National Society of Black Physicists Releases RSS Feed

South African S&T Minister to visit US, Speak at NSBP conference

noemail@nsbp.org — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 09:00:00 GMT

The South African Minister of Science and Technology, Mrs. Naledi Pandor, will be visiting the United States next week, and will be the opening keynote speaker at the annual conference of the National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP) on Thursday, September 22 in Austin, TX. Receiving Minister Pandor is a special honor for NSBP, says Charles McGruder, chair of NSBP's international affairs committee and a past-president of the organization. It is a culmination of many years of NSBP's international collaborations; from the Edward Bouchet Abdus Salam Insitute, to our involvement with physics and astronomy programs throughout the African continent, and especially our role in helping establish the African Astronomical Society and the African Physical Society. Mrs. Pandor was appointed Minister of Science and Technology in May 2009. During her tenure South Africa has invested heavily in science and technology, including the SKA/MeerKAT telescope projects, as...

NSBP Member Amongst First Females Chosen for Submarine Duty

noemail@nsbp.org — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 21:00:00 GMT

NSBP Member Amongst First Females Chosen for Submarine Duty
Lisa Brodsky graduated magna cum laude from Hampton University's physics program and earns a selection to the Navy's nuclear power program for service on submarines.

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Hampton University Physics Graduate Excels in Career in the Navy

noemail@nsbp.org — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 21:00:00 GMT

Hampton University Physics Graduate Excels in Career in the Navy.
Captain Samuel Norton has been able to apply his knowledge of physics at almost every step of his naval career. He was with one of the first ships to deploy to Haiti offering humanitarian assistance.

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President and Mrs. Obama to Host White House Star Party

noemail@nsbp.org — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 07:00:00 GMT

On Wednesday October 7th, the President will award the National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation in a ceremony at the White House.

In the evening, the President and First Lady will host an event at the White House for middle-school students to highlight the President's commitment to science, engineering and math education as the foundation of this nation's global technological and economic leadership and to express his support for astronomy in particular - for its capacity to promote a greater awareness of our place in the universe, expand human knowledge, and inspire the next generation by showing them the beauty and mysteries of the night sky.

President Obama will kick-off the event with a brief address that will be streamed live on the whitehouse.gov website (estimated beginning at 8 pm EDT).

The program at the White House includes more than 20 telescopes set up on the White House lawn focused on Jupiter, the Moon and select stars; interactive dome presentations, and hands on activities including scale models of the Solar System, impact cratering, and investigating meteorites and Moon rocks.

Professor Jim Gates Sworn In as a Member of the Maryland State Board of Education

noemail@nsbp.org — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:00:00 GMT

Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley administered the oath of office to Dr. Sylvester (Jiim) Gates for a seat on the Maryland State Board of Education.

Governor O'Malley had nominated Professor Gates to the board back in March 2009 when he remaked, “I am especially proud to make a number of appointments to fill key leadership positions on our State Board of Education, the University System Board of Regents and the Community Colleges Boards of Trustees to continue the progress we have made in building the No. 1 ranked school system in America, and making college more affordable for our families.”

Professor Gates was also recently appointed by President Obama to the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST). PCAST is council of leading scientists and engineers that advise and help formulate policy for the President and Vice President in the many areas where understanding of science, technology, and innovation is important.

The Maryland State Board of Education is a 12-member body appointed by the Governor. Members bring to their task a wide range of professional and civic experiences. Members serve staggered four-year terms and may serve two full terms.

Dr. Gates is a noted theoretical physicist. He has been featured on NOVA PBS programs on physics, most notably “The Elegant Universe” in 2003. He is currently the John S. Toll Professor of Physics at the University of Maryland, College Park. Dr. Gates received both his Bachelor of Science and PhD degrees from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His doctoral thesis was the first thesis at MIT to deal with supersymmetry, and is known for his work on supersymmetry, supergravity, and superstring theory. He was President of the National Society of Black Physicists from 1993-1995.

NSBP Members Participate in SciFest Africa

noemail@nsbp.org — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 17:00:00 GMT

NSBP members, Charles McGruder and Hakeem Oluseyi, are participating in SciFest Africa this week as special representatives of the United States.

Held annually in late March as South Africa's national science festival, SciFest Africa is a fun-filled event specially styled to make science, technology, engineering and mathematics accessible to and of interest to every-day people. Each year SciFest Africa offers over 550 events and activities, including exhibitions, educational theatre, lectures, hands-on workshops, excursions, a soap box derby, laser-shows, quizzes, Science Olympics,and whiz-bang science shows. It is the biggest science festival in sub-Saharan Africa. The 2008 Festival was attended by no less than 58,000 people.

