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Physics and Astronomy Seminar (PHY 497)

This seminar series is intended for majors and minors in the department of physics as well as other students interested in physics, engineering and astronomy. It will consist of a weekly series of talks given by visiting scientists and engineers as well as senior research students and is held in both the fall and spring semesters.  

Attendance is not limited to physics students and faculty - all students and faculty are welcome to attend.

For information on the Spring 2024 presentations or if you have any questions, please contact Dr. Shauna Sallmen, Physics & Astronomy Professor, at ssallmen@uwlax.edu.


Spring 2024 Seminars
(All seminars begin at 3:20 p.m. and are held in 111 Cowley Hall)

Wednesday, January 24
Introduction to PHY 497

Wednesday, January 31
Speaker:  Dr. Yasha Gindikin, Postdoctoral Researcher in Physics, University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Topic:  Pair Spin-orbit Interaction in Low-dimensional Electron Systems

Wednesday, February 7
Speaker:  Dr. Eric Gansen, Professor, Physics, UW-La Crosse
Topic:  Towards ZnO Ultraviolet All-Optical Switches

Wednesday, February 14
Speaker:  Pari Lukwitz, UWL Physics Alumni, Naval Nuclear Laboratory
Topic: History of the Nuclear Navy

Wednesday, February 21
Speaker:  Dr. Anne-Marie Lerner, Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, UW-Platteville
Topic:  Dual-Degree Engineering at UW-Platteville

Wednesday, February 28
Speaker:  Dr. Laura McCullough, Professor of Physics, UW-Stout
Topic:  Supporting Diversity in STEM

Wednesday, March 6
Speaker:  Dr. Rachel Ellestad, Associate Dean for Student Success, University of Minnesota Duluth
Topic:  Dual Degree Engineering at the University of Minnesota Duluth

Wednesday, March 13
Spring Break (no seminar)

Wednesday, March 20
Speaker:  Dr. Jo Hopp, Former Physics Professor, Founder and Executive Director ALG Hockey (Academics, Leadership, Growth)
Topic:  Mindset and the Physics Classroom - Using Mental Performance Strategies to Succeed in Physics (and Everything Else!)

Wednesday, March 27
Speaker:  Dr. Beckry Abdel-Magid, Department Chair and Professor, Composite Materials Engineering, Winona State University
Topic:  Undergraduate Research in Composite Materials Engineering

Wednesday, April 3
Speaker:  Dr. Trey Wenger, Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Astronomy, UW-Madison
Topic:  HII Regions and Structure in the Milky Way

Wednesday, April 10
Speaker:  Dr. Daniel J. Stevens, Assistant Professor, Physics, University of Minnesota Duluth
Topic:  Probing Astrophysics from Exoplanet to Galactic Scales with Transit/Eclipse Observations

Wednesday, April 17
No seminar

Wednesday, April 24
Speaker:  Dr. Paul Wilson, Department Chair, Grainger Professor of Nuclear Engineering, UW-Madison
Topic:  Modeling Nuclear Fuel Cycles to Support Policy Action

Wednesday, May 1
Speaker:  PHY 491 Capstone Students
Topic:  Physics Capstone Poster Session