Cole Illeck

Cole Illeck graduated from Chapman University with a dual degree in Physics and Philosophy in the Spring of 2026. He received the Aharanov Award for Research and Creative Activity in Physics for research in Quantum Foundations. Cole intends to join Chapman’s Math, Physics, and Philosophy doctorate program to continue the interdisciplinary work he started in his undergraduate studies.

Cole had an interest in Physics prior to attending Chapman University. Through being introduced to Quantum Foundations, the interest became a passion. During his undergraduate studies, he did research on Temporal nonlocality and the mechanisms that might be underlying entanglement. He joined the group to get experimental physics experience and to help build the systems that he had previously read about in Foundations.

Hobbies include reading, going to the gym, video games, and playing with his dogs.