Dr. McGruder, a former president of NSBP, will be giving two public lectures, one on the STARBASE project and another on the search for extra-solar planets. In a separate event Dr. Oluseyi will be lecturing on how dark matter and dark energy help explain the motion of galaxies.

Dr. McGruder is the director of NSBP's program to build capacity in astronomy in Southern Africa. While in South Africa he will also be meeting will government officials about South Africa's bid for the SKA telescope. Dr. Oluseyi has been a faculty member in NSBP's program, having taught classes in astrophysics in the National Astrophysics and Space Science Program at the University of Cape Town. Their participation in SciFest Africa is sponsored by the US State Department's Bureau of International Information Programs.

Governor Nominates Former NSBP President to the State Board of Education

noemail@nsbp.org — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 16:00:00 GMT

Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley has nominated Dr. Sylvester (Jiim) Gates for a seat on the Maryland State Board of Education. In making these appointment Governor O'Malley remarked, I am especially proud to make a number of appointments to fill key leadership positions on our State Board of Education, the University System Board of Regents and the Community Colleges Boards of Trustees to continue the progress we have made in building the No. 1 ranked school system in America, and making college more affordable for our families. Getting our members in position to take on key public policy positions like this one has been a key initiative of the National Society of Black Physicists, says Dr. Charles McGruder, who was the president of the organization when the initiative started. Jim Gates was the first chair of NSBP's Public Policy Committee. Since the initiative began several years ago NSBP has conducted several policy briefings on Capitol Hill and at its annual conference. ...

Secretary of the Navy, Dr. Donald C. Winter, to be keynote speaker at conference of Black and Hispanic Physicists

noemail@nsbp.org — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 09:00:00 GMT

Secretary of the Navy, Dr. Donald C. Winter, will be the Friday luncheon speaker at the 2008 Joint Annual Conference of the National Society of Black Physicists and the National Society of Hispanic Physicists on Friday, February 22, 2008. Dr. Winter is the 74th Secretary of the Navy, sworn into office on Jan. 3, 2006. As Secretary of the Navy, he leads America's Navy and Marine Corps Team and is responsible for an annual budget in excess of $125 billion and almost 900,000 people. Prior to becoming Secretary of the Navy, Dr. Winter served as a corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman's Mission Systems sector. In that position he oversaw operation of the business and its 18,000 employees, providing information technology systems and services; systems engineering and analysis; systems development and integration; scientific, engineering, and technical services; and enterprise management services. Dr. Winter also served on the company's corporate policy council. ...

FAMU Physicists Discover Nanoscale Turbulence

noemail@nsbp.org — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 22:00:00 GMT

TALLAHASSEE—Florida A&M University’s (FAMU’s) distinguished professor of science and engineering, Dr. Joseph A. Johnson, III, along with Dr. Stephen Roberson (FAMU doctorate, Fall 2006), and Dr. Charlemagne Akpovo of FAMU have found first evidence of turbulent behavior in ionized gases which have a lifetime of less than 100 nanoseconds. (A nanosecond is one thousandth of one millionth of one second.) Laser induced plasmas in Nitrogen, Argon, Xenon, Neon and Krypton were studied using measuring speeds at rates in excess of 10 x109 per second. Turbulent flow fluctuations which influence mixing on such short time scales will cause dramatic changes in applications such as ion implantation in semiconductors. Such fluctuations will drastically change the reaction dynamics in the synthesis of new nano-materials. Furthermore, computations and modeling for the molecular dynamics in nanotechnology must now include new physics driven by turbulence in order to correctly predict the manufacturing...

NOBEL LAUREATE JOHN C. MATHER TO DELIVER KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT NSBP/NSHP CONFERENCE

noemail@nsbp.org — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 07:00:00 GMT

NASA scientist Dr. John C. Mather will be the dinner keynote speaker at the 2008 Joint Annual Conference of the National Society of Black Physicists and the National Society of Hispanic Physicists on Thursday, February 21. The event will be at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. Dr. Mather is a Senior Astrophysicist in the Observational Cosmology Laboratory at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. His research centers on infrared astronomy and cosmology. In 2006 Mather was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics, along with George Smoot, for ...of the black body form and anisotropy of the cosmic microwave background radiation. Work on the Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) began in 1974 at NASA Goddard. It was launched in 1989 to measure microwave and infrared light from the early universe. COBE determined that the cosmic microwave background, which is essentially the afterglow of the Big Bang, has a temperature of 2.725 +/- 0.002 Kelvin, or about minus 455 degrees Fahrenheit. This...

