Kara Hoffman Named Chair of Department of Physics Professor Kara Hoffman was named chair of the Department of Physics, effective July 1, 2026. “Kara Hoffman brings to this role a record of scholarly achievement and an understanding of the department's strengths and aspirations,” said Amitabh Varshney, dean of UMD’s College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences.… Read More 
Childhood Physics Fun Leads to Twin PhDs When Sylvester James Gates III (B.S. ’15, biological sciences) graduates from the University of Maryland with his Ph.D. in biological sciences this month, it will be a family affair—and a homecoming. Sylvester grew up near College Park. His father, Distinguished University Professor of Physics Sylvester James Gates… Read More 
Barkeshli Selected for Frontiers of Science Award Research by Professor Maissam Barkeshli and colleagues has been selected by the International Congress of Basic Science (ICBS) as a recipient of the 2026 Frontiers of Science Award in Condensed Matter Physics. The paper cited was Symmetry fractionalization, defects, and gauging of topological phases by Barkeshli, Parsa Bonderson, Meng Cheng… Read More 
Das Sarma and Greene Elected to the National Academy of Sciences Two Distinguished University Professors in the University of Maryland’s Department of Physics have been elected to the National Academy of Sciences for outstanding accomplishments in quantum science. Sankar Das Sarma and Richard L. Greene were among the 120 American and 25 international scientists selected this… Read More 
Maryland Physics is proud to house a strong team of star faculty. The following services are provided for additional support: 
