skip to main content
College of Liberal Arts
University of Mississippi

Physics & Astronomy

Jennifer Meyer, UM instructional assistant professor of physics and astronomy, will discuss the discovery of chemicals that generally signal the presence of life in the atmosphere of Venus for this month’s Oxford Science Cafe. Submitted photo

Potential for Life on Venus Topic for Virtual Science Cafe

UM professor to discuss discovery of phosphine on shrouded planet during Oct. 20 event October 19, 2020 by Edwin B. Smith The recent discovery of chemical compounds that may indicate the possibility of life in the atmosphere surrounding Venus is the topic for a virtual Oxford Science Cafe scheduled Tuesday (Oct. 20) by University of Mississippi event organizers. […]

UM junior Nicholas Kruse, a chemistry and physics major from St. Louis, is studying the chemical makeup of e-cigarette fluids to help users assess the safety of vaping. Submitted photo

Venturing into Vaping

Budding UM researcher pulls back the curtain on e-cigarettes SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 BY KATHERINE ALBRITTON What’s actually in the electronic cigarettes you’ve been smoking as a “safe” alternative to tobacco? With much speculation surrounding the safety of e-cigarettes over the past few years, University of Mississippi junior Nicholas Kruse wanted to determine whether top e-cigarette […]

Sophie Husslein, an anthropology and German major, worked on a proposal titled ‘Archaeological Analysis of an Early Mississippian Frontier Structure in Southwestern Virginia’ as part of the UM Summer Undergraduate Research Experience.

UM Program Opens Doors to Undergraduate Research, Creative Achievement

Eleven students complete fellowships through summer research program AUGUST 28, 2020 BY SHEA STEWART From exploring new melanoma detection methods to analyzing early Mississippian frontier structures, 11 University of Mississippi undergraduate students advanced their research and creative achievement pursuits this summer thanks to a university fellowship program. As fellows of the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience […]

Gladden Named Vice President-Elect of Acoustical Society of America

International society promotes science, technology of sound MAY 20, 2020 BY SHEA STEWART Josh Gladden, who serves as the University of Mississippi‘s chief research officer, has been elected as vice president-elect of the Acoustical Society of America. Gladden’s role as ASA vice president-elect began Friday (May 15). He will automatically assume the office of vice president on […]

UM graduate student Sumeet Kulkarni records a podcast for the ‘Ssippin’ Science’ series. The programs replace the in-person Oxford Science Cafe meetings, which are cancelled during the COVID-19 health crisis.

Oxford Science Cafe Launches Monthly Podcast

New series to continue providing scientific programs amid social distancing APRIL 21, 2020 BY EDWIN B. SMITH In an effort to keep informing and entertaining science enthusiasts amid regulations that have cancelled most in-person events, organizers of the Oxford Science Cafe have created a way to bring the science to them. The program is called […]

Brian Carpenter (left) and Hank Buchanan, two research and development engineers at the University of Mississippi’s National Center for Physical Acoustics, work on an infrasound array sensor at Alabama A&M University’s Winifred Thomas Agricultural Research Station north of Huntsville. Photo by Shea Stewart

UM Researchers Working to Detect, Track Tornadoes

Scientists using acoustic technology to ‘hear’ destructive twisters APRIL 13, 2020 BY SHEA STEWART The cold whipping across an Alabama field on this winter morning slaps away the warmth, slowly forcing fingers and toes numb. Under a dull, overcast sky, University of Mississippi researchers trek across a damp pasture just north of Huntsville, braving the […]

UM researchers Joel Mobley (left), Robert Lirette and Likun Zhang have published a Physical Review Applied paper announcing that they have sonically captured a droplet and moved it without any direct or mechanical contact using a technique called near-field acoustic tweezers. Photo by Shea Stewart/University of Mississippi

UM Scientists Discover Novel Method for Catching, Maneuvering Droplets

Sound wave technique has benefits for biotechnology, laboratory work FEBRUARY 13, 2020 BY SHEA STEWART It’s a sonic marvel seemingly ripped from the fictional scenes of “Doctor Who” or “Star Wars,” what researchers are accomplishing at the University of Mississippi‘s National Center for Physical Acoustics, but in reality, it’s revolutionary research. In a recent Physical […]

UM researchers will explore projects involving thunderstorm asthma and how Gulf Coast universities can respond to natural disasters, thanks to seed grants funded through the Flagship Constellations initiative. Photo by Kevin Bain/Ole Miss

Seed Grants Fund UM Research into Disaster Resilience

Researchers studying air pollution, university responses to natural disasters DECEMBER 19, 2019 BY SHEA STEWART Exploring thunderstorm asthma and examining how Gulf Coast universities can respond to natural disasters are the focus of two new University of Mississippi seed grants funded through the Flagship Constellations initiative. Thunderstorm asthma is the phenomenon where pollen can break into smaller pieces during […]

Susan Balenger, UM assistant professor of biology, holds a nestling bluebird at the the Itasca Biological Field Station in upstate Minnesota. She will discuss the decline of chirping by male crickets in Hawaii during the last Oxford Science Cafe of the fall semester.

Declining Chirping of Hawaiian Crickets Topic for Science Cafe

Susan Balenger to discuss insects’ loss of ability for mating chirp at final meeting of fall NOVEMBER 15, 2019 BY EDWIN B. SMITH The rapidly diminishing ability of male crickets in Hawaii to chirp, which is part of their mating ritual, is the topic of the final Oxford Science Cafe of the fall semester. The […]

‘Spooky Physics Night’ Set for Friday

Department of Physics and Astronomy offers fun, frights and food for all OCTOBER 28, 2019 BY EDWIN B. SMITH New frights and fresh takes on old delights are the order of the evening when the University of Mississippi Department of Physics and Astronomy presents “Spooky Physics Demonstrations” from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday (Nov. 1) […]