2008 Candidates for SPS Zone Councilor
Running for SPS Zone Councilor of Zone 1
Christine Broadbridge
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:
Dr. Broadbridge received M. S. and Ph. D. degrees from Brown University where she conducted research in the fields of materials science, semiconductor electronics and solid-state physics. She has expertise in the areas of surface science as well as electron microscopy. While at Trinity College in Hartford, she established a materials processing and characterization facility. She also founded and directed the United Technologies/Trinity College Engineering Initiative (UTCEI), a program designed to enhance the representation of women and underrepresented minorities in engineering and science. In January of 1998, she was appointed Visiting Fellow at Yale University and in September of 2000 she joined the Physics faculty at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) also in New Haven. Dr. Broadbridge has established a NanoCharacterization Facility at SCSU that is used for both undergraduate and graduate level research, education and outreach. She is the Education Director for a National Science Foundation (NSF) Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) at Yale University. Her continued participation in education and outreach efforts are facilitated by her many contacts in academia, industry and in urban school districts.
STATEMENT:
I will work toward strengthening communication and collaboration between Chapters in the Zone. I will also work with the Associate Zone Councilor to reach out to Chapters providing them with information about the many worthwhile opportunities offered by SPS National.
Running for SPS Zone Councilor of Zone 3
Romulo Ochoa
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:
Romulo Ochoa is a professor of physics at the College of New Jersey (TCNJ). He has been the advisor to the local SPS chapter, first in 1993-1998, and again since 2004. His research interests are in applying optical spectroscopy techniques to the study of semiconductors and nanoclusters, molecular dynamics simulations of fracture in amorphous silica, and development of experiments for introductory and upper level physics courses. He is committed to involving undergraduates in research. Of the over twenty refereed articles he has published in various journals, seven included undergraduates as coauthors. Dozens more physics majors have conducted research under his supervision.
STATEMENT:
In collaboration with Drew University’s SPS chapter he organized a very successful Zone 3 Meeting, with over 60 student participants (spring of 2005). TCNJ’s SPS chapter is very active, it organizes plenty of local activities and has participated in Zone and AAPT meetings. Romulo is running for Zone Councilor to promote Zone activities and increase communication among SPS chapters. He recognizes that a good foundation has been provided by previous Zone Councilors and building upon it is a great challenge. TCNJ’s centralized location will help him in visiting other chapters and when helping organize Zone meetings. He will also promote strong participation of SPS chapters in professional meetings.
Running for SPS Zone Councilor of Zone 3
Paul V. Quinn Sr.
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:
I was born in 1974 and grew up in Chester N.Y. I attended Drew University where I was a double major in Physics and Mathematics. As an undergraduate, I completed an Honors Thesis in Physics. I went to graduate school at Lehigh University, where I received my Masters and Ph.D. in Physics. My area of research is in Statistical Mechanics and Granular Materials. After I graduated from Lehigh, I had the pleasure of teaching for a year at Drew University as a Visiting Professor. Then I was hired in a tenure track position as an Assistant Professor of Physics at Kutztown University. I am still currently at Kutztown University where I have recently received tenure and been promoted to an Associate Professor.
STATEMENT:
I was responsible for resurrecting an essentially dead chapter of SPS at Kutztown University when I was first hired. I think that SPS is important in the lives of all physics majors that choose to participate. It creates a fellowship among the physics majors that is very important in teaching them cooperation and communication with each other. I think that communication between physicists or any group of scientists is extremely important in today's society. As a Zone Councilor, I would like to help bridge gaps of communication between the local chapters in our zone. By getting to know each other better, we can learn from each others programs, creating a stronger organization.
Running for SPS Zone Councilor of Zone 4
Gregory A. Topasna
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:
Gregory A. Topasna
Ph.D. Phsics (VA Tech)
Associate Professor of Physics (VMI)
Current Zone 4 councilorSTATEMENT:
I would like to thank all the chapter advisors for their assistance during my tenure as the current zone four councilor. If elected I will continue my duties and uphold the traditions and responsibilities of a zone councilor of the Society of Physics Students. We have a few active chapters in our zone and I will continue to support them to the best of my abilities. A number of our chapters show little or no activity and I will offer my assistance to them and encourage them to be more active.
The Society of Physics Students offers the camaraderie and friendship of a group of individuals who are passionate about physics and learning, and as members of this group we should all try to be more involved in SPS activities in our chapter and our zone. Let us all avail ourselves of the opportunities that the SPS has to offer and become more active. After all, motion is what physics is all about.
Running for SPS Zone Councilor of Zone 9
Brian Schwartz
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:
Dr. Schwartz (B.S. Univ. of Dallas, '94; Ph.D. UW-Madison, '01) has taught at Carthage College since 2000. During this time he has helped grow the Carthage chapter of SPS into one of the largest and most active in our Zone, both in terms of research and outreach activities. Dr. Schwartz's academic interests range from nuclear physics and the interactions between matter and radiation to the history and philosophy behind the critical ideas of physics.
