Distinguished Professor Murnane is known internationally for her research—much of it with her husband and colleague, JILA fellow and CU-Boulder physics Professor Henry Kapteyn—on optical and X-ray science using tabletop light sources. With her research group, Murnane develops new ultrafast laser and coherent X-ray sources as part of their research in optical sciences, using the light sources for new experiments in physics, chemistry, materials science and engineering. Of particular interest, ultrafast coherent X-ray beams of the kind Murnane studies are expected to be indispensable tools for scientists in developing practical nanoscale machines. Murnane is the recipient of many national and international awards. She has been elected to both the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and was awarded a John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Fellowship, or “genius grant,” in 2000. In addition to her scientific work, Murnane is known for her efforts to get women involved in science and to support them once they enter an academic environment.
