News

""

Mathew Madhavacheril and Co-Researchers Receive Funding from RCSA for Scialog Initiative

A team including Mathew Madhavacheril, an assistant professor of physics and astronomy in the School of Arts & Sciences, is among the first-ever recipients of funding from a new initiative supporting an ambitious 10-year project. The undertaking aims to answer pressing questions about dark energy, dark matter, and supermassive black holes, among other space phenomena.

	khoury_new.

Justin Khoury named Edmund J. and Louise W. Kahn Term Professor of Physics and Astronomy

The chair was awarded by the university in recognition of Justin’s distinguished scholarship and teaching, as well as his service and leadership in our department and in the School of Arts and Sciences. The Kahn chairs were established through a bequest by Edmund J. and Louise W. Kahn. Edmund Kahn was a 1925 Wharton graduate who had a highly successful career in the oil and natural gas industry. Louise Kahn, a graduate of Smith College, worked for Newsweek and owned an interior design firm.

""

Congratulations to Professor Mark Devlin

Great news!
 
Professor Mark Devlin has been elected 2025 Member of the National Academy of Sciences!
""

Appointment of Professor Justin Khoury as co-Director of the Center for Particle Cosmology

The Center for Particle Cosmology would like to announce an important leadership change. Professor Mark Trodden, who has co-directed the center since its founding in 2009, was recently announced as the new Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, and has decided to step down as co-Director, effective May 1, 2025. Professor Trodden will, however, continue as a key member and contributor to the Center.

""

Congratulations to Max Cohen!

We are pleased to announce that Max Cohen is the recipient of the 2025-2026 Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Innovation (CETLI) Fellowship.

""

Congratulations Dr. Monica Jinwoo Kang!

We are pleased to announce that the 2025 AKPA Outstanding Young Researcher Award (OYRA) will be awarded to Dr.
""

Mark Trodden named dean of Penn’s School of Arts & Sciences

Mark Trodden has been named dean of the School of Arts & Sciences and the Thomas S. Gates Jr. Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, effective June 1. The announcement was made today by Penn President J. Larry Jameson and Provost John L. Jackson Jr.

In the Arnold Mathijssen lab, researchers used a gooseneck kettle, coffee grinder, and a pour-over setup alongside precise measurements and high-speed analysis to study the fluid dynamics and mechanics of coffee brewing to uncover ways to maximize flavor with fewer grounds. The findings could help researchers understand fluid dynamics.

For a better cup of coffee, look to physics

Researchers led by Arnold Mathijssen of the School of Arts & Sciences have applied fluid mechanics to brew the best cup of pour-over coffee using the fewest granules. The findings have potential application to other systems such as surface erosion, filtration, and even wastewater management.

Arnold Mathijssen

2025 Dean's Award for Mentorship of Undergraduate Research

Arnold Mathijssen is the recipient of the 2025 Dean's Award for Mentorship of Undergraduate Research. This award recognizes Professor Mathijssen’s multi-dimensional contributions to undergraduate education in the School of Arts and Sciences. The Dean's Award for Mentorship of Undergraduate Research is presented to SAS standing faculty members for meaningful engagement of undergraduate students in research due to exceptional nurturing and facilitating by faculty.

""

Correlated Structural and Optical Characterization of Hexagonal Boron Nitride

Correlative imaging using transmission electron microscopy and photoluminescence microscopy reveals the complex connections between material morphology, surface contaminants, and optical properties of hexagonal boron nitride.