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Past Colloquia

Below is a list of talks from previous years’ Colloquia Series.

Fall, 2023

October 3rd

Speaker: Eric Gawiser, Distinguished Professor of Astrophysics in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Rutgers University

Topic: Probing Dark Energy and Dark Matter with Distant Galaxies

Abstract: The spatial clustering of distant galaxies is a powerful cosmological probe. As the leading example of Big Data in astrophysics, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) will produce over 50 petabytes of images, yielding a catalog of billions of distant galaxies. Using this catalog, the LSST Dark Energy Science Collaboration (DESC) will determine the evolution of the dark energy equation-of-state, seek evidence for modifications to General Relativity, measure the masses of cosmological neutrinos, and test the Cosmological Principle of homogeneity and isotropy. I will describe a novel approach that uses Machine Learning to increase the discriminating power of these measurements.

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: Science Complex P-117

October 20th

Speaker: TCNJ Physics Alumni Panel

Topic: TCNJ Physics Graduate School Paths

Abstract: This colloquium will feature a panel of TCNJ physics alumni who will give us their insight into grad school life and life after graduation. We will be joined by Kyle Barrie (2018), Brandon Bentzley (2008), Kevin Hurler (2018), Mary McMullan (2022), and Sofia Stepanoff (2022). Our alumni span different stages of their careers, various subfields, and a diversity of experiences!

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: Science Complex P-317

November 7th

Speaker: Cullen Blake, Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Pennsylvania

Topic: Finding Other Earths – New Frontiers in Exoplanet Science with Next-generation Doppler Spectrometers

Abstract: The Doppler technique is a key tool for discovering and characterizing planets orbiting other stars. By measuring periodic shifts in stellar spectral lines as a star and its planets orbit around the system center of mass, “exoplanets” can be discovered. In some cases, the masses of these planets can even be directly measured. These measurements allow us to probe the internal compositions of these newly discovered worlds, constrain models of planet formation, and put future direct measurements of planets’ atmospheric properties into context. Over the past three decades, technological advances have made it possible to achieve 1 m/s velocity precision in the measurements of Sun-like stars.However, if we hope to detect analogs of terrestrial planets like those in our solar system orbiting Sun-like stars, velocity precision must improve substantially. Earth induces just a 10 cm/s wobble in the Sun. Understanding a host of astrophysical and instrumental noise sources becomes important for measuring stellar velocities with a precision below 1 m/s. I will describe early results from NEID, a new instrument designed to push the limits of ground-based Doppler measurement precision and open new scientific opportunities in exoplanet detection and characterization.

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: Science Complex P-117

November 17th

Speaker: Xiaofeng Qian, Professor of Theoretical Physics at the Stevens Institute of Technology

Topic: Speaking wave optics in the language of mechanics — when two 350-year-old theories of Huygens meet

Abstract: Christiaan Huygens stands among history’s preeminent scientists, leaving anenduring mark on the advancement of science, notably in the domains of opticsand mechanics. His groundbreaking wave theory of light served as thecornerstone for modern optics, laying the foundation for concepts like wave-particle duality and quantum wave mechanics. Simultaneously, as the inventorof the world’s first pendulum clock, Huygens made seminal contributions to thestudy of rigid body motions. Remarkably, these seemingly distinct contributionsare interconnected in ways previously unrecognized. In this talk, I will presentour recent establishment of an unexpected quantitative link between these twotheories, drawing from wave optical principles such as polarization andentanglement, as well as mechanical concepts like the center of mass andmoment of inertia. Our findings introduce a novel avenue for comprehendingboth coherence optics and classical mechanics. Anticipation lingers for furtherdiscoveries connecting these two fields, with the potential for extension toquantum mechanics and for practical applications.

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: Science Complex P-117

Spring, 2023

February 7th

Speaker: Dr. Sofia Sheikh, Astronomer/Astrobiologist at SETI Institute

Topic: Current Radio Astronomy and SETI Programs on the Allen Telescope Array

Abstract: The Allen Telescope Array (ATA) is a 42-dish radio array in Hat Creek, California, operated by the SETI Institute. For the last few years, the ATA has been undergoing a refurbishment program, and the instrument is now exiting its commissioning stage and commencing science observations with a 20-element beamformer outfitted with upgraded feeds. In this presentation, I will describe the uniqueness of the ATA’s design and history and summarize current radio astronomy programs at the ATA, including the recent detection of a repeating Fast Radio Burst. I will also discuss the ATA’s future as a leader in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI), and talk about radio astronomy’s place in astrobiology more generally.

Bio: Dr. Sofia Z. Sheikh is a radio astronomer and astrobiologist working at the SETI Institute. She obtained her undergraduate degrees in physics and astronomy at UC Berkeley, and has recently returned to the Bay Area with an NSF-ASCEND Postdoctoral Fellowship after getting her PhD in Astronomy and Astrobiology at Penn State. Currently, she is performing SETI searches and studying pulsars and fast radio bursts with the Allen Telescope Array, a 42-dish radio array located in Hat Creek, California.

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: Science Complex P-317

February 17th

Speaker: Dr. Padma Ganesh, Visiting Professor at The College of New Jersey

Topic: Bringing Pop Culture into the Introductory Physics Classroom

Abstract: Context-rich problem solving in introductory physics courses involves telling a story that includes a reason for calculating some quantity about a real object or event. Movies, internet and social media videos, and comic books can be great sources for stories that help better engage the students and help them think conceptually about solving real-world physics problems. An added benefit is to identify or point out “bad physics” in pop culture. In this talk, I introduce some examples of implementing context-rich problem solving using guided inquiry worksheets. I will also present some survey results to discuss how mainstream incorrect usage of terms such as “zero gravity” can lead to student misconceptions on concepts related to weightlessness.

Bio: Dr. Padma Ganesh is HHMI Faculty Fellow and Visiting Professor at the TCNJ Physics Department. She obtained her PhD in Experimental Condensed Matter Physics at the Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai, India, following it up with a postdoctoral work at the National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi, India. The focus of those years of research was to study the properties of intercalated carbon and metal matrix composites. At the college, Dr. Ganesh has been teaching calculus based introductory physics courses and courses related to teacher preparation over the past several years. Her current research work on physics education is centered on developing guided inquiry techniques to address student misconceptions and exploring ways to address diversity issues in physics. Dr. Ganesh is also interested in studying potential application of graphene in batteries.

