In its second round of funding the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Experimental Physics Investigators Initiative has awarded grants to support twenty-one experimental physicists. Each investigator will receive $1,250,000 over the next five years to advance the scientific frontier in experimental physics. Supporting creative and innovative research ideas One of the aims of the initiative is to support experimental physicists who may lack flexible research funding to tackle their most creative research ideas. Several of this year’s investigators plan to use the funds to explore new research areas. For example, Keji Lainbsp; from the University of Texas at Austin is developing a nanoscale acoustic microscope to investigate quantum acoustic processes that might be used to transmit data for quantum computers. The initiative also selects and supports investigators who are advancing research in experimental physics that improves scientific understanding of the natural world. Investigator Nathalie Vriend from the University of Colorado Boulder is researching the role of the particle-phase in dense suspensions with a goal of better understanding, modeling and predicting the behavior of environmental suspensions which include landslides and avalanches. Promoting a culture of inclusion and equitable access In the selection process, the initiative team pays special attention to the culture of the research groups to develop and reinforce practices that promote inclusion and equitable access to education and career development within the experimental physics community. Investigator Guang Bian from the University of Missouri is developing a systematic method to synthesize semimetals and explore their exotic electromagnetic properties. He emphasized that this new source of funding will not only significantly impact his group’s research but will also have, “an enormous impact on boosting Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) education programs in Missouri.” 2023 Experimental Physics Investigators Alexander Sushkov, Boston University Andrei Faraon, California Institute of Technology Armando Rúa, University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez Barry Rand, Princeton University Chandrasekhar Ramanathan, Dartmouth College David Leibrandt, University of California, Los Angeles David Weld, University of California, Santa Barbara Guang Bian, University of Missouri Jeffrey Thompson, Princeton University John Nichol, University of Rochester Joshua Spitz, University of Michigan Julia Mikhailova, Princeton University Justin Burton, Emory University Keji Lai, University of Texas at Austin Matthew Sfeir, CUNY Advanced Science Research Center Matthew White, University of Vermont Mengkun Liu, Stony Brook University Nathalie de Leon, Princeton University Nathalie Vriend, University of Colorado at Boulder Tongcang Li, Purdue University Yohannes Abate, University of Georgia Research Foundation The next round of funding for 2024 investigators will open on September 5, 2023. Please visit the initiative website or contact us at epi@moore.org for more information. The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation fosters path-breaking scientific discovery, environmental conservation, patient care improvements and preservation of the special character of the Bay Area. Visit Moore.org or follow @MooreFound. Type of News/Audience: News
