Matthew Beals, who is a PhD candidate in Atmospheric Sciences, is a Fall 2013 recipient of the Outstanding Scholarship Award. Matt was nominated by the Department of Physics and recognized for his accomplishments by the Graduate School at Michigan Tech.
A certificate of recognition for this award will be presented at the Graduate Research Colloquium Banquet that is held in the spring.
Dr. Debasis Datta was inducted into Michigan Technological University’s Academy of Sciences and Arts on September 13, 2013. Datta graduated with a PhD in Physics from Michigan Technological University in 1994. His research work at Tech resulted in ten publications in American Physical Review. Following the completion of his postdoctoral work, he started his career in Information Technology in 1996 as a software engineer in the IT services industry. During his 16 year IT career, Debasis worked at DaimlerChrysler, PeopleSoft, Oracle and General Motors Corporation where he is currently employed.
Read more from the Dean’s Comments at the 2013 induction ceremony.
View the PHOTO GALLERY.
Last spring Will Cantrell was named a 2013 Michigan Distinguished Professor of the Year by the President’s Council, State Universities of Michigan. Cantrell was recognized for his outstanding contributions and dedication to the education of undergraduate students.
The President’s Council has posted a photo gallery of the award presentation event, which included Michigan Tech Provost Max Seel and co-recipients of the award.
Learn more about teaching award recipients from the Department of Physics at Michigan Tech.
Professor John Jaszczak (Physics), former undergraduate student Echoe Bouta, and Professor of Practice Mary Raber (Institution for Interdisciplinary Studies) published a paper “Nanotech Innovations Enterprise at Michigan Technological University” in the latest edition of Journal of Nano Education, which is a special issue commemorating ten years of National Science Foundation funding of Nanotechnology Undergraduate Education programs.
From Tech Today.
Dr. Bhabana Pati visited the department on Friday, July 12, 2013. Bhabna graduated in 1997 with a Ph.D. after working with Dr. Jacek Borysow as a “laser junkie.” She developed the single mode tunable titanium sapphire laser and subsequently tunable ultraviolet laser via sum frequency generation in a non-linear crystal.
Today she is a principal scientist at Q-Peak Co. and still a “laser junkie,” trying among many other things to shoot lasers at the Moon to find out its composition via Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy.
Michigan Tech has launched a new virtual tour of campus and the local area. Fisher Hall is included among the virtual walking tours. There are interactive panoramas of Fisher 135 and a First-Year Physics Lab as well.
Associate Professor Will Cantrell (Physics) is quoted in an article about how to find the best professors, published on the web site OnlineSchools.org. See Online Schools.
From Tech Today.
The Faculty Factor: How to Pick the Best Professors
Learning that takes place outside of the classroom is also equally important, and frequent interaction with professors can lead to greater gains in personal development and general education knowledge, the study found. It’s all about having a professor who is accessible.
“If you can go to a professor’s office and ask him or her for help, you will be able to learn a lot more,” says Will Cantrell, an associate professor of physics at Michigan Technological University. “A lot of university-level material is difficult. You probably will get stuck on something. There’s no substitute for having someone who has already mastered the material help you get unstuck.”
When you’re looking for a new dentist or hair dresser, it’s almost a no-brainer that you get the word-of-mouth before you’re sitting in the chair and it’s too late. The same can go for professors. When shopping for classes, ask current students in your area of study for recommendations on teachers they’ve liked.
“Talk to other students. There is no substitute for this,” says Cantrell. “Ask other students what classes they liked, and more importantly, why they liked those classes and professors. Take classes from professors that helped students learn, not just the ones who were easy.”
Read more on Education Debate at Online Schools.
CBS Detroit and its Technology Report published a story about Professor Bryan Suits’ (Physics) course titled Physics Behind Music. See CBS Detroit.
From Tech Today.
Demonstrating Physics and a Passion for Teaching
Read more at Michigan Tech News, by Kevin Hodur.
19th Annual Student Leadership Awards Announcements
Congratulations to the following students, student organizations, and advisors for inspiring community, scholarship, possibilities, accountability and tenacity within Michigan Tech as well as our community.
In the Department of Physics, Michael Adler is the 2013 recipient of the Provost Award for Scholarship.
Read more at Tech Today.
The Dean’s List for SPH and SAP physics majors is available for Fall 2012 under Physics Awards and Achievements. Congratulations to all the majors!