July Wrapup: Duke Rides; Physics Nod; Sawyer Seminar

On top a picture of the mascot with a Duke Rides hat, at the bottom, three headshots

Here’s a roundup of recent announcements across campus:

Duke Rides: Fight Against Cancer

Duke Rides is Duke’s new signature event with a powerful purpose: to fund innovative cancer research, clinical trials, and patient care at Duke. Set for Oct. 3, 2026, at Wilson Recreation Center (Duke West Campus), this inaugural indoor cycling fundraiser brings together riders, teams, and supporters from across Duke Nation to turn passion into progress.

Teams of at least four riders commit to a fundraising goal of $1,000 per bike, with all proceeds staying at Duke Health to support breakthrough discoveries and compassionate care. Teams raising $5,000 or more can designate a specific cancer focus, creating a meaningful, personal connection to the cause.

For more information, or to create a team or join a team, go to the Duke Cancer Institute. 

Physics Faculty Receives Early Career Award

Natalie Klco, assistant professor of physics at Duke and a member of the Duke Quantum Center, has received a prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER Award for her work in quantum mechanics. 

Klco's research focuses on the relationship between quantum information and the mathematical framework of quantum field theories. Her group develops theoretical tools for understanding and interacting with entanglement in quantum fields and explores how those insights can inform the design of quantum simulations of fundamental physical systems. 

For more information go to Trinity College of Arts & Sciences. 

Sawyer Seminar Supports Duke-N.C. State Collaboration on Academic Freedom

Duke University and N.C. State University have been awarded a Sawyer Seminar grant for a cross-institutional collaboration exploring challenges to academic freedom. The collaboration is called Sharing Ground: Humanities, Academic Freedom, and the Future of the University. 

Over the 2026–27 academic year, Sharing Ground will present approximately 10 workshops, each focused on a specific discipline. Topics will include philosophical approaches to free speech, the meaning of expression in music and performance, and the relationship between academic freedom and religious practice. Sessions will be free and open to the public.

For more information, go to Trinity College of Arts & Sciences.