific research.

Nuris Figueroa Morales studies the complex interactions between microorganisms and their environment.

The three �� Boulder award winners and their fields of study are:

Nuris Figueroa, assistant professor, physics; studying the mechanics of mucus organization and transport;
Halil Aydin, assistant professor, biochemistry; investigating cellular and molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial form and function in human health and disease; and
Nick Bottenus, assistant professor, biomedical, mechanics of materials, and robotics and systems design in the College of Engineering and Applied Science; studying binding kinetics of targeted microbubble agents.

Funding for the awards is made possible in part by the Webb-Waring Biomedical Research Awards program, which is administered by the Boettcher Foundation.

“It’s an honor to be acknowledged by a distinguished organization,” Aydin said of the Boettcher Foundation. “The Boettcher Foundation Webb-Waring Biomedical Research Award will grant our laboratory the opportunity to develop novel approaches and push the boundaries of high-resolution imaging and structural cell biology to advance our understanding of how cellular machines function normally, and how they are corrupted by disease. An integrative understanding of how protein machines function has implications for targeting cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, cancers, aging and a wide range of neurodegenerative diseases.”

Halil Aydin is an expert in membrane biology, cell signaling, proteins and enzymology, molecular biophysics, structural biology, and electron cryo-microscopy (cryoEM).

Figueroa also expressed thanks to the Boettcher Webb-Waring Biomedical Research Program and for what the funding will mean for her research team’s work.

“With this research grant, my team and I will have the means to investigate mechanical properties of lung mucus, how it flows, and how bacteria navigate in it,” she said. “Our research will look at the biophysics of lung-obstructive diseases using new quantitative and interdisciplinary tools, to further understand causes and consequences of failed mucus clearance and hopefully device solutions.”

Bottenus said, “Being named a Boettcher Investigator is an amazing career milestone. I’m grateful to become a part of a rich community of biomedical researchers throughout Colorado. This award will allow my group to grow in new directions, applying our acoustics and signal processing techniques to more fundamental biological investigations. I hope that our work will translate to improved diagnostic imaging, personalized medicine, and accessible health care technologies as we pursue new approaches to molecular imaging.”

Assistant Professor Nick Bottenus' research is focused on developing system-level solutions to problems in diagnostic ultrasound imaging.

The awards given to the three �� Boulder assistant professors are part of a larger pot of $1.88 million grant funding awarded to eight individuals from four of Colorado’s research institutions: �� Boulder, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus,Colorado State University and National Jewish Health.

“We are thrilled to support our 2023 Boettcher Investigators, and as proud investors in their work, we are confident that these exceptional researchers will continue to push the boundaries of discovery and medical breakthrough,” said Katie Kramer, president and CEO of the Boettcher Foundation. “Their innovative research holds the promise of transformational impact that will drive progress in health care and make a meaningful difference in the lives of Coloradans.”

Since its inception in 2010, the Webb-Waring Biomedical Research Awards program has advanced the work of 98 Boettcher Investigators with more than $20 million in grant funds. The researchers have attracted more than $150 million in additional independent research funding from federal, state and private sources.

“Colorado BioScience Association applauds Boettcher Foundation’s support of Colorado’s most dynamic and promising researchers,” said Elyse Blazevich, president and CEO of the Colorado BioScience Association.

“The Webb-Waring Biomedical Awards program invests in Colorado researchers at a pivotal time in their careers and encourages them to deepen their roots in Colorado as they contribute to the leading-edge health innovations coming from our state.”

The awards are part of $1.88 million in 2023 biomedical research grant funding for Colorado researchers.

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Program helps students make quantum leap to the future

Anonymous — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 21:05:21 +0000

Program helps students make quantum leap to the future Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 04/05/2023 - 15:05

Doug McPherson

Physics and engineering launch the Quantum Scholars program to develop the next generation quantum workforce

This spring, the Department of Physics and the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences (CEAS) at �� Boulder launched the Quantum Scholars program, which serves 53 undergrads who meet monthly to learn about quantum sciences and engineering.

