May 2022 Newsletter

Message from Jugal Talukdar, President, Graduate Student Association (GPSI):

GPSI in collaboration with the Community and Inclusion committee hosted the first-ever graduate research poster session on April 22nd. Fifteen graduate students from our department presented their research work. The session was attended by more than 70 physics enthusiasts, mostly graduate and undergraduate students. Looking ahead, we hope that this event will take place every year. It will be a great opportunity for the members of the Homer L. Dodge Department of Physics and Astronomy to come together to celebrate graduate research. GPSI would like to acknowledge the financial support provided by the department to organize the event.

The annual end-of-semester celebration, the Physics Final Fling, was held on the afternoon of Thursday May 5. There was a departmental photograph, food, awards for scholastic achievement for both undergraduates and graduates, and the first ever Alec Montec Norris Memorial Ballistic Balloon Competition between undergraduate, graduate and faculty teams!

With the weather not cooperating, the food and awards ceremony were moved to the foyer in front of room 170.

GPSI organized the "Careers in Industry Workshop" on April 29th via zoom. Chad Lindley and Brian Rossman, two industry professionals with each over 20 years of professional experience talked about the application process and what it is like working in the software industry. They shed light on various topics, including resume tips, standing out in both job applications and interviews, the nature of programming jobs, and the importance of networking. More than 50 graduate and undergraduate students participated in the workshop, making it a great success. GPSI would like to thank Robert E. Wiley for taking the lead in organizing the workshop.

Our astronomy majors meet Fred Haise! From Wikipedia:

After his military service, Haise returned to school and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree with honors in aeronautical engineering from the University of Oklahoma in 1959, concurrently serving for two years in the Oklahoma Air National Guard, as a fighter interceptor pilot with the 185th Fighter Interceptor Squadron flying the F-86D.

NASA career: In 1966, Haise was one of 19 new astronauts selected for NASA Astronaut Group 5.[8] He had already been working with NASA for several years as a civilian research pilot. He was the first astronaut among his class to be assigned to a mission, serving as backup Lunar Module Pilot for both Apollo 8 and Apollo 11.

Physics undergraduate Aidan Sudler does not just have interests in physics. Aidan is also a highly accomplished pianist.

Congratulations to Aidan for having been selected to perform in OU’s Young Artist Honors Concert on Saturday, April 30, 3:00pm, in Catlett Music Center, Pitman Recital Hall. Presented by the School of Music, the Young Artist Honors Concert features the winners of the Young Artist Solo Competition. Eight freshman and sophomore students performed solo works during the concert.

This year’s winners are Kevin Barton, Xavier Williams, Xander McRae, Meagan Ballard, Elayna Davidson, Jace Harris, Ethan Roberts, and Aidan Sudler. You can listen to a recording at this link (it starts at minute 31) — very nice performance!

Message from Prof. Muk Kilic:

"We took 17 students, 12 undergrads and 5 grad students, to the Apache Point Observatory this month. We had a fantastic time, and the students got trained to use the APO 3.5m telescope. Attached are some of the pictures from the telescope, as well as a few pictures that we took at the telescope."