| Department of Physics | February 2, 2026
|
|
|
Happy Monday! 🎉 I hope everyone has been staying warm and safe! As always, The Compton Chronicle newsletter is where you'll find department updates, upcoming events, exciting opportunities, and ways to get involved in our growing community. Have a great week!
|
|
|
Apply for the Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering Workshop |
The Office of Graduate Studies has a terrific opportunity for engagement via a workshop in Washington D.C. “Catalyzing Advocacy in Science and Engineering (CASE)” sponsored by American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
The CASE workshop is an exciting opportunity to learn from science policy and advocacy experts about the role of science in policymaking and the federal policy-making process. It empowers participants with ways to become a voice for research throughout their careers. This entry-level program is organized to educate STEM students who are interested in learning about the role of science in policymaking, to introduce them to the federal policy-making process, and to empower them with ways to become a voice for basic research throughout their careers. The workshop is designed for students in science, technology, engineering, and math fields with limited experience and knowledge of science policy and advocacy who want to learn more about science policy.
OGS will select up to 4 CASE student attendees who will be delegates from WashU - WashU will pay all expenses to attend.
Date: April 12 - 15, 2026
Location: The Hyatt Regency, Bethesda
*Applications are due by Monday, February 9, 2026 at noon.
|
Testimonial from Physics PhD Candidate, Bryce Wedig, about his experience as a 2025 CASE Workshop Attendee
|
|
|
|
"We learned how to advocate for our science and navigate the complexities of how basic science research receives federal funding. Networking with fellow STEM graduate students from across the country who are passionate about science policy has resulted in exciting collaborations that I'm still engaged in.
We advocated for robust and sustained federal funding of basic science research at a critical time (April 2025) when rumors about the President's Budget Request suggested dramatic cuts to science—which were indeed confirmed when the PBR was released the following month. But in January 2026, Congress rejected many of the proposed cuts to NASA and the NSF. I feel great satisfaction knowing that I may have played a small role in this, as all the Senators and Representatives whose offices we visited voted in favor of sustained science funding.
The CASE Workshop is an intense experience—it will equip you with the background knowledge and skills to advocate for your science to policymakers."
|
|
|
A day in the life of Mary Iskakova |
Recently, the Department of Physics partnered with A&S Advancement to create a video featuring what a day in the life looks like for one of our graduate students. In this video, Mary Iskakova takes you along for a behind-the-scenes look at her routine, from her commute and time in the lab to department events and social moments with friends. It's a fun glimpse into graduate school that highlights the people, spaces, and experiences that shape life in our Physics PhD program.
|
|
|
| Feng Sheng Hu, Dean of A&S, will present Dr. Walter Massey with the Dean's Medal on Tuesday, February 3 at the University Club of Chicago
Dr. Massey (PhD '66) was a doctoral student at Washington University under Eugene Feenberg. Throughout his career, Dr. Massey has championed science and technology, public understanding, and the arts as essential to quality of life, democracy, and innovation.
|
|
|
Follow us on social media!
|
| |
|
|
