American Physical Society Bridge Program Empowers Students
A physicist specializing in atomic, optical, and molecular physics, Andrew Kortyna has served as a physicist at ColdQuanta Inc. since 2019. He takes part in various research and development initiatives. An alumnus of Juniata College and Wesleyan University, he has worked in multiple organizations, including academia, in the United States and abroad. Andrew Kortyna is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Physical Society.
The American Physical Society (APS) aims to promote the knowledge of physics to benefit humanity. APS engages in various professional development and advocacy initiatives. To ensure the inclusion of minorities, APS developed measures to ensure underrepresented African Americans, Hispanic and Indigenous physicists receive adequate support. The APS Bridge Program is a two-year post-baccalaureate program that seeks to boost the number of physics PhDs awarded to students from underrepresented minority communities. It offers mentoring opportunities and creates sustainable transition programs. Many doctoral students find new career paths in academia, government, and the corporate sector and build professional networks.
Eligible students must be from an underrepresented minority community group and be either former or current physics major students but lack the required research experience, coursework, or guidance to apply for a PhD program. Universities and colleges, non-profits, and national labs receive institutional membership to ensure physics educational programs improve diversity.














