Physics research expo highlights undergrad research, industry connections
On Friday, April 10, more than 25 students presented their research at the 2026 Physics and Quantum Undergraduate Research Expo, an event that brought together undergraduate research with talks from industry executives Safy Fishov and Billy Landuyt.
Students presented their work in student showcases—30-second “elevator pitches” of their research—designed to highlight each project before the poster sessions. During the poster sessions, students explained their findings to peers, faculty, and guests, including several engineers from AMD.
"The Research Expo celebrates the outstanding work of physics students and members of the Quantum Scholars community, showcasing the depth and creativity of their intellectual contributions,” says Mike Ritzwoller, physics professor of distinction and co-director of Quantum Scholars. “These students are among the most research-active undergraduates at the university.”
Research presentations spanned a range of fields including biophysics, astrophysics, condensed matter, quantum science and engineering, high energy and particle physics, and atomic, molecular and optical physics.
Building the scientific community and providing professional development were key goals of the expo. “Showcasing professional work is what we do in the academy,” says Noah Finkelstein, a distinguished professor of physics and emcee of the expo. “This is both developmental for students professionally and a key step as they become members of the scholarly community.”
This spring’s research expo was supported by AMD, and is one of two cornerstone events offered by the Department of Physics dedicated to student development. Paired with the Physics and Quantum Career Fair in the fall, the expo anchors a yearlong cycle of opportunities preparing undergraduates for academic and professional success.
Student leaders from Quantum Scholars and the Society of Physics Students co-organized the expo, with support from staff in physics and engineering. Over the last few years, the expo has evolved, with each organizing team adding its own personal touch.
“Seeing the final product of an idea we had around 8 months ago was something truly special to me,” says Joey Pontiff, physics senior and co-organizer of the expo. “Our idea changed and grew into something better than we originally thought.”
“The experience, knowledge, and mentorship we received from everyone along the way allowed us to grow as leaders and community builders,” adds Pontiff.
Industry execs share advice
Now in its third year, the physics-focused research expo expanded to include industry leaders. Inviting industry speakers was “a key element” in bridging classroom learning and lab-based research to the world beyond academia, according to Noah Finkelstein.
Safy Fishov, Corporate Vice President of OEM Sales at AMD, and Billy Landuyt, US Gulf Coast Carbon Capture and Storage Business Manager at ExxonMobil, described their career paths, highlighted what companies are looking for, and gave advice on how students can best prepare for future roles in industry.
Landuyt earned his bachelor’s degree in physics and math from CU Boulder, where he, like many of the undergrad presenters, wrote and defended an honors thesis. Undecided about what field to pursue, he completed a PhD in geology and geophysics at Yale Թ, followed by a postdoctoral research position at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. He then began his career at ExxonMobil.
Landuyt said the skills he learned as an undergrad defending his honors research, like asking questions, building a case, communicating clearly, and defending answers, have carried through to his work in industry.
Fishov also highlighted the critical need for communication skills and noted that sometimes getting out of your comfort zone can be key to success. After completing his bachelor’s in electrical engineering at Boston Թ and a master’s degree at UC San Diego, Fishov began his career in industry.
In one of his first roles, Fishov was based in Shenzhen, China, where he had to quickly learn the language and the culture, while building a team of engineers to support customers in that region. His advice to future job seekers? Get uncomfortable and go to new places. Those experiences helped him learn the business in a different perspective and contributed to his successful career at AMD.
During the expo’s fireside chat (complete with an image of a fireplace), Finkelstein emphasized the importance of connection and networking, advising students to “double-down on the communities and networks” they already have.
“This event and connection with industry leaders humanizes the process,” says Finkelstein. “These leading industry executives shared their stories, reflected on their experiences when sitting in the students’ shoes, and celebrated the work that these remarkable students are doing.”
