News: Faculty

2025

Reconsidering the cosmological constant

September 8, 2025

artist illustration of galaxies forming in the early universe

UChicago astrophysicists’ physics-based models suggest dark energy may be evolving.


The Arthur H. Compton Lecture Series presents an intro to climate systems engineering

September 8, 2025

view of Earth from space lit up at night

A series of free public talks will examine the science, technologies, and policy implications behind large-scale interventions such as sunlight reflection methods (SRM), open-systems carbon removal, and glacial preservation. The series will feature leading researchers from the University of Chicago’s Climate Systems Engineering initiative (CSEi) and runs every Saturday morning at 11 a.m. from October 4 to November 22, 2025.


Introducing new faculty in the Physical Sciences Division 2025-26

September 8, 2025

new PSD faculty 2025-26 academic year

Please welcome the faculty joining the Physical Sciences Division in the ’25–26 academic year.


Advanced computer modeling predicts molecular-qubit performance

August 29, 2025

Scientists have developed a computational method for predicting the performance of chromium molecular systems, shown here.

Giulia Gallia and Argonne scientists develop a computational method to design molecular qubits with precision, paving the way for advanced quantum technologies.


UChicago chemistry professors recognized with prestigious ACS Awards

August 29, 2025

Combined photo of Dimitri Talapin and John Anderson.

Dmitri Talapin and John Anderson honored for their pioneering contributions to chemistry.


Scientists program cells to create ‘biological qubit’ in quantum breakthrough

August 29, 2025

University of Chicago Ph.D. candidate Jacob Feder, left, and study co-first author Benjamin Soloway working in the lab.

David Awschalom was involved in multidisciplinary effort that has designed quantum tech that can be produced naturally by cells.


Another Earth-like exoplanet crossed off the list: the JWST shows that GJ 3929b has no atmosphere

August 29, 2025

An artist's illustration of the rocky exoplanet GJ 3929

UChicago astronomers using JWST reveal GJ 3929b is a bare rock, lacking atmosphere, advancing our understanding of rocky exoplanet evolution.


Building a quantum powerhouse in the US Midwest

August 29, 2025

Photo of David Awschalom and Preeti Chalsani.

UChicago’s David Awschalom joins Physics World Weekly to discuss how Illinois is emerging as a hub for quantum innovation with labs and industry.


AI now matches prediction markets in forecasting real events, study finds

August 29, 2025

Photo of an artificial human.

University of Chicago’s Prophet Arena pits AI models against live prediction markets. Early results suggest machines can match, and sometimes beat, the wisdom of crowds.


Researchers engineer cells to develop biological qubits in pioneering multidisciplinary breakthrough

August 29, 2025

Purple, blue, and red bacteria.

UChicago scientists including David Awschalom turn fluorescent proteins into living qubits, pioneering quantum sensing inside cells and reshaping bioimaging.


Cybersecurity training doesn’t work: time wasted with no impact, study finds

August 29, 2025

Hands breaking apart a red shield with cracks forming in it.

UChicago and UCSD study finds cybersecurity training barely reduces phishing risk, 56% of employees clicked fake links in tests.


Sensors could permanently fly in the “ignorosphere” using novel propulsion technique

August 29, 2025

Example of how photophoresis works in the atmosphere as a propulsion mechanism.

UChicago and Harvard researchers use photophoresis to design tiny flyers for monitoring Earth’s elusive mesosphere.


Scientists have created a protein qubit inside a living cell

August 29, 2025

Purple light shining on a scientist working on a petri dish with a syringe.

An incredible breakthrough brings quantum-scale precision sensing to living biological systems.


Diamond biosensors detect 49 biomolecules for faster diagnostics

August 29, 2025

Chemical chain of elements.

UChicago team develops diamond biosensor detecting 49 biomolecules at once, paving the way for faster, scalable medical diagnostics.


Can red dwarf planets support life? Webb investigates TRAPPIST-1

August 29, 2025

Photo of a black object in front of a large red dwarf.

UChicago & Montréal researchers using NASA’s Webb find TRAPPIST-1 d lacks an Earth-like atmosphere, ruling it out as a potential twin.