On the weekend of January 24-26, 2025, the American Physical Society held the Conference for Undergraduate Women and Gender Minorities in Physics (CU*iP) in various locations around the country. Yale participants, Selma Mazioud, Kelly Dai, Iffat Zarif, Irmak Akdogan, Camille Chiu, Grace Burton, Nicole Liang, June Lee, and Vasilisa Malenkiy attended the University of Connecticut location. . Meg Urry, Israel Munson professor of physics, was a session chair and participated in panel discussions on “Applying to graduate school. Is it right for me?” and Priya Natarajan, Joseph S. and Sophia S. Fruton Professor of Astronomy, presented a plenary lecture, “Dark matter, Dark energy, Black holes”.
The 2025 CUW*P at UConn presented other plenary lectures that described research topics ranging from Astrophysics, Dark Matter, and Black Holes to Material and Applied Science, Machine Learning, and APS resources for various STEM careers. Meghan Anzelc, Head of Data and Analytics, presented the 2025 Millie Dresselhaus Keynote lecture, “From Code to Corner Office: Resilience, Risk-Taking, and Rising Above.”
Grace Burton, YC’2025 Physics major, commented on her experience, “Finding mentors, especially women mentors, is one of the most important parts of being a successful STEM student — and I’ve found it to be one of the hardest. I feel so grateful to have attended CU*iP, where I connected with so many physicists who shared their wisdom about the work, the journey, and the specific struggles associated with being in a male-dominated field. It was wonderful guidance which came at a time I really needed it.”
Grace Burton and Camille Chiu received two of the three awards, which were presented to the top poster presentations based on research quality, poster design, and presentation of the work to the panel of judges.
The goal of APS CU*iP is to help undergraduate women and gender minorities continue in physics by providing them with the opportunity to experience a professional conference, information about graduate school and professions in physics, and access to peers in physics of all ages with whom they can share experiences, advice, and ideas. The national and local organizing committees of APS CU*iP strive to create a welcoming environment for all.
Check out photos in the flickr album.