Biography:
Statement:
Physics is at the heart of nanotechnology. Exciting advances continue to be made that allow us to make, study, and understand materials at ever smaller length scales. These advances come at a time when many industries are faced with unprecedented technological challenges. The future of physics is bright. Industry, our colleagues, funding agencies, and most importantly, students, need to hear that message. This is the key to attracting the best students, increasing funding, and sustaining scientific progress.
I have held positions in academia, at national labs, and in industry. Each of these groups has different goals, and I have experienced the apparent disconnect between these groups first hand. But each relies on a continued commitment to fundamental materials physics. FIAP can be an important tool for fostering closer coordination between these three important APS constituencies.
I currently serve on the Executive Committee of the New York State Section of the APS. During my tenure we began an aggressive program to increase the number of undergraduate physics students attending NYSS symposia. The idea was to inspire undergraduates by direct contact with high-level physics research. Through financial grants to students, we dramatically increased undergraduate attendance at our biannual meetings. It is exciting to see undergraduates interacting with some of the leading researchers in the northeast. It’s a small example of strengthening the connection between APS constituencies. It’s my hope that similar efforts can be made on a larger scale through the FIAP.