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: Science Complex P-317

March 7th

Speaker: Dr. Julia Steinberg, Postdoctoral Fellow at CUNY/Princeton Center for the Physics of Biological Function

Topic: Neural Networks: Applying Insights from Physics to Models of Learning and Memory

Abstract: A neural network is a large interacting assembly of simple elements meant to resemble biological neurons. These “neurons” are connected to each other via “synaptic” weights and transition between firing and non-firing states when their weighted input exceeds some threshold in analogy with action potentials in biological neurons. While neural network models are gross simplifications of biological neuronal circuits, they may still guide us towards understanding the fundamental principles behind cognitive processes such as learning and memory which emerge from the collective activity of neurons throughout a network as opposed to the isolated activities of individual neurons. I will start by introducing how the mindset developed in the study of physical systems with many interacting degrees of freedom can aid in the construction of mathematical models of biological phenomena, in particular neural network models of neuronal circuits. I will continue by discussing concrete ways in which ideas and techniques from statistical physics first used to study disordered systems, have influenced the study of learning and memory in neural networks by focusing on two simple models: the perceptron as the “hydrogen atom” of supervised learning and the Hopfield model of associative memory. I will then highlight two specific questions I have addressed in my own research: the computational benefit of expansion and pruning in neuronal networks during learning, and computational mechanisms for the robust storage and retrieval of structured knowledge in long-term memory incorporating insights from psychology and recent advances in machine learning. Finally, I will conclude by discussing the benefits of studying physics, as well as the opportunities and challenges one may come across along the way.

Bio: Julia Steinberg is an independent postdoctoral fellow at the CUNY/Princeton Center for the Physics of Biological Function. She completed her undergraduate degree in Physics at the University of Pennsylvania where she began her research career working with a group of collaborators in Chemistry and Physics studying topological materials, a class of materials with novel electronic properties due to exotic features in their quantum mechanical wave functions. Julia received her Ph.D. in Physics at Harvard University in 2020 where she was a recipient of the James Mills Peirce Fellowship and the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. Her thesis work focused on various dynamical properties of quantum phases of matter with strong electron correlations. In the latter part of her Ph.D., she became interested in theoretical neuroscience and shifted her focus to that area. Her current research addresses how neuronal circuits can robustly learn, represent, and store structured knowledge in a way that is amenable to higher cognitive tasks and persists throughout transformations and reorganizations of these neural circuits over time.

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: Science Complex P-317

Fall, 2022

September 20th

Speaker: Gummi Stefansson, Postdoctoral Fellow at Princeton University

Topic: Pathways to Detecting and Characterizing Rocky Habitable
Planets

Abstract: One of the foremost goals of exoplanet science is the detailed characterization of terrestrial planets that potentially could harbor life. I will discuss near-term projects and instruments that are allowing for rapid progress on the detection and characterization of small planets. (1) Beam-shaping optical diffusers allow us to approach the precision of space-based photometry with ground-based telescopes, thereby enhancing our ability to detect and study terrestrial planets. (2) Improvements in Doppler spectrographs—including HPF and NEID—will expand our knowledge of the compositions, architectures, and atmospheres of small planets. (3) The ongoing 5-year HPF survey will detect terrestrial planets in the habitable-zones around nearby mid-to-late M dwarfs, some of the most favorable systems for direct imaging with future flagship missions. (4) Synergy between M dwarf planet surveys and low-frequency radio surveys offer the possibility of opening the door to a new field within exoplanet science: star-planet magnetic interactions, which may affect planetary habitability.

Bio: Gudmundur Stefansson is a Henry Norris Russell Postdoctoral Fellow and an incoming NASA Sagan Fellow at Princeton University focusing on developing and using next-generation instruments to better detect and characterize exoplanets from the ground. Gudmundur received his PhD at Penn State University in 2019 focusing on the development of Engineered Diffuser Technology for precision ground-based exoplanet transit observations, and on the design and commissioning of two next-generation Doppler spectrographs—the Habitable-zone Planet Finder on the 10m Hobby Eberly Telescope and the NEID spectrograph on the 3.5m WIYN Telescope—to detect and characterize planets around nearby stars. For his PhD thesis, Gudmundur was awarded the 2020 Robert J. Trumpler Award for a PhD thesis in North America considered unusually important to astrophysics.

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: Science Complex P-317

October 4th

Speaker: TCNJ Physics Summer Research Students

Topic: Summer Research Experiences

Abstract:  We will hear from four students in our department about their research from over the summer. Everyone is welcome and strongly encouraged to attend this event to see your fellow peers talk about the work they’ve been doing throughout the semester but also what it is like to do research and how to get started!

Speakers: Dean Klunk, Colin Beyers, Mike Polania, Joey Sabatino

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: Science Complex P-317

October 21st

Speaker: TCNJ Physics Alumni Panel

Topic: Alumni Panels – TCNJ Physics Graduate School Paths

Guest Panelists:

Neil Aaronson (2002) started as an Engineering major at TCNJ in 1998 but quickly switched to Physics after being mentored by Dr. Gleeson. He did research first with Dr. Wickramasinghe on relativistic gravitational lensing phenomena, and then with Dr. Pfeiffer on light spectra in the overlapping wind envelopes of binary star systems. He did a summer internship in experimental condensed matter physics at the NEC Research Institute in Princeton. After graduating, he attended graduate school at Michigan State University, where he earned his Ph.D. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering for his research in acoustics and psychoacoustics. In 2008, he became a faculty member in the Physics program at Stockton University. His research has included underwater acoustics, room acoustics, music perception, avian bioacoustics, sound source localization, and audio quality perception. He also regularly works in professional live sound, for major theatrical productions, and in recording studios.

John Elmes (2005) I attended TCNJ from 2001 through 2005 studying Electrical Engineering with a minor in Physics. During my time at TCNJ, in addition to my studies, I was active with engineering clubs and the physics club. I had a particular interest in robotics as well as alternative energy sources, electric vehicles and power electronics. I worked with Dr. Ochoa to do research on closed loop controlled shape memory alloy actuated robotics, which resulted in a publication in a TCNJ research journal. Additionally I participated in the solar boat project throughout my time at TCNJ. I then attended the University of Central Florida pursuing a PhD in Electrical Engineering, with a focus on Power Electronics. I quickly found a number of interesting areas to research involving energy harvesting and power conversion. I worked on many different types of technology, including kinetic energy capture from a walking person, solar energy harvesting for space applications, and high power DC-DC conversion for electric vehicles. Soon after starting PhD work, I began working with a small company, Advanced Power Electronics Corporation (APECOR) performing research with the US DoD, DoE and NASA. I found I particularly enjoy working on military and aerospace applications that are technically challenging and where performance is more highly weighted than commercial applications. I completed my PhD in 2010, and continued to work for APECOR, of which I am now the president. Currently I’ve been spending a lot of time developing new higher performance portable solar battery chargers and power systems.

