The Alabama Space Grant Consortium (ASGC) at ÂÜŔňµşapp (UAH), a part of The University of Alabama System, has received a $20,000 donation from the National Space Club – Huntsville, marking the second year in a row the group has made this donation to the ASGC.

– Dr. Gary Zank, director of the Center for Space Plasma and Aeronomic Research (CSPAR) and at ÂÜŔňµşapp (UAH) and principal investigator for Future Technologies & enabling Plasma Processes (FTPP), has been selected by the American Geophysical Union (AGU) to receive the 2025 John Adam Fleming Medal.

Dr. Sukanya Chakrabarti, the Pei-Ling Chan Endowed Chair in the College of Science at ÂÜŔňµşapp (UAH), and her team have published a new paper that for the first time uses binary and solitary pulsars to constrain properties of a dark matter sub-halo in our own galaxy.

Researchers at ÂÜŔňµşapp (UAH), a part of The University of Alabama System, have published a series of two papers in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society that resolve one of three major outstanding puzzles in cosmology: the “missing baryon problem,” a discrepancy between the amount of baryonic matter detected from shortly after the Big Bang when compared with recent epochs.

Sophia Vanderwaal, a senior physics major at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), is helping push the boundaries of astrophysics. Under the mentorship of Dr. Sukanya Chakrabarti, the Pei-Ling Chan Endowed Chair in the College of Science at UAH, Vanderwaal has conducted research on pulsars as galactic accelerometers, an experience she describes as both transformative and deeply rewarding.

In addition to research, Vanderwaal plays an active role around the ÂÜŔňµşapp campus. “You’ll find me working at the front desk in the Advising Office some days. I’ve been a student specialist there for almost two years now,” she says. “Other days, you'll probably still find me in the Materials Science Building. I'm always in there.” This semester, she’ll also begin working as a tutor in the Student Success Center.

Sophia Vanderwaal presenting her reserach at the Fermi National Acceelerator Laboratory, or Fermilab, located near Chicago.

Sophia Vanderwaal

Not only is Vanderwaal an active student employee, but she is heavily involved in ÂÜŔňµşapp student organizations. “I serve as the Outreach Officer for the Astronomy Club (a role I’ve held since sophomore year), and I’ve recently taken on the challenge of reviving our Society of Physics Students chapter, which had been inactive for a while.”

These experiences have not only deepened her academic journey but have also shaped her experience as a physics major. “Being involved on campus has helped me build a strong physics community,” she explains. “I’ve met friends, mentors, and other students who share similar interests. That support system has made my experience as a physics major a lot more enjoyable.”

Vanderwaal’s interest in physics began at an early age. “Back in sixth grade, I was an overachiever who loved science and math, and I told everyone I was going to be an astrophysicist,” she said. A stargazing trip to the Grand Canyon deepened that early curiosity for Vanderwaal. “There was virtually no light pollution and the sky was really clear that night, and I was completely blown away by what I saw.” While she didn’t love her algebra-based physics class in high school, her talent for math and long-standing passion for the cosmos led her naturally to a physics major at UAH. Now, as she begins her final year, she’s exploring graduate schools and research opportunities around the country.

"Talk to your professors," is the advice offerred by senior physics major Sophia Vanderwaal, who had the opportunity to travel to Chicago and present her research.

Sophia Vanderwaal

Her journey into research began at UAH after taking AST 106: Exploring the Cosmos with Dr. Chakrabarti. AST 106 is an introductory astronomy course that emphasizes the quantitative aspects of physical phenomena in the universe. Topics include the motions of celestial bodies, the development of astronomy, gravity and motion, light and telescopes, properties of gases and radiation, the Earth and Moon, eclipses, and a survey of the solar system.  “I reached out to her for advice during my sophomore year, and she ended up welcoming me into her research group!” Vanderwaal explained. “I worked with her and her postdoc, Dr. Donlon, for a little over a year.”

Together, Vanderwaal and Dr. Donlon focused their research on pulsars, which are rapidly spinning neutron stars with precise electromagnetic signals. “I helped assess their timing characteristics to better understand how their magnetic fields contribute to the rate at which their spin periods slow down. I was even a co-author on one of their published papers earlier this year!,” Vanderwaal excitedly tells us.

UAH physics major Sophia Vanderwaal, discusses her reserach on pulsars as galactic accelerometers with Dr. Rainer Steinwandt, Dean, UAH College of Science.

Sophia Vanderwaal

That experience laid the groundwork for a prestigious summer research opportunity. “This past summer, I had the opportunity to research at Fermilab, one of the Department of Energy’s national labs near Chicago,” she says. “I got to dive into neutrino physics and develop a particle identification algorithm for one of the detectors.” That experience, she explains, helped her discover her niche. “It ended up being a really important experience for me, because it helped me find my research niche in high energy physics, a field that doesn’t have much of a local presence back home in Huntsville.”

Managing classes, jobs, research, and leadership roles requires intentional structure. “I’m already a pretty organized person, which definitely helps,” Vanderwaal says, while explaining her daily process. She relies on Google Calendar, frequent to-do lists, and a personal notebook system to stay on track. “One of the biggest things that helps is starting assignments well before they’re due. That gives me time to explore the material, ask questions, and work through challenges without feeling overwhelmed or rushed.”

Originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee, Vanderwaal is a first-generation college student. “No one in my immediate family has completed a four-year degree,” she shares. “Even so, I’ve always felt incredibly supported, especially by my mom and stepdad.” While she now calls Huntsville home, she still stays closely connected to her family. “I try to visit home about once a month, and honestly I FaceTime them pretty much daily. I’m surprised they’re not sick of me yet.”

After graduation, Vanderwaal plans to pursue a Ph.D. in physics. “I’m primarily looking at programs with strong high energy physics research groups,” she said. “I’m also hoping to do another summer research experience at a national lab, like I did this past summer. This time, though, I might stay a little closer to home, maybe at Oak Ridge National Lab.”

"The UAH College of Science offers a vast array of opportunities for undergraduate reserach. Sophia Vanderwaal traveled to London as an undergraduate student to present her physics reserach.

Sophia Vanderwaal

For other students considering a physics degree at UAH, Vanderwaal offers both encouragement and realism. “First: it’s okay to change your mind. Undergrad is all about discovery, so try out research areas you don’t think you’ll like. You might be surprised by what actually excites you.” She also emphasizes the importance of building relationships. “Talk to your professors. Seriously. They’re just people, and most of them WANT to talk to students.” And, she adds with a laugh, “don’t take Quantum Mechanics and Electricity & Magnetism in the same semester if you can avoid it. It's tough.”

The Electric Propulsion Club at ÂÜŔňµşapp (UAH) won first place at the 2025 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Conference Region II Student Conference in Raleigh, N.C.

ÂÜŔňµşapp (UAH) announced awards of tenure and/or promotion for 22 faculty members and recognized eight who were granted emeritus status over the past year at the University Awards for Excellence.

Dr. Sukanya Chakrabarti, the Pei-Ling Chan Endowed Chair at ÂÜŔňµşapp (UAH), a part of The University of Alabama System, has co-authored a paper that uses young stars to develop a more accurate map of the outer gas disk of the Milky Way galaxy.

The Alabama Space Grant Consortium (ASGC) has announced the recipients of its 2025-26 scholarships and fellowships. ASGC is located on the campus of ÂÜŔňµşapp (UAH), a part of The University of Alabama System.

The (HEOS) recently held its annual cookout at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) with clear goals in mind: to build community, encourage students, and celebrate innovation in optics and photonics. While a brief spring rain shower shifted the event indoors, the move did little to dampen the energy and enthusiasm of the more than 60 attendees. With lab tours, poster presentations, and plenty of burgers, this year's cookout continued HEOS’s tradition of blending education and networking in a welcoming, informal atmosphere.

Founded in 1969 as a local section of the Optical Society of America, HEOS has long served as a hub for the region’s growing community of optical scientists and engineers. The group has been active for more than 55 years. In 2013, HEOS reorganized as a nonprofit to better serve its mission: advancing knowledge, fostering innovation, and strengthening professional ties in the field of optics and photonics.

“HEOS is a nonprofit organization based in Huntsville, Alabama, dedicated to advancing knowledge and innovation in optics and photonics,” said Dr. Tommy Cantey, CEO and Chairman of the HEOS Board. “We promote collaboration among professionals, students, and enthusiasts in the field.”

Traditionally held around May 16 to coincide with the International Day of Light, the 2025 HEOS cookout was moved earlier into the spring semester to better include undergraduate students, noted Dr. Lingze Duan, Associate Dean of the UAH College of Science. 

UAH faculty, students, and other professionals from NASA, Redstone Arsenal, and Huntsville’s research park gathered to view posters and demonstrations that highlighted the region’s optical expertise.

“This was especially collaborative, because the Physics department pitched in to help with some of the food,” said Dr. Cantey. “This is a great way to show community and socialize in an informal setting with students, faculty, and professionals in the community.”

Graduate student Ella James led a tour of Dr. Gregory's Spectropolarimetry Lab. This standout moment offered attendees a behind-the-scenes look at the cutting-edge optical research being done at UAH. The College of Science also hosted its second “Optics Open House” alongside the cookout complete with information tables, research posters, and guided lab tours.

“These activities aim to showcase the optics education and research at UAH in front of the community,” says Dr. Duan.

This year’s poster exhibition highlighted the depth of optics research at UAH, with topics ranging from quantum and ultrafast optics to biophotonics and atmospheric phenomena. Through these posters and discussions, students had the opportunity to share their work and receive feedback from experienced professionals, an experience Dr. Cantey says helps students begin to see the broader community beyond the classroom.

“As they get closer to graduation, it becomes more important to form connections and build your network,” Dr. Cantey says. “This event provides a platform to engage people you wouldn't typically run into.”

Events like the spring cookout are just one of many ways HEOS supports the next generation of optical scientists and engineers. The society offers students exposure to industry professionals, research leaders, and potential employers, often paving the way for local job placements right after graduation.

“HEOS, being a professional society, offers students networking and career opportunities they wouldn't normally get from the university. These opportunities have proven to be valuable and effective for UAH optics students, even international students,” says Dr. Duan. 

Beyond social events, HEOS supports educational outreach programs, internships, teacher training, and hands-on STEM initiatives. The organization also hosts technical seminars and an annual conference, the NASA Mirror Technology Days workshop.

This year’s HEOS cookout was a success by every measure. The event strengthened the community ties, inspired students, and showcased the exciting work happening in Huntsville’s optical and photonics sectors.

It’s clear that HEOS remains a vital part of the city’s scientific fabric. As Dr. Cantey added, “Everyone likes to talk about what they do. And this gives them the space to do just that.”