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The JILA Association of Graduate Students (JAGS) recently hosted a stress-relief event featuring two special guests from Go Team Therapy Dogs. The friendly therapy dogs had just walked over from the CU Rec Center, where they were greeted by over 200 students, before making their way to JILA.

In a spirited competition, the Thompson group, led by JILA and NIST Fellow and CU Boulder physics professor James Thompson, emerged victorious in the much-anticipated JILA Cup Badminton Tournament. The competition pitted the Thompson group against the Lehnert group, led by JILA Fellow Adjoint Konrad Lehnert, now at Yale University.

The latest episode of the Humans of JILA podcast spotlights the JILA Association of Graduate Students (JAGS), a recently formed group dedicated to supporting the graduate student experience at JILA. Whether students are just beginning their graduate journey or nearing completion, JAGS provides resources, fosters community, and promotes professional development to help them thrive.

On November 7, 2024, the Rayback Collective in Boulder hosted 65 current and former members of the JILA community gathered for the "Life After JILA" alumni mixer. The event, now managed by the JILA Association of Graduate Students (JAGS), offered an evening of reconnection, networking, and celebration of JILA's rich history and community.

In this episode of Humans of JILA, we take a deep dive into the JILA Keck Lab. This state-of-the-art facility supports groundbreaking research in optics, nanotechnology, and microfabrication. We explore both the W. M. Keck Optical Measurement Laboratory, which houses JILA’s shared optical measurement instruments, and the JILA Micro and Nanofabrication Facility—better known as the clean room. Guest speaker Clean Room Technician Alan Copley walks us through the meticulous processes required to maintain a pristine, particle-free environment and discusses the Keck Lab's vital role in enabling precision science at JILA and beyond.

On October 17th, JILA hosted JILAX, an annual event that invites JILA community members to step away from their research and share their passions, interests, and hobbies. This year’s event brought an eclectic mix of talks, covering everything from automotive restoration to mobile gaming, showcasing the diverse talents and interests of JILA’s community. With the aim of fostering camaraderie and connection beyond scientific pursuits, JILAX highlighted the fun, nerdy, and deeply personal sides of JILA’s members.

Check out the latest episode of the "Humans of JILA" podcast, featuring an insightful conversation about JILA JEDI – JILA's initiative for Excellence in Diversity and Inclusivity. JEDI is a self-nominated, cross-disciplinary team of Fellows, staff, students, and postdocs committed to promoting diversity and advancing inclusivity through various educational programs and activities. 

The JILA Cup rivalry continued this week as the Lehnert group faced off against the Regal group in an epic beach volleyball tournament at the Boulder High Beach volleyball courts. The competition, held on Monday September 9th, drew the attention of nearby spectators as the two teams battled it out for the glory of winning the JILA Cup.