Cindy Lin (2011) I studied physics at TCNJ from 2007 to 2011, starting on the teaching track then changing to the research track. I worked as the laboratory technician and participated in the leadership for both physics club and astronomy club. I worked with Dr. Ochoa in the optics lab and Dr. Magee in the cloud physics lab. I also participated in an REU at the Princeton University Imaging and Analysis Center and the SULI program at Princeton Plasma Physics Lab. After graduating from TCNJ, I worked at Princeton Plasma Physics Lab for a year, along with attending classes and doing research on Geophysics at Rutgers University. Missing the
mentoring and teaching aspect of research, I decided to pursue physics in graduate school. I attended Drexel University, working on the EXO-200 and nEXO neutrino experiments, looking for neutrinoless double beta decay. I created the flow-based model for electronegative impurity transport and purity monitoring in the EXO-200 detector. In graduate school, I was also the President of the Physics Graduate Student Association and the Vice President of Finance and Trustee of the Drexel Graduate Student Association. After focusing prominently on data analyses in graduate school, I was determined to find a postdoctoral position with hardware focus. Currently, I am a postdoctoral fellow working on the SNO+ neutrino experiment, measuring nucleon decay to invisible modes, measuring solar neutrinos flux, detecting antineutrinos from nearby nuclear reactors and the Earth, monitoring supernova neutrinos, and searching for neutrinoless double beta decay. I am a task lead for the tellurium processing plant commissioning for the third phase of SNO+ and calibration expert designing the hardware for the Americium-Beryllium source. On the analysis aspects, I also lead the detector radon task force managing the background mitigation efforts in the detector and coordinate the local group’s
analyses. My passion is in fostering collaborative and inclusive working environment for all and science communication.

Javier Morales (2021) I started at TCNJ in the fall of 2018. While at TCNJ I was able to work on two projects, an experimental and a theoretical project. After both projects, I decided that I wanted to do more experimental work with some computational components. What pushed me toward plasma physics was an event hosted by the National Society of Black Engineers. They invited engineers from the Princeton Plasma Physics Lab (PPPL), allowing me to talk to them about the work being done at PPPL. This conversion inspired me to go into fusion research. I chose to attend Princeton University because of its connections with the PPPL. Here I have been able to work closely with scientists in the Lithium Tokamak eXperiment (LTX) on fusion research. My first project has been creating a model that would predict the deposition of the evaporated lithium onto the LTX shell. I hope to move on to work on heating the plasma once I finish the lithium deposition model.

Terance Schuh (2019) I studied physics and mathematics at TCNJ from 2015-2019. I mostly worked with Dr. Paul Wiita (recently retired) on computational high-energy astrophysics. However, I also did MUSE with Dr. Nate Magee on experimental cloud microphysics, a REU at Indiana University on theoretical nuclear astrophysics, and the SPS internship at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center on observational cosmology. Outside of research, I was very involved in Physics Club and Astronomy Club eventually serving as treasurer of both and president of Physics Club. I also was a lab tech, observatory tech, and tutor within the department. During my
senior year I applied to PhD programs for astrophysics, but was never accepted anywhere. Instead, I did the aforementioned SPS internship and took a gap year, which allowed me to reflect on my undergraduate research experiences and discover what I wanted to do next. Ultimately, I still wanted to go to grad school, but I took more time to think about what I valued most in a grad program such as advisor style, department size, and school location. After exploring non-physics departments, I found various physicists, such as my future advisor, “hiding” in other sciences. I was eventually accepted to Princeton University’s Geosciences department where, in 2022, I earned my Master’s degree for my work on theoretical geophysics, more specifically geodesy. Since then, I have been working in south Jersey as a data scientist at industry automation manufacturer, Radwell International where I use skills I learned in both undergrad and grad every day. In short, my path from undergrad to grad school, much like determining a particle’s velocity given its position with absolute certainty, was something I never could’ve predicted, but it definitely worked out for the best.

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: Science Complex P-317

November 1st

Speaker: Max Rosen, Ph.D. Student at Princeton Program for Plasma Physics

Abstract: This talk aims to highlight the importance of studying plasma and discuss open questions in the field to inform students about pursuing graduate studies in the area. Not only is 99.9% of the visible universe made of plasma, but it’s also useful for terrestrial industrial applications. Astrophysically, some intriguing questions are why is the sun’s corona hotter than its surface, and why is the universe magnetized? The most well-studied industrial application is nuclear fusion energy, bringing the power of the stars to earth. I’ll discuss different approaches to fusion energy from the magnetic confinement perspective, including tokamaks, stellarators, and magnetic mirrors. In addition, there are many opportunities for undergraduates to become involved in the field and learn more such as the SULI internship and summer schools offered by Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. I’ll discuss some reasons to go to graduate school and where exciting research is being conducted.

Bio: The speaker, Maxwell Rosen he/him, grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida and completed his undergraduate degree in Applied Physics at New York University: Tandon School of Engineering in 2020. He took a gap year after and worked at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory and the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics. Currently, he is a Ph.D. student at the Princeton Program for Plasma Physics.

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: Science Complex P-317

Spring, 2022

February 18th

Speaker: Dr. Tuan Nguyen, TCNJ Physics Department

Topic: From Electron to Higgs and Everything In Between

Abstract: 20th century physics was dominated by particles – their discoveries, their theories, and the machines built to discover them. In this talk, we will cover everything you ever wanted to know about this fantastic era: the birth of quantum mechanics, discovery of elementary particles, accelerators, bubble chambers, Feynman diagrams, quarks, the Standard Model, the Higgs boson, string theory, and much more – and all on one slide.

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: Science Complex P-117

March 1st

Speaker: Dr. Kathryn Weil, Purdue University

Topic: Stellar Fireworks: Tackling Observations of the Dynamic Night Sky in the Era of Big Data

Abstract:  Over the next decade as the Legacy Survey for Space and Time (LSST) by Rubin Observatory begins operations the number of supernovae detected by large all-sky surveys will increase by over an order of magnitude. The supernova community is actively developing the cyber-infrastructure needed to tackle this large influx of data in order to process, prioritize and coordinate follow-up observations for maximal science gains. The Recommender Engine For Intelligent Transient Tracking (REFITT) is a data-driven AI system that ingests supernova light curve information in real-time, forecasts the supernova evolution, and recommends observations to observing agents to augment survey light curves at critical epochs. I will discuss how REFITT works to make such recommendations and how citizen scientists and professional observatories work together in the follow-up effort.

I am a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Purdue University in the Time Domain Astrophysics Group. My research at Purdue University has focused on cyberinfrastructure development for the deluge of data from the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) by Rubin Observatory, coming in late 2023. My work has been focused on the coordination of these follow-up observations between various observing agents. I have worked with ground- (Magellan, MMT, SALT, SOAR, MDM Observatory, SAAO, LCO) and space- (HST, Chandra) based observatories totaling more than 170 nights of observing. I received my PhD from Dartmouth College in June 2020 specializing in observations of supernovae and supernova remnants. I did a pre-doctoral fellowship at the Harvard & Smithsonian | Center for Astrophysics and have a B.S. in Physics from Brandeis University. I will be starting a new position this summer at Northrop Grumman Corporation, as a Future Technical Leaders Fellow.

