Department of Physics & Astronomy
Alumni testimonials
Physics & Astronomy alumni hold positions as teachers, engineers, data analysts, project managers, researchers, health care workers, science writers, policy makers and lawyers, and many more. We interviewed some of our graduates about their professional paths and the role their physics or astronomy degree from our department played in shaping their current career.
Degree Programs
Undergraduate Program
An undergraduate education in physics provides a solid foundation for a lifetime of learning in a variety of disciplines, including science, engineering, math, finance, education, law, and medicine. Find out more

Optics Program
Established in 1983, the Optics Program at the University of New Mexico is one of the oldest and most successful science and engineering interdisciplinary programs with a strong international reputation in education and research.
OSE graduate students conduct research at facilities in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and at UNM’s Center for High-Technology Materials.
There are numerous collaborations with the three National Laboratories in New Mexico - Sandia, Los Alamos, and the Air Force Research Laboratory, and with members of the optics industry cluster (New Mexico Optics Industry Association – NMOIA).
Upcoming Events
Deconvolution of Pulsar Signals using Cyclic Spectroscopy
Izabela Pavel (UNM PandA)
CART Astrophysics Seminar Series
Nov. 12, 2:00 PM
- Nov. 12, 3:00 PM
PAIS 3205
Quantum Light Information Technology (QLIT)
Dr. Mackillo Kira (University of Michigan)
Physics and Astronomy Colloquium
Nov. 13, 3:30 PM
- Nov. 13, 4:30 PM
PAIS 1100
Active-Target Time-Projection Chambers: From Rare Isotopes to Rare-Event Searches
Marco Cortesi (FRIB)
Nuclear, Particle, Astroparticle and Cosmology (NUPAC) Seminars
Nov. 17, 2:00 PM
PAIS 3205
Title: TBA
Brett Skinner (UNM PandA)
CART Astrophysics Seminar Series
Nov. 19, 2:00 PM
- Nov. 19, 3:00 PM
PAIS 3205
Weighing the Changing Mass Distribution of the Earth
Dr. Jeffrey Freymueller (Michigan State)
Physics and Astronomy Colloquium
Nov. 20, 3:30 PM
- Nov. 20, 4:30 PM
PAIS 1100
Recent News
P&A Welcomes Mia Ceballos, P&A's new Academic Coordinator
October 20, 2026Diana Dragomir Honored with OAA Award
September 4, 2026Victor Acosta wins CHTM Funding Award
September 3, 2026Tim Dolch Joins National Effort to Listen for Ripples in Spacetime
August 21, 2026Five UNM PA faculty selected for Genesis Mission
July 27, 2026









