PHYSICS FLASH
    News from the Department of Physics ~ January 2008

ASU PHYSICS
Department of Physics
Arizona State University
PO Box 871504
Tempe, AZ 85287
480.965.3561

Friends of ASU Physics  invest in the future, honor the past
Poet and abolitionist, John Greenleaf Whittier (b.1807, d.1892) once said "The great eventful Present hides the Past; but through the din of its loud life hints and echoes from the life behind steal in." This sentiment rings true today as students apply for scholarships in the Department of Physics. Through scholarships and awards, ASU Physics' past connects with its present - and future -  in several meaningful ways.
   Among its honors, ASU Physics is a world leader in electron microscopy. For more than 30 years, John C. Wheatley helped develop that reputation as - among other things - the Lab Manager for the John M. Cowley Center for High Resolution Electron Microscopy.
   But perhaps more importantly, John cared deeply about the students who were learning microscopy at ASU. That legacy of student focus and support continues today through the John C. Wheatley Undergraduate Research Scholarship which was established in 2005 by his widow, Peggy, and the many faculty and friends that admired John's dedication and hard work.
   "Without a doubt, (this scholarship) will result in constructive growth in both my academics and capabilities as a future scientist" says Andrew Gamalski, 2007 recipient of the John C. Wheatley Undergraduate Research Scholarship.
   This scholarship is one example of how community generosity plays a dual role in honoring the past while expanding opportunities for ASU Physics students today.
   Another wonderful example of the link between past and future can be found in the Wally Stoelzel Physics Scholarship and Fellowship. Through Mr. Stoelzel's generosity, the department honors the memory of Dr. Allen Wager, former Chair of the Department of Physics, and Ms. Glenna Curtis, former department secretary. The awards recognize outstanding ASU graduate or undergraduate physics students who are from the United States. The positive and lasting impression that Dr. Wager and Ms. Curtis left on Mr. Stoelzel when he was a student in the department is mirrored in the impact his scholarship has on ASU Physics students today.
   Scholarships through ASU Physics play a crucial role in enhancing the educational experience of graduate and undergraduate students. This is especially true today as the costs of a quality education and the demand for outstanding scientists rise. Scholarships help the student maintain their focus on the science and not the finances.
   Sutharsan Ketharanathan, 2007 recipient of the Mark Anderson Outstanding Thesis Award, reflects on how he came to be in ASU Physics and the impact receiving an award has had on him.
   "I am originally from Sri Lanka, a third world country torn apart by a long civil war. I came here - seven years ago - after a long struggle, to pursue my dream to get a PhD in physics....PhD programs in physics take relatively longer time (to complete) and awards like this...give (me) something to be proud about...it means a lot." says Ketharanathan.
   The awards and scholarships also provide an important link between the community and ASU Physics. This partnership has obvious benefits to the recipient. But the link also benefits the community as ASU Physics students go on to successful careers that shape health care, technology, urban development, renewable energy, and physics education - areas that impact the community in a significant way.
   As students apply for department scholarships and awards this month, the "hints and echoes of life behind" once again steal in and give us pause to reflect upon, appreciate, and anticipate great success in ASU Physics.

For more information on scholarships through ASU Physics, please visit http://physics.asu.edu/scholarships/scholarships.php.

For more information on giving opportunities as a FRIEND OF ASU PHYSICS, please visit http://physics.asu.edu/alumni/welcome.php.

ASU Physics' postdoc wins  international  award in biophysics

Congratulations to Dr. Craig Jolley on winning the 2008 Young Bioenergeticist Award presented by the Biophysical Society. The award is given to a graduate student or postdoc in biological physics who demonstrates an excellent track record of accomplishment and whose abstract is recognized as outstanding by the Society.
   Craig received the award for research conducted while under the direction of Dr. Michael Thorpe and Dr. Petra Fromme as a graduate student in the ASU Center for Biological Physics.

   Craig will present his work at the Biophysical Society meeting in Long Beach in February where he will also receive a citation and a check. Craig continues his work with the Center for Biological Physics as a post doc under the direction of Dr, Michael  Thorpe.
 

A computational model of Photosystem I, one of the major protein complexes involved in oxygenic photosynthesis. For more information on Craig’s research, go to http://www.public.asu.edu/~cjolley/.
 
For more information on the Center for Biological Physics and the research of Michael Thorpe and Petra Fromme, please visit

http://biophysics.asu.edu/CBP/.

From the Chair
‘Impossible Problems’ and Students Learning Physics

An education in physics enables our current students to pursue careers that are associated with some of the most challenging and complex problems.  Our current students are destined to contribute in much the same way as students from past years. Past students have advanced our society through their contributions which ranged from building the understanding of the world around us to developing the technologies that affect our lives. 
   I can remember my days as a physics student trying to work through homework problems that seemed impossible. Eventually, most problems gave way after many long hours of reviewing class notes and course texts, and trying different mathematical approaches.  One of the things that proved enjoyable to me and my friends was sharing how we each solved the most difficult problems. Often times, we used quite different approaches.  We learned from each other, and we appreciated particularly novel approaches.  Sometimes we spent an equally long time trying to understand why one of our approaches did not work or differed by the proverbial 2-pi.
   Beyond solving some of the most complex problems known to mankind, the environment for students in ASU Physics is rich with opportunities to both learn and discover and to join other students and our faculty in exploring physics and participating in research projects that open new doors.
   All of our students in physics are far above average, and many make the tremendous effort to achieve in ways that are notable.  We are indeed privileged to be able to recognize some of these achievements with scholarships and awards.  It is gratifying to acknowledge our students for their accomplishments and to see the pleasure that their classmates have in celebrating their recognition.
   We all enjoy hearing of the trials, tribulations, successes and celebrations during our student days.  If you have a particularly memorable moment of your days studying physics, please send me a note with your story or perhaps a story of a classmate.  (Robert.Nemanich@asu.edu).
   For some of us there is the possibly of helping to recognize our tremendous students.  We have several opportunities to put your generosity to good use to the benefit of our students.  I hope that you will consider this invitation. 
   You can find more information how you can support ASU Physics students at our website - http://physics.asu.edu/alumni/welcome.php. Or I encourage you to call Margaret (Peg) Stuart or me with your questions or comments.  Any contribution makes a difference. I think you will enjoy supporting the dedicated students of ASU Physics, and I know they will appreciate your recognition and involvement.

Sincerely,

We welcome all your PHYSICS FLASH comments, ideas, suggestions, and/or submissions. Please email them to Margaret Stuart at margaret.stuart@asu.edu.