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: Science Complex P-117

April 5th

Speaker: TCNJ Physics Alumni Panel

Topic: Alumni Panel – TCNJ Physicists Paths to Jobs

Guest Panelists:

Kelly Bancroft (2016) – I am a Staff Scientist for SciTec, Inc, a rapidly growing remote sensing missile defense contractor. I develop algorithms and models that automatically detect, classify, and track a target in real time using OPIR (Overhead Persistent Infrared) data. This is my second position since graduating in 2016– my first was Research Assistant at the Institute for Defense Analyses, where I analyzed historical nuclear weapons testing data and developed validation sets for nuclear simulations. Before I graduated, I never expected to have a career in Defense, but am happy where I am and would encourage anyone to consider a wide array of industries when looking for jobs. Physics majors are valued everywhere, and you have more options than you think!

Lindsey Elmes (2005) Graduated from TCNJ in 2005 with a degree in Physics with a focus on secondary education. After graduating from TCNJ, I taught physical science and physics for five years w hile earning my Master’s in Science Education at The University of Central Florida (UCF). During my time in education, I served as director of the school’s Rocketry and SECME clubs. I then pursued a career as a physician. I graduated from medical school at Florida Atlantic University in 2015 and completed my residency at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center/Case Western Reserve University in 2018. I am board-certified in Emergency Medicine. I worked as an emergency physician at a community hospital for two years. Since June 2020, I have been employed by the Veterans Health Administration. I currently practice Telemedicine, addressing urgent care needs virtually for Veterans. I am also co-director of our medical group’s Teleurgent Care Elective for UCF medical students and am affiliate faculty at UCF College of
Medicine.

Rich Piccola (1993) – I am a Principal Systems Engineer, Group Leader and Project Leader at The MITRE Corporation. MITRE is a not-for-profit corporation that operates Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) for the Government. In this role I support the Department of Veterans Affairs helping them to acquire and deploy complex technology systems. I also assist with development, analysis and implementation of processes ranging from investment management, risk management, portfolio management, change management and more, either as a project leader, task leader or individual technical contributor. Previously at MITRE I performed analysis of computer networks, terrestrial and satellite communications systems in support of the US Army. Prior to working at MITRE I worked for a small defense contractor helping to develop a control system aboard a submarine for the US Navy. I graduated TCNJ (then TSC) with a bachelor’s degree in a Physics and a minor in Mathematics. I went on to earn a master’s degree in Physics at the University of Delaware, where my thesis focus was developing techniques to improve the accuracy of a differential scanning calorimeter by an order of magnitude to study phase transitions and other phenomena that were outside the native capabilities of that instrument. After starting work at MITRE, I also earned a master’s degree in electrical engineering (communications focus) from Walden University.

Kristen Pirrella (2017) – Graduated from TCNJ in 2017 with a degree in Physics and a minor in Arabic. I am currently the Lead Engineer for the Training Programs at In-Depth Engineering Corporation. In-Depth is a small business provider of combat and weapon systems, development, integration and test services, and waterfront support to the United States Department of Defense. In this role, I lead a team in the development of training products that support the U.S. Navy – focusing on the software development and deployment of solutions that improve operator proficiency on systems and concepts relating to both surface ships and submarines. Prior to this role, I worked as a government contractor for SRI International, where I was duty stationed at Aberdeen Proving Ground, an Army base in Maryland, and worked as a threat analyst.

Brian Whitehead (2008) – Manufacturing Engineer for the Optics/Fiber Division of Thorlabs Inc. After graduating TCNJ in 2008 I started at Thorlabs as a Manufacturing Engineer focusing on process streamlining. I soon became the Optics Quality Manager and led a small group of inspectors and quality engineers internally and externally with both vendor and customer issues. After about 5 years I left quality and took a role as Manufacturing Engineer Manager and led a group of engineers looking toward process improvement, and automation. During this time, I also developed and released the “hollow optics” portion of our catalog offering. In the last 3 years I have moved back into a Manufacturing Engineering role, working on specific product lines, and growing the hollow optics offering.

Additional info on Thor Labs: TCNJ has really taken over Optics/Fiber at Thorlabs. My manager Doug Jenkins as well as his manager and Business Unit Leader Bill Donovan were both graduates of the program too. I think that alone shows how successful the program and the individuals who go through it can be.

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: P-117

May 3rd

Speaker: Dr. Emily Fair, University of Colorado – Boulder

Topic: From particle physicist to aerospace software engineer: what todo when you accidentally select the wrong career path

Abstract:  Choosing a career path is hard, and it’s even harder when you decide after graduate school that the path you chose wasn’t what you thought it would be. What do you do then? I will discuss my career path, starting with why I chose to go to graduate school for particle physics and what the day-to-day life of a particle physicist looks like,focusing on the research and software development aspects. I will then describe my reasons for wanting to shift career paths toward the aerospace industry, and provide a personal overview of the academia-to-industry transition.

Bio: Emily Fair is a recent Physics PhD graduate from the University of Colorado Boulder. She received her B.S. in Physics and her B.A. in French from Whitworth University in 2016, and promptly joined the particle physics research team at Texas A&M University for the first year of graduate school. She then transferred to the University of Colorado Boulder, continuing her particle physics research and collaboration with the CMS Experiment at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. After defending in January, Emily decided a career change was in order, and is now in the last stages of the interview process with various aerospace companies.

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: Zoom virtual talk

Fall, 2021

September 17th

Speaker: TCNJ Physics Summer Research Students

Topic: Summer Research Experiences

Abstract:

Mary Mcmullan: 
“Integrating SESAME in FLASH & Simulations of Supersonic Turbulence”
Abstract:  This summer, I have been incredibly grateful to work alongside Professor Petros Tzeferacos and with a wonderful group of people working at the Flash Center at the University of Rochester. For my main project, I worked in collaboration with graduate student Pericles Farmakis. Our objective was to integrate the SESAME Equation of State Tabulated Database into the FLASH code. The FLASH code is a multi-physics high-performance simulation code developed by the Flash Center. FLASH solves extended systems of radiation magneto-hydrodynamics(MHD), applied in a number of different application domains, from astrophysics, to computational fluid dynamics, and to high energy density physics.
Dean Klunk: 
“Do elementary schools ignore physics?”
Abstract: This summer, I did a MUSE research project here at TCNJ with Dr. Richards. We examined the elementary school curricula of 32 school districts and identified themes associated with physics vs. other science disciplines to measure the relative prevalence of physics.
John Mahoney:
“Temperature dependence of perovskite solar cells”
Abstract: I spent my summer doing an REU at The University of Oklahoma under Dr. Ian Sellers. Our research focused heavily on perovskite solar cells, where we observed various effects of how these photovoltaics behave across a range of temperatures from 4K to 300K.
Mario Gallardo:
“A Method to Evaluate Cumulative Dose on TSET Patients on Patient Finite-Element Models using Cherenkov Imaging”
Abstract: The program I participated in this summer is called SUPERS, which stands for Summer Undergraduate Program for Educating Radiation Scientists. This is open to mainly rising juniors and seniors. One of their specialties was medical physics, and I worked under that subdivision in the radiation oncology department. My project involved patient modeling and imaging for electron beam therapy treatment. I worked in the Dr. Tim Zhu lab at the University of Pennsylvania, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine.

