Physics
PHY 497 Seminar series
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 2025 presentations or if you have any questions, please contact Dr. Eric Gansen, Physics Professor, at egansen@uwlax.edu.
Spring 2025 Seminars
(All seminars begin at 3:20 p.m. and are held in 111 Cowley Hall)
Wednesday, January 29
Topic: Seminar Description and Expectations & How to be a Physics Student
Speaker: Dr. Eric Gansen, Physics Professor, UW-La Crosse
Wednesday, February 5
Topic: Physics in Action: Exploring Careers and Internships
Speaker: Carolyn Moe, Career Services Coordinator, UW-La Crosse and Joe Heger, Mechanical Engineering Manager, Trane Technologies
Wednesday, February 12
Topic: Non-thermal Plasma Synthesis of Alternative Plasmonic Materials
Speaker: Dr. Chris Rudnicki, Visiting Assistant Professor of Physics, Grinnell College
Wednesday, February 19
Topic: What is Engineering Physics?
Speaker: Dr. Eric Gansen, Physics Professor, UW-La Crosse
Wednesday, February 26
Topic: Rethinking High-Power Fiber Lasers: Bold Paths to the Brightest Light
Speaker: Dr. Chun Wei (Joe) Chen, Postdoctoral Scholar, Applied Physics, Stanford University
Wednesday, March 5
Topic: Green Multifunctional Materials for Decarbonization and Energy Accessibility
Speaker: Dr. Abdelaziz Gouda, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Toronto
Wednesday, March 12
Topic: UWL Physics Clubs: Who, What, Where, and Why?
Speaker: Dr. Eric Gansen, Physics Professor, UW-La Crosse
Wednesday, March 19
Spring Break - No Seminar
Wednesday, March 26
Topic: All-Optical Switching in ZnO Quantum Wells
Speaker: Dr. Eric Gansen, Physics Professor, UW-La Crosse
Wednesday, April 2
Topic: Astronomy Research at UW-Madison
Speaker: Dr. Melinda Soares-Furtado, Assistant Professor, Department of Astronomy, UW-Madison
Wednesday, April 9
Topic: Senior Student Panel
Speaker: TBA,
Wednesday, April 16
Topic: Dual Degree Physics and Engineering Programs at UW-Platteville
Speaker: Melissa Gavin, Director of Platteville Distance Engineering Programs, UW-Platteville
Wednesday, April 23
Topic: Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium (WSGC) Rocket Competition
Speaker: Bennett Capelle, Physics Major, UW-La Crosse
Wednesday, April 30
Topic: Sigma Pi Sigma Initiation and Physics Capstone Poster Session
Speaker: Dr. Seth King, Physics Professor, UW-La Crosse