USD Clare Boothe Luce Assistant Professor of Physics and Biophysics Earns 2024 Cottrell Scholar Award

For her past achievements as a researcher and educator and for her ambitious plans to study quantum turbulence and to teach students quantum technologies, Clare Boothe Luce Assistant Professor of Physics and Biophysics Maren Mossman, PhD,  has earned a 2024 Cottrell Scholar Award. The award is given to distinguished scholars in the fields of chemistry, physics and astronomy by the Research Corporation for Science Advancement, America’s first science-focused foundation.

“These awardees stand out not just for their excellence in teaching and research but for their potential,” says Daniel Linzer, President & CEO of RCSA. “The advancement of both science and society depend on the fresh ideas and the dedication to student learning that we see in Cottrell Scholars, including the class of 2024.”

Dr. Mossman is one of nineteen recipients recognized across the United States and Canada. She says she's honored to be recognized. "This award will allow me to pursue new directions in my research and teaching that I have been looking toward since starting as a faculty member at USD in Fall 2020." 

Dr. Mossman will receive $120,000 to advance her project: Cloud-Based Investigations of Quantum Hydrodynamics in Ultracold Atomic Gases. In her Quantum Hydrodynamics Lab, Dr. Mossman uses lasers and magnetic fields to cool and manipulate atoms. At ultracold temperatures, atoms can form a state of matter known as a Bose-Einstein condensate. Her lab will study turbulence within this state of matter. Dr. Mossman will also be creating an inquiry-based course that teaches students at the University of San Diego skills needed for careers in quantum science and engineering. 

"Part of my plan with this award is to develop a new course for second-year students in physics, engineering, and computer science to learn about quantum technologies in a hands-on classroom experience," says Dr. Mossman. "The course will utilize both equipment here at USD, as well as cloud-based systems that students will access remotely to complete experiments, with the goal of introducing young students to the fun and intriguing world of quantum mechanics and teaching them about applications and potential careers in this field." 

Dr. Mossman joined the USD faculty in the fall of 2020 with the Clare Boothe Luce Professorship. This Cottrell Scholar Award adds to numerous other recent accomplishments and honors. She has received over half of a million dollars to fund her research on ultracold atoms from the National Science Foundation and from NASA. She most recently published work on studying quantum gas mixtures in space in the journal, Nature. Earlier this year, Dr. Mossman organized and led the successful Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics at USD. 

The University of San Diego now has the most Cottrell Scholars among PUIs -- tied only with Amherst College and Swarthmore College.

This Cottrell Scholar Award will continue to support Dr. Mossman’s research and inspire a community of students and peers. Congratulations, Dr. Mossman!