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: Science Complex P-317

October 5th

Topic: Skyrmions and Biskyrmions in Magnetic Films

Speaker: Dr. Daniel Capic (Visiting Professor in the TCNJ Physics Department)

Abstract: Skyrmions have garnered significant attention in condensed matter systems in recent years.They were originally studied in the context of high-energy physics by Tony Skyrme as topologically non-trivial solutions that arose from the addition of a constrained term to the Lagrangian. Later, Belavin and Polyakov found that in ferromagnetic films, they appear as defects in the ferromagnetic order which otherwise prefers the alignment of all the spins in one direction. These defects are quasiparticles that are characterized by an integer topological charge. Since skyrmions can be as small as a few lattice spacings, are easy to create and manipulate, and can persist on long time scales, they have been looked to for their use in computing applications. This talk will describe what a skyrmion is and the meaning of “topological charge”, the properties of skyrmions and related topologically non-trivially quasiparticles, and other findings I published in the course of completing my PhD.

Bio: Dr. Capic is from Staten Island, NY and went to Stony Brook university for undergrad, which is part of the state university of New York (SUNY) system where he double majored in physics and math. He did his PhD at the CUNY Graduate Center (city university of New York). He studies theoretical condensed matter. He currently studies skyrmions, which are objects with a non-trivial topology that can appear in magnetic systems.

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: Science Complex P-317

October 15th

Topic: Alumni Panel on Graduate School

Speakers: TCNJ Physics Alumni

Abstract: This colloquium will feature a panel of TCNJ physics alumni at different stages of completing a graduate degree. We will be joined by Joseph Avenoso (2016; optics), Brianna Santangelo (2017; PER), Mitchell Revalski (2014; astrophysics), Terance Schuh (2019; geosciences), and Samantha Staskiewicz (2019, climate science).

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: Science Complex P-317

November 19th

Topic: Identification of urban localities with land subsidence due to groundwater extraction in Mexico by using InSAR-SBAS

Speaker: Enrique Fernandez, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico

Abstract: Land subsidence due to groundwater extraction is a process that has increased its influence due to the development of cities and agricultural areas around the world.  In this context, Interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) has been successfully used for the characterization of the magnitude and spatial distribution of land subsidence. In this presentation, we will show the latest effort to identify urban areas undergoing land subsidence due to groundwater extraction in Mexico. We used 4,611 scenes from ESA’s Sentinel 1 A/B SAR sensors acquired from descending orbits from September 2018 through October 2019. This dataset was processed at UNAM’s Mitztli supercomputer using ISCE and MintPy software. The quality of the resulting velocity maps is assessed through a large-scale comparison with observations from 103 GPS throughout Mexico.  Our results show that at least 13% of the total population of Mexico live in urban areas with subsidence velocities of 2.5 cm/year or greater, in more than 750 localities.

Enrique Fernandez-Torres obtained his BSc in Geology at the University of Los Andes, Venezuela in 2013 and a Master in Earth Sciences at the National Autonomous University of Mexico in 2019 and is currently a Ph.D. student in Earth Sciences at UNAM. His research focuses on the application of InSAR and GIS techniques for the study of land subsidence associated with groundwater extraction in urban areas.

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: Science Complex P-317

December 7th

Topic: Bringing a Neutron Star Down to Earth

Speaker: Professor Jim Napolitano, Temple University

Abstract:  Neutron stars are truly out of this world. First theorized in the 1930’s, it wasn’t until 1967, when graduate student Jocelyn Bell discovered them through their pulsating radio signals, that we knew they existed. With masses roughly equal to that of the Sun, but with radii of only several kilometers, they have enormous densities, comparable to that of the atomic nucleus. With the development of precision astronomy across the electromagnetic spectrum, and now through gravitational radiation, we are gaining more and more observational data. Nevertheless, there are still many mysteries surrounding the structure and behavior of these fascinating objects.
This talk will discuss what we now know about neutron stars, and also what we don’t know. In particular, we will talk about the Equation of State of neutron matter, and how the precision nuclear physics experiments PREX and CREX at Jefferson Lab are aiming to inform state-of-the-art calculations. Details of these experiments and their results will be presented, and their implications will be discussed.

Bio: I am Professor of Physics at Temple University, having joined the faculty here in January 2014, and served as Department Chair from 2015 through Summer 2021. Prior to Temple, I was on the faculty at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for 20 years. After getting my PhD at Stanford University in 1982, I worked at Argonne National Laboratory and CEBAF (now Jefferson Laboratory) before joining RPI. My research is in experimental nuclear and high energy physics, specifically in neutrino oscillations, hadron spectroscopy, and parity violating electron scattering. I have a keen interest in physics education, love the classroom experience and working closely with students, and have published several textbooks.

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: Science Complex P-317

Spring, 2021

February 19th

Speaker: Adam Riegel, Hofstra University

Topic: Health Physics at Chernobyl

Abstract: Dr. Riegel will introduce physical concepts of radiation and the biological effects radiation has on the
human body through the lens of last year’s HBO miniseries “Chernobyl.” Topics will include differences in
alpha, beta, and gamma radiation, the units of radiation exposure and dose, and the illnesses caused by
significant acute radiation exposure such as those seen in the tragic nuclear incident at Chernobyl and
represented in the recent miniseries. Dr. Riegel will also briefly introduce the field of medical physics and
discuss opportunities in the MS in Medical Physics program at Hofstra University.
Dr. Adam Riegel obtained his PhD in medical physics in 2010 from the Graduate School of Biomedical
Sciences from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. Since that time,
Dr. Riegel has been a therapeutic medical physicist in the Department of Radiation Medicine at Northwell
Health. Dr. Riegel received board certification in 2013 and is currently the associate chief physicist at
Northwell. Dr. Riegel holds the rank of Adjunct Associate Professor in the Hofstra College of Liberal Arts
and Sciences, Associate Professor in the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, and is the
director of the medical physics graduate program at Hofstra University. Dr. Riegel is an active researcher
with numerous publications and is a participant in the regional and national medical physics community,
serving as a reviewer for several physics and radiation oncology journals and as a member of several
scientific and professional committees.

