The Iowa Spaceflight Lab brings the full mission development process under one roof, from concept and design to testing, integration, and delivery, expanding the Department of Physics and Astronomy’s capabilities in spacecraft instrumentation. Housed in Van Allen Hall, the lab enables researchers to design, build, and test technologies for upcoming missions in a single, integrated space, strengthening Iowa’s leadership in space exploration.

Several faculty and staff from the department were recognized by the graduating class of 2026 for making a meaningful difference in students experiences at the University of Iowa. Among them were: Ugur Akgun; Casey DeRoo; Hai Fu; Jasper Halekas; Allison Jaynes; Kenneth Johnson: Jane Nachtman.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy celebrated the accomplishments of students, faculty, and staff during the 2026 Awards Colloquium on April 28.

Following the success of Artemis II, Allison Jaynes and Casey DeRoo of the Department of Physics and Astronomy in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are contributing to the next phase of lunar exploration through instrument development and space environment research. Their advancing work could support future missions, including new approaches to studying space and conducting astronomy from the moon.

Decades of weird experimental results appeared to support the existence of the sterile neutrino, a hypothetical particle that would solve multiple mysteries. But recent experiments have killed hope of finding these phantoms, leaving physicists to wonder what might explain their anomalies. “It’s on us to learn how to get creative,” said Matheus Hostert, a physicist at the University of Iowa. “This is a very exciting time for the field, especially for theorists like myself who get to ask hard questions about all this data.”

David Miles, deputy director of research operations in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and a co-investigator for the rocket launch, was tasked with building the magnetometer attached to the rocket. While Miles had seen countless rocket launches before, Norway’s launch was a first for graduate student Jessica Mondoskin, the lead graduate student for the magnetometer project.

Associate Professor David Miles has been named the 2026 Scholar of the Year. The award recognizes nationally distinguished achievement in research, scholarship, and creative activity in the past 24 months. Richard Dvorksy, aerospace principal engineer and interim research administrator, has received the 2026 Distinguished Research Professional Award. This award recognizes staff members who performed exceptional service in support of research at the University of Iowa.

Professor Fatima Toor's team is a phase 3 recipient of the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) Large Grant Development Opportunity funds, which support researchers in preparing and submitting major federal grant proposals. Within Toor's ASPIRE Center initiative, Physics and Astronomy faculty play a central role in advancing the project's semiconductor and photonic research goals. Assistant Professor Ravi Uppu, Assistant Professor Tom Folland, and Professor John Prineas will contribute their expertise to this effort.

Graduate student Jodie McLennan has received a Graduate Research Excellence award. These awards honor students in terminal degree programs who are conducting research and scholarly activity that is highly original and makes a significant contribution to the field.