Congratulations to the recipients of the 2026 Thomas B. Day Award for Excellence in Physics!
This endowment, created in memory of the late SDSU President Day, supports faculty and students financially as they progress in their academic and professional pursuits.
This year’s recipients are as follows:
Vincent Juliano, an undergraduate student whose work in condensed quantum matter focuses on the electrical manipulation of excitons in moiré semiconductor superlattices, an emerging area at the forefront of modern physics. Juliano has developed strong expertise in fabricating 2D semiconductor heterostructures and characterizing their optical properties. He has been accepted into multiple Ph.D. programs in physics.
Hugo Mixco, a graduate student whose research in quantum materials centers on the direct growth of moiré semiconductor superlattices on hexagonal boron nitride, a rapidly developing area in condensed matter physics. He has built strong expertise in chemical vapor deposition growth and optical spectroscopy, including Raman and photoluminescence techniques.
Matt Anderson, a professor of physics who offers clear explanations, demonstrates strong organization, and makes complex material accessible and engaging. His teaching methods actively involve students in the learning process and allow them to build conceptual understanding and confidence in communicating scientific ideas. Anderson developed the Learning Glass system, an instructional tool that has been adopted at SDSU and other institutions, and maintains an extensive library of instructional videos that offer valuable support for students outside of class.