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: Zoom (email physics@tcnj.edu for link)

March 2nd

Topic: Measuring and enhancing quantitative reasoning in physics instruction

Speaker: Dr. Suzanne White Brahmia (University of Washington)

Abstract: Being able to identify and understand quantitative situations is an expected outcome of taking a physics course. In the current crises in which we are mired, it is also essential to be an informed global citizen. Although quantitative procedural competency is a prerequisite for most introductory physics courses, spontaneous and productive mathematical reasoning across physics contexts is a desirable learning outcome of these courses for all students, regardless of major, and ideally it develops there. Physics Quantitative Literacy (PQL) is a set of interconnected skills and habits of mind that support quantitative reasoning about the physical world. In spite of being an important objective of physics instruction, there does not yet exist a validated instrument for assessing to what extent physics courses actually develop PQL. In this talk I will present the PIQL, Physics Inventory of Quantitative Literacy, which is in its final stages of instrument validation at the UW in a multi-institution collaboration. PIQL targets introductory physics – where the “math world” and “physical world” meet – assessing students’ proportional reasoning, covariational reasoning, and reasoning with signed quantities as they are used in physics. Unlike multiple-choice concept inventories, which assess conceptual mastery of specific physics topics, PIQL is a multiple-choice reasoning inventory that can provide snapshots of student reasoning that is continuously developing. Answer choices are constructed based on research-validated natures of expert mathematical reasoning in physics contexts. I will describe how this work can help lead both to improved instruction that better meets the objective of developing physics quantitative literacy, and, through analytical methods of student responses, to better understanding the novice state and the novice-expert transition. This work is support by the National Science Foundation DUE-IUSE # 1832836, # 1832880, and # 1833050.
Preprint of paper is posted here: https://arxiv.org/abs/2009.10865

Bio: Dr. Suzanne Brahmia obtained a PhD in Physics from Rutgers University in 2014. She is now an assistant professor in the department of physics at the University of Washington. Her primary research area is mathematization in physics: Novice-to-expert transition, Quantification, Proportional Reasoning, Negativity, Symbolizing, Covariational reasoning, Inventing with Contrasting Cases. She is also currently exploring the impacts of Assessable Learning Objectives (ALOs) on teaching and learning: Standardizing ALOs across the introductory curriculum, Impact of ALOs on student learning and on faculty practices.

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: Zoom (email physics@tcnj.edu for link)

March 19th

Topic: Research Opportunities at TCNJ

Speakers: TCNJ Physics Department Faculty

Abstract: Our physics department is rich with research opportunities and in this colloquium, we will introduce you to a variety of them. Dr. McGee will describe research opportunities within the new structure of the physics capstone experience as well as exciting new international scholarships for research and academic credit. Dr. Graham and Dr. Lanz will then discuss opportunities this summer and this fall to undertake research in geophysics and astrophysics.

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: Zoom (email physics@tcnj.edu for link)

April 6th & April 23rd

Speaker: Alumni Panels

Topic: These colloquia will feature a panel of TCNJ physics alumni at different stages of their careers in different fields. On April 6th, we will be joined by Bill Donovan (2008), Nicholas Freschi (2016), Jason Malatesta (2002), Shannon Springstead (2020), Joseph Stassi (2020), and Jarod Talbot (2008). On April 23rd, we will be joined by Geena Elghossain (2019), Kyle Gilroy (2011), Noelle Gothardt (2011), Michelle Reno (2000), and Julian Starr (2012). View the biosketches of each panelist by clicking here.

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: Zoom (e-mail physics@tcnj.edu for link)

May 4th

Topic: Seismicity Induced by Hydraulic Fracturing: Eagle Ford Shale Play, South Texas

Speaker: Dr. Shannon Fasola (Miami University, Ohio)

Abstract:  As the advancements in unconventional drilling for oil and gas have become more commonplace, the potential for seismicity induced by wastewater disposal (WD) and hydraulic fracturing (HF) has become an increasingly important issue. Understanding the mechanisms behind what induces seismicity is important for developing proper practices and policies that will help reduce the seismic hazard. South Texas is an area of interest for studying induced seismicity, because it has a history of active oil and gas production, HF, WD, and seismicity; some of which occurs within or near areas of pervasive faulting. Seismicity in the Eagle Ford oil and gas field of south Texas grew to 33 times higher than previous years in 2018. We investigated how HF contributed to seismicity since 2014 by comparing times and locations of HF with a catalog of seismicity extended through seismogram similarity detection (template matching). Over 200 HF wells in Karnes, Atascosa, and Gonzales counties had seismicity nearby during operation with ~90 earthquakes having magnitudes ≥ 2.0, indicating seismicity from HF is more common in this area than previously thought. We found that HF strategy affects the probability of earthquakes. Seismicity was twice as likely when operators inject into multiple nearby wells simultaneously compared to when they inject into multiple wells one at a time. The simultaneous strategy was three times more likely to produce seismicity compared to a single well strategy. Of the ~2,400 HF‐induced earthquakes we identified, a magnitude 4.0 is one of the largest reported in the United States, and it occurred ~10 km from the largest (magnitude 4.8) earthquake in south Texas, thought to be due to fluid extraction in 2011. This study demonstrates that faults in this area are capable of producing felt and potentially damaging earthquakes due to ongoing HF.

Since 2018, several seismic recording stations have been added in the area revealing a new region of seismicity in Live Oak county. We sought to perform a deeper exploration of how HF has contributed to recent seismicity using template matching and repeating signal detection (RSD), which employs machine learning to search for earthquakes different from the template catalog. RSD identified new bursts of seismicity with a shorter S-P time (~2 sec) than the previous catalog (> 4 sec). We found HF stimulations close to the station at the times when those short S-P events occurred. The short S-P events have smaller magnitudes (ML < 2.0), consistent with the idea that HF-induced seismicity in the Eagle Ford is likely more pervasive than previously reported, but detection is limited by the density of seismic stations. RSD and template matching identified 1,600 earthquakes correlated with HF from January 2019 to February 2020. We confirmed that newly detected HF-induced seismicity in Live Oak county did not occur until January 2019. Despite similar cumulative volume prior to 2019, the onset of seismicity did not occur until HF injection exceeded 2 million barrels per month over this area, supporting the notion that injection flux is a stronger influence on the occurrence of seismicity than cumulative volume.

