Introducing the next "Humans of JILA" epsiode for the highly anticipated second part of our PISEC series. PISEC (Partnerships for Informal Science Education in the Community) is an educational outreach and research program within JILA funded by the NSF-Center the JILA Physics Frontier Center (PFC).

Dive deeper into the world of informal physics education with returning insights from the six passionate PISEC members and volunteers you met previously. This episode also introduces two fresh voices in the field, enhancing our exploration of the vital role that physics education plays within the JILA, CU Boulder, and the broader Colorado community. Discover the impactful ways PISEC connects people to science and fosters a lasting enthusiasm for learning. Don't miss these powerful stories of dedication and discovery that highlight the transformative influence of PISEC on both learners and educators alike.

JILA hosted its 8th annual Posterfest, marking a vibrant return to its traditional format after disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Held on April 18, this community event provided a platform for graduate students to showcase their research to the wider JILA community. Structured around three 30-minute presentation intervals, the event was designed to facilitate a broad range of discussions and allowed presenters and attendees to network, explore other projects, and enjoy refreshments together.

JILA Fellow and University of Colorado Physics Professor Heather Lewandowski's novel research has recently been showcased in Space Daily. The article, penned by Clarence Oxford, delves into Lewandowski's innovative experiments with cold Coulomb crystals to explore the chemical dynamics of the Interstellar Medium (ISM)—a complex blend of atoms, ions, and molecules that fill the space between stars.

A recent article in De Standaard highlights the science of timekeeping at JILA. The article, written by Senne Starckx, was inspired by the journalist's recent visit to JILA during their time in Colorado as part of the AAAS conference. While the article is written in Dutch, it highlights the innovations in timekeeping spearheaded by JILA and NIST Fellow Jun Ye. 

In its seventh episode, the "Humans of JILA" podcast highlights the Partnerships for Informal Science Education in the Community (PISEC) program.

PISEC is an educational outreach program supported by JILA's Physics Frontier Center (PFC) and the University of Colorado Boulder. Its mission revolves around connecting university volunteers with local K-12 students. Through playful and engaging inquiry-based science activities, it aims to inspire underrepresented student groups in STEM.

To try to demystify the transition into academia, the JILA postdoc group recently hosted a faculty negotiation panel with a distinguished lineup of speakers: JILA Fellow and NIST Physicist Adam Kaufman, JILA and NIST Fellow Konrad Lehnert, and JILA Fellow Mathias Weber. The discussion was expertly moderated by Rachael Merritt and Jake Higgins, both postdoctoral researchers themselves, who navigated through a comprehensive array of topics with the panelists.

While most physics researchers foresee a career in either academia or industry, a few find themselves using their research experience in a less typical fashion. One of those individuals is Aaron Leanhardt, a former JILA alumnus of JILA and NIST Fellow Eric Cornell's group, who has joined the New York Yankees' as the team's chief analyst. 

To celebrate International Women in Science Day 2024, JILA is honoring the work and legacy of the late Deborah Jin, a pioneer in polar molecular quantum chemistry.

Jin’s groundbreaking work significantly impacted JILA (a joint institute of the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the University of Colorado Boulder) and the wider field of physics, marking her as an inspiring figure for this year’s International Women in Science Day. 

JILA proudly hosted its 2nd Annual Great Bake Off, marking another successful year of this delightful culinary competition. The event, which has quickly become a cherished tradition, showcases the exceptional baking talents within the JILA community. From cakes to cookies to breads, JILAns, including graduate students, postdocs, staff, and Fellows participated in the institute-wide event. 

JILA Fellow and NIST physicist Adam Kaufman was recently highlighted in a CUbit Quantum Initiative video as part of CUbit's larger NSF-funded organization Q-SEnSE (Quantum Systems through Entangled Science and Engineering). In the video, Kaufman discusses how to use optical tweezer systems, a web of laser lights, to enhance the measurements of atomic clocks. 

In a significant development, researchers led by JILA and NIST/CU Boulder's Professor Jun Ye, alongside their peers, are harnessing the power of quantum squeezing to revolutionize our understanding of the universe. As detailed in a recent MIT Technology Review article, this innovative approach is set to enhance the detection of gravitational waves and improve the precision of atomic clocks, promising new insights into cosmic phenomena and the fundamental laws of physics.

In a world where the precision of timekeeping is paramount, the leap second and leap day are critical adjustments to align our clocks and calendars with the astronomical realities of Earth's orbit around the sun. JILA and NIST Fellow Judah Levine, an esteemed figure in time synchronization, recently shared his insights with both The New York Times and Denver 7 News, elucidating the complexities and significance of these temporal adjustments.

JILA and NIST Fellow Dr. Eric Cornell is one of two Nobel Laureates currently working at JILA. In this episode, you'll hear the story of how Cornell worked to discover the BEC (Bose-Einstein-Condensate), which earned him a Nobel Prize in 2001, and how the Nobel Prize has affected his career. You'll also hear about Cornell's current research and meet one of his graduate students Anzhou Wang, who discusses what it's like working for a Nobel laureate.

A new bnn article delves into the recent research done by JILA and NIST Fellows Ana Maria Rey and James Thompson and their research groups who have achieved what was once thought to be a distant dream: the creation of an ultra-cold gas of strontium atoms exhibiting superconductor-like behavior. This achievement marks the first-ever observation of the long-anticipated third superconductivity phase, setting a new precedent in the field.

A recent article for Inside GNSS, a leading media outlet dedicated to global navigation satellite systems, spotlights a groundbreaking advancement in the realm of precision timekeeping done by JILA and NIST Fellows Jun Ye and James Thompson, who have set a new benchmark in the accuracy of optical atomic clocks, overcoming a fundamental challenge known as quantum projection noise (QPN).

In a vibrant celebration of International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2024, women of JILA's scientific community gathered in the Debbie Jin Rooms (S209) for a unique networking event designed to foster connections and celebrate the achievements of women in the field of science. The event attracted a variety of participants, ranging from first-year graduate students to 3rd-year postdocs, and offered a casual yet intimate setting for attendees to share experiences, challenges, and accomplishments.

In the bustling realm of scientific exploration, there are individuals whose dedication allows them to stand out as a leader within their research group. Such is the case for JILA graduate student Luca Giuseppe Talamo, a researcher within JILA Fellow Cindy Regal’s group.

To make some of the most precise measurements in the world, JILA scientists need customized electronic components. This is where the JILA instrument shop comes in, as they design, improve, and implement these unique electronic devices throughout the institute. Meet three of the electronic staff members: Terry Brown, James Fung-A-Fat, and Ivan Ryger, and their favorite moments of working in the electronics shop

In a recent highlight in AZO Optics, a premier online publication dedicated to the optics and photonics community, JILA's groundbreaking advancements in laser technology have been brought into the limelight. The feature, which serves as a testament to JILA's pioneering work in the field of quantum science and precision measurement, showcases the institute's continuous efforts to push the boundaries of what's possible with laser technology.

JILA has been highlighted in a recent Denver Post article showcasing the importance of Colorado's TechHub distinction by President Joe Biden.