Fall 2011 - Physics - Virginia Tech

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Page 6 Conferences Quanta, Fall 2011 Department plays host to three diverse conferences The 15th International Conference on Narrow Gap Systems was held in Hancock Hall on August 1-5, 2011. Local organizers included co-chair Prof. Giti Khodaparast (pictured) and Prof. Jean Heremans of the Physics department, and Prof. Louis Guido (Materials Science and Engineering, Virginia Tech). Attended by 90 researchers from 9 different countries, the conference’s scope encompassed both scientific advances and technological applications. Narrow-gap systems harbor unique physical phenomena and lend themselves to distinctive applications, as infrared detectors and sources, and for high-frequency electronic devices. Hence, in addition to crystal growth and fabrication methods, the program addressed newly discovered physical phenomena as well as device applications, and their interface. The conference included an excursion to Monticello and Michie Tavern in Charlottesville, where attendees took in the sights and sounds of colonial times in America. Sterile Neutrinos at the Crossroads (SNAC) was held at the Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center on September 25-28, 2011. The goal of the workshop was to bring together experts in the various sub-disciplines, such as nuclear theory and experiment, cosmology , neutrino phenomenology, in order to critically review the evidence for and against sterile neutrinos and to discuss the need or otherwise to pursue dedicated new experiments and possibly new strategies. Profs. Patrick Huber and Jonathan Link co-chaired the local organizing committee. One highlight of the conference was a special public lecture by Yves Declais of the Gran Sasso laboratory in Italy, who presented recent findings of research to measure the speed of neutrinos. The week before the conference, it was announced that Dr. Delais’ research team, known as The late Prof. Raju Raghavan (left) introduces a speaker at SNAC OPERA (short for Oscillation Project with Emulsion-Tracking Apparatus), had observed neutrinos traveling faster than the speed of light. This created quite a buzz at the SNAC conference, resulting in a high turnout for the public lecture. Session chair and alumnus Dr. Michael Kavic (middle) chats with Chris Thomas (right) and an another attendee The Hotel Roanoke in Roanoke, VA was the setting of the 78th Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Section of the American Physical Society (SESAPS), held October 19-22, 2011. A near-record crowd of 300 scientists from all facets of physics attended the sessions. Awards were given to the best undergraduate oral presentations and posters. The conference included a panel discussion titled “The Under-Represented Majority”, as well as a banquet. The keynote speaker at this year’s banquet was Ronald Mickens, who discussed his book on Edward Bouchet, the first African American to receive a Ph.D. in physics from a United States institution.
Staff News/ Student News Page 7 Undergraduate coordinator receives COS Diversity Award Diane Walker-Green, the department’s undergraduate program coordinator, received the College of Science Diversity Award for 2010-11. The COS Diversity Committee was especially impressed with her dedication and the ways in which she went above the call of duty in fostering a welcoming, helpful environment for students in the Department of Physics and beyond. The College Diversity Commmittee formally recognized Diane with the award at the Fall COS Reception. Physics Outreach team recognized by COS The Physics Outreach team, mentored by Josh Peebles (pictured) and Byron Wiedeman, received the College of Science Outreach Award. This marked the first time that the award honored a team. The Physics Outreach program was established in 1995 by thenprofessor Lay Nam Chang to encourage science education in rural areas of Virginia. For more information, read the Outreach feature article from last year’s Quanta newsletter: http://www.phys. vt.edu/newsletters/QuantaFall2010.pdf Please welcome... Sherri Collins and Sharon Proffitt Sherri Collins joined the department in June 2011 as a Fiscal Technician. Since then, she has completed the Virginia Tech Research Administrator Program Level II certificate. In her spare time, Sherri enjoys rooting for the Christiansburg Blue Demons football team. Sharon Proffitt has joined the department as a Program Support Technician for the Center for Neutrino Physics. Sharon has 13 years of experience here at Virginia Tech. During her tenure at Virginia Tech, Sharon has been an Office Service Specialist, Fiscal Tech, Fiscal Tech Senior, Executive Secretary, Administrative Assistant and now a Program Support Technician. She graduated from Radford University with a degree in education and a minor in anthropology. She has two daughters who are the joy of her life. Co-workers describe Sharon as hard working, dependable, reliable, a quick learner, able to adjust to changes and new situations, team player, self confidence in her abilities, organized, and able to prioritize. Sharon is looking forward to meeting everyone in the department.
Page 1 and 2: Quanta A publication for the facult
Page 3 and 4: Page 3 We need more good high schoo
Page 5: Faculty Honors Page 5 Prof. Beate S
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Page 11 and 12: In Memoriam Page 11 Prof. Ramaswamy

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