Bio:  Shannon Fasola is an observational seismologist with a diverse area of interest and experience in seismology with an interest in contributing to the overall understanding of seismic and aseismic slip in subduction zones and human-induced seismicity. She received her bachelors in geology from St. Norbert College in Wisconsin in 2014 and came to Miami University in Ohio shortly after to pursue a graduate degree studying geophysics and seismology. She received her master’s in 2016 where her thesis utilized seismicity, nonvolcanic tremor, and slow slip to analyze the geometry of the subducting plate in Oaxaca, Mexico. Shannon enjoyed Miami so much she decided to stay on for a PhD. She defended her dissertation last fall which investigated earthquake swarms for clues of their driving mechanisms. Today her talk will focus on some of her work from her dissertation related to human induced seismicity in Texas.

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: Zoom (email physics@tcnj.edu for link)

Spring, 2018

April 20th

Topic: Working as a Radiation Physicist: from Radioactive Seed Implantation for Cancer Treatment to the Development of Radon Exposure Limits for Homeowner Safety

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: SCP 317

Click here for more information

March 6th

Topic: Intellectual Property Law and its Importance as a Career Path for Science Majors

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: SCP 317

Click here for more information

February 16th

Topic: Holding and Spinning Molecules with Laser Pulses

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: SCP 317

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Fall, 2017

September 15th

Topic: Introduction to String Theory

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: SCP 317

Click here for more information

October 3rd

Topic: Measuring gas and nanoparticles with coherent Rayleigh-Brillouin Scattering

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: SCP 317

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Fall, 2016

September 16th – TCNJ Physics Majors

Topic: Summer Research Experiences

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: SCP 317

Click here for more information

October 21st – Physics Department Colloquium/Job Fair

Topic: Opportunities in Optics: Edmund Optics & TCNJ (Bring Your Resume)

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: SCP 317

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November 1st – Dr. Craig Kletzing, University of Iowa

Topic: Stormy (Space) Weather: An “Emfisis” on the Radiation Belt Storm Probes

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: SCP 317

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November 18th – Ms. Stephanie J. Thomas, Princeton Satellite Systems

Topic: Advanced Aerospace Propulsion: From Solar Sails to Fusion

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: SCP 317

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Spring, 2016

February 2nd – Dr. Mukti M. Rana, Associate Professor/Chair, Department of Physics & Engineering, Delaware State University

Topic: Inspired by Nature – A Spider Web Design for Reducing Thermal Conductance of Uncooled Infrared Detectors and Current Research Opportunities at DSU

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: SCP 317

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March 1st – Dr. Nathan Magee, Associate Professor, TCNJ Department of Physics

Topic: Opportunities in Physics Education: The NSF-TCNJ Robert Noyce Scholarship Program

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: SCP 317

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April 5th – Dr. Michael Mumma, Director, The Goddard Center for Astrobiology, NASA Space Flight Center

Topic: “The Search for Life on Mars”

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: SCP 101

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Fall, 2015

September 18th – TCNJ Physics Majors

Topic: Summer Research Experiences

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: SCP 317

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October 6th – Dr. Gregory Herman, NJ Geological & Waters Survey (NJGWS), Adjunct Professor TCNJ & Rider University

Topic: 3D and 4D Visualization of Earth Systems

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: SCP 317

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October 16th – Dr. John Bochanski, Department of Physics, Rider University

Topic: Where does the Milky Way end?

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: SCP 317

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November 3rd – Dr. Clayton E. Myers, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory

Topic: Bringing the Cosmos Down to Earth: Studying Astrophysical Processes in Laboratory Experiments

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: SCP 317

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November 20th – Dr. Joseph L. Baker, Department of Chemistry, TCNJ

Topic: Biomolecules in Motion: Molecular Modeling and Simulation of Biomolecular Systems

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: SCP 317

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Spring, 2015

February 20th – Knicole Colon (TCNJ Alumna), Lehigh University

Topic: Investigating the Formation of Exotic Extrasolar Planets

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: SCP 117

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March 3rd – James Napolitano, Department of Physics, Temple University

Topic: Neutrinos, Nuclear Reactors and the Origin of Matter

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: SCP 117

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April 7th – Dr. Benjamin Gross, Chemical Heritage Foundation

Topic: How RCA Led the Way to a Physics Nobel

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: SCP 117

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Fall, 2014

September 19th – Dr. Taryl Kirk & Dr. AJ Richards, Department of Physics, TCNJ

Topic: Magnetic Contrast Imaging in NFESEM & Learning About Learning

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: SCP 317

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October 7th – Shane McGary, Department of Physics, TCNJ

Topic: When Plates Collide/Making Moons

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: SCP 317

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October 17th – Raha Ghassemi and Cory Leahy, TCNJ Physics Alumni

Topic: International Study Experiences & Opportunities with TCNJ Physics

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: SCP 317

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November 4th – Michael Erickson and John Ferrie, TCNJ Physics Alumni

Topic: Transitioning to Graduate Level Coursework and Research

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: SCP 317

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December 2nd – Dr. Jarrett Moyer, Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Ubana-Champaign & Candidate for Experimentalist Tenure-Track Position in Physics

Topic: Exploring Functionality in Complex Oxide Thin Films

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: SCP 317

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December 5th – Dr. Angela Capece, Associate Research Physicist, Princeton Plasma Physics Lab & Candidate for Experimentalist Tenure-Track Position in Physics

Topic: Postcards from the Plasma Edge: Understanding the Plasma-Materials Interface

Time: 12:30 PM

Location: SCP 317

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December 8th – Dr. Michael Ray, Visiting Assistant Professor, Union College & Candidate for Experimentalist Tenure-Track Position in Physics

Topic: The Super World of Superfluids

Time: 11:30 PM

Location: SCP 317

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December 10th – Dr. Shawna Hollen, Postdoctoral Researcher, Center for Emergent Materials, Ohio State University & Candidate for Experimentalist Tenure-Track Position in Physics

Topic: Atomic Legos: Building Next-Generation Electronics in the 2D Limit

Time: 11:45 PM

Location: SCP 317

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Spring, 2014

February 6th – Dr. Robert A. Bartolini, Senior Vice President (Retired), Sarnoff Corporation

Topic: Taking Technology to Market

Time: 11:30 AM

Location: SCP 117

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February 27th – Adric Riedel, American Museum of Natural History

Topic: The Solar Neighborhood Cradle

Time: 11:30 AM

Location: SCP 317

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March 20th – Dr. Beth Cunningham, Executive Officer, American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT)

Topic: Building Better (and More) Physics Educators

Time: 11:30 AM

Location: SCP 317

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April 3rd – Dr. Neil Aaronson, TCNJ Alum and Associate Professor of Physics, Stockton State College

Topic: Underwater Hearing and the Squishy Head Problem

Time: 11:30 AM

Location: SCP 317

Click here for more information

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April 17th – Dr. David Robinson, NJ State Climatologist and Professor of Geology, Rutgers University

