Understanding the universe. Creating new technologies.
Jeremy Perrin was a finalist for the American Physical Society’s LeRoy Apker Award for undergraduate physics achievement. Two awards are given each year — one to a student from a PhD-granting department and one from a non-PhD-granting department. Perrin’s St. Mary’s Project focused on “Fermions in Randall-Sundrum Models with Two Additional Flat Extra Dimensions.” He is currently working toward his doctorate in physics at Cornell University.
Erin Knutson was the 2014 recipient of the Weitzel Research Award. The award supported her research internship with Dr. Frank Narducci and SMCM Profs. Grossman and Adler at the nearby Patuxent River Naval Air Station. Knutson investigated cold atomic beams for atom interferometry.
Jonathan Kwolek received the 2014 Physics Department Award. While majoring in physics and math, Kwolek participated in atomic physics research with Dr. Frank Narducci of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, along with Profs. Grossman and Adler. Kwolek’s St. Mary’s Project was on “A Dual Accelerometer Gyroscope Atom Interferometer,” which could help the Navy with inertial navigation. He presented his work at the national conference of the Division of Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics of the American Physical Society in Madison, WI. He is continuing his atomic physics studies in the doctoral program in physics at the University of Connecticut.
On Sept 19, 2014, students presented research they did in summer internships. Fourteen students shared their experiences working with SMCM faculty, the Navy, NASA, NIST, and other universities. Their research included astrophysics, biophysics, atomic physics, planetary physics, medical physics, and atmospheric physics. Around 90% of SMCM physics majors participate in research internships during college.
On October 25, 2014, SMCM Physics alumni, students, and faculty gathered for a day-long event, focusing on careers. Activities included career talks, career panels, networking, research presentations, and information on services offered by the SMCM Career Development Center and the American Physical Society. Alumni toured the program’s updated facilities and spent time meeting current students.
SMCM Physics faculty play leadership roles in the American Physical Society
Associate Professor Erin De Pree was elected to the APS Mid-Atlantic Section Executive Committee as Member-at-Large. Associate Professor Josh Grossman serves on the APS national Committee on Membership. Professor Chuck Adler serves on the national selection committee for the APS Apker Award.
Jeremy Perrin was a finalist for the American Physical Society’s LeRoy Apker Award for undergraduate physics achievement. Two awards are given each year — one to a student from a PhD-granting department and one from a non-PhD-granting department. Perrin’s St. Mary’s Project focused on “Fermions in Randall-Sundrum Models with Two Additional Flat Extra Dimensions.” He is currently working toward his doctorate in physics at Cornell University.