PROFESSOR ABOUBAKER BEYE, CEO OF THE AFRICAN LASER CENTRE, TO DELIVER KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT NSBP/NSHP CONFERENCE

noemail@nsbp.org — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 06:00:00 GMT

Dr. Aboubaker Beye, the new CEO of the African Laser Centre, will give the keynote address at the opening luncheon of the 2008 Joint Annual Conference of the National Society of Black Physicists and the National Society of Hispanic Physicists on Thursday, February 21, 2008.

Dr. Beye is a Professor of Physics and Director of the Solid State Physics and Materials Science Group at the University of Cheikh Ante’Diop in Dakar, Senegal. He just completed a term as Associate Dean for Education and Research. He is also affiliated with the US-Africa Materials Institute at Princeton University, and the International Centre for Theoretical Physics in Trieste, Italy.

Dr. Beye is the Chairman of the Implementation Committee for African Association for Teacher Education, General Secretary of the Global Federation of Associations for Teacher Education, Vice Chairman of the NanoAFNET, an African Network on Nanoscience, and Founding Chairman and member of the board of directors of the African Materials Research Society.

He was elected CEO of the African Laser Centre (ALC) in March 2007. The ALC is a network of facilities organized as a virtual center of excellence focusing on laser research in Africa. It was established in 2002 to provide a platform through which Africa can pool its resources to become globally competitive. The ALC is an open, non-exclusive partnership aimed at stimulating innovative research and technology development in the field of lasers and laser applications. The ALC enables scientists and engineers from all African nations, as well as Europe, Asia and the Americas, to collaborate with each other and play a major role internationally in utilizing light to advance science and technology.

Dr. Beye is a graduate of Université de Montpellier in France. His scientific research interests include surface plasmon resonance, optoelectronic effects and nano-fabrication techniques. He is a recognized expert on technology transfer, multi-national cooperation in science and economic development.

NSBP RECEIVES KELLOGG FOUNDATION GRANT

noemail@nsbp.org — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

For information, contact Charles McGruder at (270) 745-4357. ARLINGTON, Va. – The National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP) has received a six-year, $350,000 grant from the William K. Kellogg Foundation to help South Africa increase its number of Black astronomers. Dr. Charles McGruder, NSBP president from 1999-2001 and the William McCormack Professor in Physics at Western Kentucky University (WKU), has long been focusing on capacity building in astronomy on the African continent. This is especially important in South Africa where there has been recently been large investments in telescopes. South Africa occupies a unique geographical position relative to locations of most of the telescopes in the world. Recognizing this strategic advantage, the South African government has decided to invest heavily in astronomy/astrophysics by building the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), the largest single optical telescope in the southern hemisphere. Other nations, most notably...

NSBP Member Richard Robinson Develops Novel Nanosynthesis Method

noemail@nsbp.org — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 05:00:00 GMT

BERKELEY, CA — Superlatticed or “striped nanorods – crystalline materials only a few molecules in thickness and made up of two or more semiconductors – are highly valued for their potential to serve in a variety of nanodevices, including transistors, biochemical sensors and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Until now the potential of superlatticed nanorods has been limited by the relatively expensive and exacting process required to make them. That paradigm may be shifting. A team of researchers, led by Rich Robinson and Paul Alivisatos with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) and the University of California (UC) at Berkeley, has found a way to make striped nanorods in a colloid – a suspension of particles in solution. Previously, striped nanorods were made through epitaxial processes, in which the rods were attached to or embedded within a solid medium, and grown layer by...

DR. BYRON K. FREELON IS THE RECIPIENT OF THE FIRST MOREHOUSE PHYSICS PRIZE

noemail@nsbp.org — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 20:00:00 GMT

(NSBP PRESS RELEASE) (ATLANTA) – (APRIL 6, 2007) Dr.Byron K. Freelon, a research scientist at the University of California-Berkeley, has won the first Morehouse Physics Prize. The National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP) established the Morehouse Physics Prize through a financial gift by Dr. and Mrs. Walter Massey. The Massey’s gift also enabled NSBP to establish the Elmer S.Imes Physics Scholarship. The Morehouse Physics Prize recognizes HBCU graduates who have shown considerable promise as physics researchers and teachers. Eligibility for this prize extends to anyone with an earned degree from an HBCU, an earned doctorate in physics, and who shows tremendous promise as a physics researcher. The prize includes a cash award and a travel grant to give a colloquium at Morehouse College. “These awards advance three of NSBP’s most important concepts - first,providing scholarship assistance to students who are majoring in physics, second, promoting the...