“Recognizing ��’s leadership in Quantum Information Science and Engineering (QISE), we are seeking to build on our world-class educational programs to establish a community of scholars to advance talent and future leaders in the quantum fields,” says Noah Finkelstein, faculty director of the program and a professor of physics.

“We were slated to only host 20 students with scholarships. But our program now boasts 53 students, 21 with scholarships.”

Noah Finkelstein serves as a PI of the Physics Education Research (PER) group at Colorado and is also a co-Director Center for STEM Learning on campus, which has become one of eight national demonstration sites for the Association of American Universities’ (AAU) STEM Education Initiative. He also serves as Co-Director of the national Network of STEM Education Centers.

The program, which is supported by the Department of Physics, CEAS and some private donor funds, was started by Mike Ritzwoller, chair of physics, and Keith Molenaar, dean of engineering.

Finkelstein says the program is largely modeled on the successful Kiewit Design-Build Scholars Program of engineering, a year-long program that engages engineering students in meaningful conversations about future careers.

“�� is already recognized as a national leader in quantum physics and engineering, including its application and the education of the next generation quantum workforce,” Finkelstein says. “This new scholarship program will help grow, broaden, highlight, diversify and advance efforts in quantum education and workforce development.”

So far this spring, the program has hosted three leaders in quantum sciences and engineering who have showcased some of their work. Jun Ye, a �� Boulder professor of physics, spoke to students on the foundation of quantum physics and how it underpins the development of new technologies in quantum computing, quantum sensing and quantum networking.

Scott Davis, CEO and cofounder of Vescent Photonics, a leading quantum optics and controls manufacturer, talked to students about how to take foundational advancements in science and engineering and turn them into practices and build new capacities for industries.

And David Hume, staff physicist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Boulder, spoke about his projects aimed at developing and improving optical clocks using quantum metrology techniques.

Students are slated to tour governmental facilities and local industries, and begin internships with local companies and national labs.

Finkelstein says the field of quantum sciences is projected to be “an area of tremendous” growth.

“Dr. Davis noted he has nearly a dozen positions open at Vescent, scaling from technicians coming straight from high school or community colleges through to PhD scientists’ positions,” Finkelstein says. “Other companies cite similar numbers.”

In Colorado, quantum industries wield a $400 million-plus economic impact, with more than 1,000 employees and a 46 percent yearly job growth rate.

“Investment in quantum computing, sensing and communication doubled year-to-year in the last several years, and we saw a multi-billion-dollar investment in 2021,” Finkelstein says.

Denali Jah, a second-year student majoring in engineering physics, is part of the Quantum Scholars group. He says the program has given him “a tremendous opportunity to connect with like-minded peers” and gain extracurricular education in the quantum sciences.

“The program helps me learn about how quantum physics is practiced professionally and inspires me to discover the unexplored depths of knowledge,” says Jah, who received a $2,500 scholarship through the program. “The scholarship has allowed me to reduce the number of hours that I have had to work this semester, and that has freed up time for additional scientific exploration and personal development.”

Jah, who plans to become a professor, is focusing on quantum field theory (QFT), a topic that he says is intrinsically linked to the broader topic of quantum physics. “QFT intrigues me because it seeks to answer the fundamental question of what reality is. I believe that this field holds immense potential.”

Finkelstein describes the Quantum Scholars program as “extremely successful.”

Attendance at our programs, engagement in our online community and enthusiasm by students is very clearly an indication of success. Our students have voted—96 percent in favor—of moving from a one-semester to a full-year program in the future."

“Attendance at our programs, engagement in our online community and enthusiasm by students is very clearly an indication of success,” he says. “Our students have voted—96 percent in favor—of moving from a one-semester to a full-year program in the future.”

He adds that the program is also seeking to diversify. He says currently the program is 33 percent female or gender-fluid and 38 percent people of color.

“We’re thrilled that this program will continue for academic year of ’23 and ’24 due to the commitment from the Department of Physics and CEAS,” he says. “We very much hope to grow and we’re seeking support from our alumni, donors, community and industrial partners.”

Physics and engineering launch the Quantum Scholars program to develop the next generation quantum workforce.

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