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Introducing the next "Humans of JILA" epsiode for the highly anticipated second part of our PISEC series. PISEC (Partnerships for Informal Science Education in the Community) is an educational outreach and research program within JILA funded by the NSF-Center the JILA Physics Frontier Center (PFC).

Dive deeper into the world of informal physics education with returning insights from the six passionate PISEC members and volunteers you met previously. This episode also introduces two fresh voices in the field, enhancing our exploration of the vital role that physics education plays within the JILA, CU Boulder, and the broader Colorado community. Discover the impactful ways PISEC connects people to science and fosters a lasting enthusiasm for learning. Don't miss these powerful stories of dedication and discovery that highlight the transformative influence of PISEC on both learners and educators alike.

JILA hosted its 8th annual Posterfest, marking a vibrant return to its traditional format after disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Held on April 18, this community event provided a platform for graduate students to showcase their research to the wider JILA community. Structured around three 30-minute presentation intervals, the event was designed to facilitate a broad range of discussions and allowed presenters and attendees to network, explore other projects, and enjoy refreshments together.

A recent article in De Standaard highlights the science of timekeeping at JILA. The article, written by Senne Starckx, was inspired by the journalist's recent visit to JILA during their time in Colorado as part of the AAAS conference. While the article is written in Dutch, it highlights the innovations in timekeeping spearheaded by JILA and NIST Fellow Jun Ye. 

To try to demystify the transition into academia, the JILA postdoc group recently hosted a faculty negotiation panel with a distinguished lineup of speakers: JILA Fellow and NIST Physicist Adam Kaufman, JILA and NIST Fellow Konrad Lehnert, and JILA Fellow Mathias Weber. The discussion was expertly moderated by Rachael Merritt and Jake Higgins, both postdoctoral researchers themselves, who navigated through a comprehensive array of topics with the panelists.

While most physics researchers foresee a career in either academia or industry, a few find themselves using their research experience in a less typical fashion. One of those individuals is Aaron Leanhardt, a former JILA alumnus of JILA and NIST Fellow Eric Cornell's group, who has joined the New York Yankees' as the team's chief analyst. 

To celebrate International Women in Science Day 2024, JILA is honoring the work and legacy of the late Deborah Jin, a pioneer in polar molecular quantum chemistry.

Jin’s groundbreaking work significantly impacted JILA (a joint institute of the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the University of Colorado Boulder) and the wider field of physics, marking her as an inspiring figure for this year’s International Women in Science Day. 

JILA proudly hosted its 2nd Annual Great Bake Off, marking another successful year of this delightful culinary competition. The event, which has quickly become a cherished tradition, showcases the exceptional baking talents within the JILA community. From cakes to cookies to breads, JILAns, including graduate students, postdocs, staff, and Fellows participated in the institute-wide event.