STATEMENT:
I have enjoyed very much my work with undergraduates both in and out of the Society of Physics Students. SPS offers an excellent venue for young physicists to broaden their base of experiences, share their work and research with peers, and to see themselves as part of a broader community, both socially and professionally.
What the leadership of SPS can do is continue to support efforts such as Zone meetings and outreach programs while fostering stronger connections with potential employers and helping our students make the transition to the "real world." At the same time, we must not be shy about reminding all of the great pleasure of being a physicist and the joy we get from learning more and more about our universe.
We also have an obligation to increase our efforts at the recruitment and retention of quality majors and minors. While we can show that a degree in physics is more than just a ticket to graduate school, we must also work to improve the "image" of physicists and commit ourselves to broadening the pool from which we draw new students.
Running for SPS Zone Councilor of Zone 9
Jerome J. Wilson
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:
I am completing my 19th year of teaching at UW-Platteville after getting my graduate degree in solid state physics from the University of Minnesota. During my 19 year tenure, I have been active in pushing the bounds of teaching pedagogy. I introduced cooperative learning at UW-Platteville shortly after my arrival, and now, as a result of my prompting, we are in the process of embarking on a combined lecture/lab teaching format in new and specially designed classrooms in a new building ready for occupancy in Spring 2009. I look forward to this upcoming new challenge.
STATEMENT:
I have enjoyed my years as SPS advisor at UW-Platteville. Through my encouragement, our SPS chapter has developed several outreach programs that serve a large portion of Southwest Wisconsin. These include: An annual "Physics is Phantastic Phunshop" for area 6th graders (This is an all day Saturday event on campus.). An annual presentation to area girl scouts (approximately 300 scouts) at a Technology Day on campus. A traveling physics show to area schools. I also created and administer a Wisconsin State recognized non-profit organization that exists to support many of our local SPS chapter's activities.
Because of our chapter's commitment to activities and service, we have received the Outstanding Chapter award for each one of the 10 years I have been advisor.
I would like to serve on the SPS National Council for a second 3-year term because I think I have a lot to contribute to the national SPS discussions due to my local successes.
Running for SPS Zone Councilor of Zone 13
Toni Sauncy
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:
Toni Sauncy is currently an associate professor of physics at Angelo State University, where she focuses her efforts on teaching and undergraduate research training. She has been the SPS Chapter Advisor at Angelo State since 2001, and was the SPS Chapter advisor at Western Illinois University for two years before coming to San Angelo. She did her doctoral work at Texas Tech University and has been an active part of the Texas Sections of APS and AAPT, and Zone 13 SPS since she was a student at Texas Tech. Dr. Sauncy has received many awards for her commitment to students and her community.
STATEMENT:
I have enjoyed working with students at Angelo State to see the chapter grow and evolve into the very active group that it is today. I have been involved with SPS since I was a graduate student at Texas Tech University, and I am very proud to have served as the Zone Councilor for Zone 13 for the past three years. I am especially excited about the work that I have been privileged to be part of as a member of the National Council sub committee on under represented groups. I hope to continue this work if re-elected as the Zone 13 Councilor. I hope that I can continue to try and get more students from across our state involved in SPS activities, whether it be in attending zone meetings, hosting events at their own campuses, or applying for SPS funding in the form of scholarships, rewards for outreach, or recognition for service projects. I strongly believe the sense of community that many students find with SPS can be life changing for everyone involved.
Running for SPS Zone Councilor of Zone 14
Rudy Michalek
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:
Rudy Michalek has worked as a physicist in three countries (USA, UK, Germany) at universities and at national science centers. He specialized in experimental condensed matter physics (spectroscopy) and is now focusing on teaching physics at the undergraduate and graduate level.
STATEMENT:
Young physicists often bring great interest and enthusiasm to their studies but are not all that sure what a physicist will actually do at work once he or she has obtained the degree.
I see SPS as an ideal tool to fill that gap. We should regularly organize local and regional conferences, invite speakers, or do field trips with SPS to see the variety of jobs which physicists fill in industry, administration, and research.
SPS is also serving to make contact between young physicists and academic institutions which will hopefully lead to collaborations, internships, summer jobs, or simply to get to know other physicists and their work.
Finally, in Wyoming we have utilized SPS to show our students aspects of physics which they do usually not see in their undergraduate courses.
Running for SPS Zone Councilor of Zone 14
Chad A. Middleton
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:
Chad A. Middleton is currently an Assistant Professor of Physics at Mesa State College and the Faculty Advisor for the MSC's chapter of the Society of Physics Students. He received his PhD from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2005 and held a one year teaching position at Rhodes College in Memphis, TN before coming to MSC.
STATEMENT:
If elected to the position of Zone Councilor, I plan to build relations between the various chapters of SPS within Zone 14. In addition, I'd like to see our zone hold annual meetings on a regular basis and will do what is necessary to make this happen.