Thirteen students graduated St. Mary’s College of Maryland with a physics major in the 2014-2015 academic year. This places SMCM Physics in the top few percent of undergraduate-only physics departments when ranked by number of graduates.
Jeremy Perrin ‘13 finalist for 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.
Erin Knutson awarded Weitzel Research Award
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 selected for 2014 Physics Department Award
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.
SMCM Physics Student Summer Research Symposium
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.
SMCM Physics Alumni + Students + Faculty Gathering focused on careers.
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.
De Pree takes students to attend APS April Meeting in Savannah
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 ‘13 finalist for 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.
Agencies Align on Education
The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and The Patuxent Partnership have formalized an educational partnership agreement that will advance scientific research and foster academic growth in science, mathematics, technology, and engineering. Representatives from those organizations gathered on the college campus Tuesday, Oct. 18, to sign the agreement.
The signers included Joseph Urgo, St. Mary’s College president; Rear Admiral Randy Mahr, Commander, NAWCAD; and Bonnie Green, executive director, The Patuxent Partnership, a non-profit member organization that works with government, industry, and academia to advance technology-related education and workforce development.
“This agreement formalizes a partnership with the Navy that has existed for several years in the form of student internships and faculty research collaborations,” said Urgo. “I’m glad for the opportunity to more closely collaborate on our shared goals of advancing research and academic growth in Southern Maryland.”
“The labs on the base are national assets to be shared with St. Mary’s faculty and student interns alike,” said Mahr. “We need the bright young minds at St. Mary’s to work with us, in physics and math and the visual arts. We welcome you formally today to come learn and create with us.”
Bonnie Green, of The Patuxent Partnership, expressed her satisfaction with the agreement. “Our work on behalf of workforce development and technology-related education affirms the value of the partnership between the three entities and its impact on the future workforce.”
The agreement will also provide educational experiences for St. Mary’s College of Maryland students and faculty using expertise, unique facilities, equipment and technology. Furthermore, the agreement will facilitate student internships, particularly in fields relating to the real-world technical applications required by the U.S. Navy.