Topic: Exploring NJ Climate Variability and Change

Time: 11:30 AM

Location: SCP 317


Fall, 2013

September 24th – Dr. Paul Pigram, La Trobe University Melbourne, Australia

Topic: International Study Opportunities for Physics Majors

Time: 11:30 AM

Location: SCP 117

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September 26th – Michael Hayden – Department of Physics, University of Maryland Baltimore County

Topic: “Wideband THz Time Domain and Optical-Pump THz-Probe Spectroscopy Using Electro-Optic Polymer Sensors”

Time: 11:30 AM

Location: SCP 317

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October 10th – Eugenia Etkina – Department of Science Education, Rutgers University

Topic: “Physics Education Research”

Time: 11:30 AM

Location: SCP 317

Click here for more information

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November 5th – Ivan Biaggio – Department of Physics, Lehigh University

Topic: “Excitons in the Rubrene Single Crystal: Fission, Fusion, Diffusion, and Dissociation”

Time:4:00 PM

Location: SCP 317

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Spring, 2013

April 4th – Dr. Carl Salter, Moravian College

Topic: “Survey of Raman Spectroscopy for physics and chemistry students”

Time: 4:00 PM

Location: SCP 317

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March 28th – Dr. Douglas Larkin, Montclair State University

Topic: Science Education

Time: 11:30 AM

Location: SCP 317

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March 21st – Erica Smith, 2009 (PhD student, Drexel University) and Dan Silano, 2012 (Towers Watson HR Professional Consulting)

Topic: Life After TCNJ

Time: 11:30 AM

Location: SCP 317

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March 7th – Dr. Kevin Marshall, Widener University

Topic: Exploring active galactic nuclei through high energy variability

Time: 11:30 AM

Location: SCP-317

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February 14th – Dr. Gary Pajer , Princeton Satellite Systems

Topic: A colorful career in Physics

Time: 11:30 AM

Location: SCP – 317


Fall, 2012

October 18 – Will Levandowski, Geophysics, University of Colorado, Boulder
Topic: The mechanics andmath of mountain building

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November 29 – Inge Beckers, Bleuth Institute, Germany
Topic: 3D Optical Microscopy


Spring, 2012

January 24 – Dr. Tuan Nguyen, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh
Topic: “Revealing neural connectivity with photons and viruses”

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January 30 – Dr. Mazin Magzoub, Assistant Professor of Physics, Yale University
Topic: “Concentration dependent transitions govern the subcellular localization of Islet Amyloid Polypeptide”

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March 28 – Dr. Ken Budka, Alcatel-Lucent (Bell Labs)
Topic: “Theoretical Communications”

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April 18 – Dr. Alix Davatzes, Temple University
Topic: “Planetary Physics / Mars”


Fall, 2011

September 30Dr. Paul Wiita, Professor of Physics and Chair, TCNJ.
Topic: “Radio Galaxies and Blazars: Unifying a Family”

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October 3 — Dr. Paul Pigram, Dept. of Physics, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
Topic: “Surface Science, Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology”

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November 1 — Dr. M. Virginia McSwain, Dept. of Physics, Lehigh University
Topic: “To Be or Not To Be: The Origin of Be Star Disks”


Spring, 2011

January 19Dr. David J. McGee, Professor of Physics and Chair, Drew University.
Topic: “Photonics at the nanoscale: controlling optical functionality in block copolymer domains”

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January 21 — Dr. Michael Pierce, Staff physicist, Argonne National Laboratories
Topic: “How Atoms Dance: Surface dynamics, x-ray speckles, catalysis and what it all means to you”

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January 25 — Dr. Roberto Ramos, Assistant Professor of Physics, Drexel University.


Spring, 2010

April 22 — Dr. Robert Vanderbei, applied mathematician and distinguished astrophotographer, and Professor and Chair, Operations Research and Financial Engineering, Princeton University.
Topic: “The Search for Earth-like Planets”

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April 15 — Professor David Spergal. Chair, Astrophysical Science, Princeton University
Topic: “Dark Energy, Dark Matter, and Inflation”

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March 19 — Dr. Nate Magee. Interim chair, TCNJ Physics. School of Science Colloquium.
Topic: “The snowpocalyptic winter of 2010, climate change science, and the tuning of LUTES: perspectives from the surface of a snowflake.”

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March 3– Mike Carr, Rutgers University, Volcanologist and former Dean of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers.


Fall, 2009

September 16 — Dr. Mike Kavic, TCNJ new faculty in physics
Topic: “Transient Pulses from Exploding Primordial Black Holes as a Signature of an Extra Dimension”

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September 23 — Dr. Frederik Simons, Princeton University
Topic: “Robust tools to study noisy and incomplete geophysical and cosmological observables: Theory, applications and future directions.”

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Wed, Oct. 21: Marivi Fernandez-Serra, SUNY, Stony Brook
Topic: “The Hydrogen bond: source of water exotic properties and key to future’s green energy source”

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Wed, Oct. 28: John Simonetti, Virginia Tech
Topic: “A Black-Hole-Neutron-Star Binary System: Searching for Extra Spatial Dimensions”

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Friday Nov 20: Dr. Philip Rubin, George Mason Univ.
Topic: “Complicated Searches for Simplicity: An Introduction to Experimental Particle Physics”

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Wed, Dec. 2, Dr. Amer Lahamer, Berea College
Topic: Mossbauer and Laser Ablation Studies

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Fri., Dec. 4: Dr. Paul Wiita, Georgia State University
Topic: “Quasars, Radio Galaxies and Blazars: Fast Fluctuations and Furious Flows”


Fall, 2008

September 4 – Dr. George Coyne, reknowned astronomer, Jesuit priest and former director of the Vatican Observatory

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September 17th – Dr. Vadim Levin, Professor of Earth and Planetary Science, Rutgers University

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October 8th – Dr. Paul Evenson, Professor of Physics, Bartol Research Inst., University of Delaware

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October 27th – Dr. Peter Collings, Morris Clothier Professor of Physics, Swarthmore College
Topic: “Chromonic Liquid Crystals: A New Form of Soft Matter”

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November 5- Dr. Paul McCracken, Senior Research Physicist, Imaging Department, Merck Research Laboratories
Topic: “MRI research on disease processes ”

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November 19 – Dr. Geoff Abers, Columbia University
Topic: “Seismically imaging the effects of H2O on the deep Earth at subductionzones: Postcards from the wedge”

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November 20 – Dr. Robert Nemiroff, Mich. Tech University
Topic: “Adventures in Gravitational and Observational Astrophysics”

Contact

Physics Department
Science Complex, Room P123
The College of New Jersey
P.O. Box 7718
2000 Pennington Rd.
Ewing, NJ 08628

609.771.2569

physics@tcnj.edu

Department Office

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