OSA and SPIE Co-Sponsor Best Poster Awards at Annual NSBP/NSHP Meeting

noemail@nsbp.org — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 16:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, March 15 -- Peter Delfyett (Univ. of Central Florida, CREOL) and Anthony Johnson (University of Maryland, Baltimore County) served as Best Poster Presentation judges on behalf of OSA and SPIE at the Joint Meeting of the National Society of Black Physicists and the National Society of Hispanic Physicists, February 21-25, 2007 in Boston. The following awards were presented at the Saturday evening banquet: Undergraduate (OSA) Poster; First Prize ($400 + student membership) -- Manisha L. Turner, Norfolk State University, Unveiling the Secrets of Archimedes. Undergraduate (OSA) Poster; Second Prize ($200 + student membership) -- Margaret S. Martei, Colby College, An Injection-Locked Diode Laser for Cold Rydberg Atom Experiments. Graduate (SPIE) Poster, First Prize ($400 + student membership) -- Valencia S. Johnson, Rutgers University, Polymer/Metal Sulfide Coated Hollow Waveguides for Delivery of Er:YAG Laser Radiation. Graduate (SPIE) Poster, Second Prize ($200 + student...

Peter Delfyett to Lead National Society of Black Physicists

noemail@nsbp.org — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 11:00:00 GMT

Figure SEQ Figure \* ARABIC 1. Picture Courtesy, UCF CREOL Peter Delfyett, a University of Central Florida professor of optics, physics and electrical and computer engineering, has been named president-elect of the National Society of Black Physicists. The society, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, promotes the professional development of African-American physicists within the international science community and in society. The organization also seeks to develop and support efforts to increase opportunities for African-Americans in physics and to increase the visibility of their scientific work. Delfyett will serve as the society’s president-elect for one year and then as president for two years. He was selected during the society’s annual conference Feb. 20 to 25 in Boston . Delfyett, who has taught at UCF for 13 years, holds a University Trustee Chair in the Center for Research and Education in...

CONFERENCE OF BLACK PHYSICISTS CELEBRATES 30TH YEAR OF THE NATIONAL SOCIETY OF BLACK PHYSICISTS

noemail@nsbp.org — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT

(BLACK PR WIRE) (BOSTON) – (February 21, 2007) The 2007 Joint Annual Conference of the National Society of Black Physicists and the National Society of Hispanic Physicists begins on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at the Boston Sheraton Hotel and John B. Hynes Convention Center. This year’s conference, themed Global Competitiveness Through Diversity, celebrates the 30th anniversary of the National Society of Black Physicists. The Joint Annual Conferences of the National Society of Black Physicists and National Society of Hispanic Physicists brings together over 500 African American and Hispanic American physics students and professionals. This conference has a cutting-edge scientific program as well as a student professional development program that includes mentor-protégé match-making and a recruiting fair. The scientific program includes over 120 oral...

Financial Gift by Dr. and Mrs. Walter Massey Establishes Morehouse Physics Prize and Elmer S. Imes Scholarship

noemail@nsbp.org — Sun, 01 Oct 2006 19:00:00 GMT

Through a financial gift by Dr. and Mrs. Walter Massey, the National Society of Black Physicists has established the Elmer S. Imes Physics Scholarship and the Morehouse Physics Prize. These awards advance three of NSBP's most important concepts - first, providing scholarship assistance to students who are majoring in physics, second, promoting the idea of capacity building at HBCU's, and recognizing the contribution of HBCU's to the vitality of the African American presence in physics and to physics scholarship in general, states Dr. Keith Jackson, President of the National Society of Black Physicists and a 1976 graduate of Morehouse College. Elmer Imes earned a Ph.D. degree in physics from the University of Michigan in 1918, becoming the second African American to earn a Ph.D. in physics. He served as Professor of Physics and Head of the Physics Department at Fisk University, from 1930 until his death in 1941. In 1918 Imes and Harrison Randall, a preeminent physics researcher at...