On April 20, 2026, Yale Physics inducted 41 members from the undergraduate classes of 2026 and 2027, including four Astronomy students, to Sigma Pi Sigma, the official honor society of the physics and astronomy professions. Through election to Sigma Pi Sigma, distinctive achievement and high scholarship in physics are recognized and celebrated.
David Poland, associate professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies for Physics, commented, “This year we were delighted to welcome over 40 physics and astronomy students as lifetime members of Sigma Pi Sigma! This prestigious honor society has a century-long tradition of promoting deep interest and service in physics and astronomy at all levels.”
An organization of the American Institute of Physics (AIP), and a member of the Association of College Honor Societies, Sigma Pi Sigma was founded in 1921 and has more than 100,000 historical members. Membership is lifelong and includes a one-year complimentary membership in the Society of Physics Students (SPS). Yale Physics joined Sigma Pi Sigma, the National Physics and Astronomy Honor Society, as Chapter #584 in 2020.
Since joining Sigma Pi Sigma, the physics department has held induction ceremonies for undergraduate junior and senior students who qualify for the honor—they must have a GPA above a certain level and have taken Quantum Mechanics.
Sigma Pi Sigma exists to honor outstanding scholarship in physics and astronomy, to encourage interest in physics and astronomy among students at all levels, to promote an attitude of service, and to provide a fellowship of persons who have excelled in physics and astronomy.
Yale College Class of 2026
- Alexander Adams, Physics
- Simon Britton, Physics
- Camille Chiu, Astrophysics
- Tavian Jones, Physics
- Christian Kang, Physics (Intensive)
- June Lee, Physics
- Gabriel Marous, Physics
- Daniel Mladek, Physics
- Alexander Morand, Physics (Intensive)
- Emily Peng, Physics
- George Ploumis, Physics (Intensive)
- Aidan Pulmano, Physics
- Cleber Redondo, Physics
- Nicolas Wyszkowski, Physics (Intensive)
Yale College Class of 2027
- Hope Applegate, Physics (Intensive)
- Yu-Ting Chang, Astrophysics
- John Cho, Physics (Intensive)
- Max Colomer, Physics (Intensive)
- Kelly Dai, Physics (Intensive)
- Ian Gill, Physics (Intensive)
- Benny Gruenbaum, Physics & Philosophy (BA)
- Elisa Kim, Physics (Intensive)
- Jerry Li, Physics (Intensive)
- Andres Luengo, Physics (Intensive)
- Vasilisa Malenkiy, Physics (Intensive)
- Diego Miura, Astrophysics
- Siddiq Mohammed, Physics
- Diya Naik, Physics (Intensive)
- Gha Yuan Ng, Physics
- Ashton Perlroth, Physics (Intensive)
- Kenny Phan, Astrophysics
- Yasmine Samolada, Physics (Intensive)
- Rebecca Schussheim, Physics
- Lizzie Seward, Physics
- Ronald Thorpe, Physics (Intensive)
- Robin Tsai, Physics (Intensive)
- Max Watzky, Physics (Intensive)
- Jeffrey Wei, Physics (Intensive)
- Roberto Wick, Physics
- Nick Wojnar, Physics (Intensive)
- Donglin Wu, Physics (Intensive)
This year the department supplied honor cords for members of the class of 2026, including those who were inducted into Sigma Pi Sigma in 2025, see story linked below.