Jordan A. Goodman Professor and Chair Department of Physics

From the Physics Chair

By Jordan A. Goodman
Professor and Chair

Dear Colleagues,

Welcome back to another exciting academic year here at the University of Maryland Department of Physics. We're starting the Fall 2005 semester after a summer filled with accomplishments that continue our efforts to push our department forward.

Over the last few months, many of the department's students and faculty have earned recognition for their hard work – from thesis awards and fellowships to awards for teaching and research. Notably, two of our Distinguished University Professors have been recognized by prestigious organizations for their outstanding career contributions. Dr. Michael Fisher received this year's Royal Medal from the United Kingdom 's national academy of science and Dr. Ellen Williams was elected to the US National Academy of Science – both well-earned honors. In addition, the National Science Foundation recognized Dr. Edward Redish with this year's Award for Distinguished Teaching Scholars and the American Physical Society granted Dr. Howard Milchberg the Award for Excellence in Plasma Physics Research.

We are also strengthening our department by bringing in new faculty to fortify our existing research programs and expand our reach into promising new areas of physics. This semester, I am very pleased to welcome Professor Alessandra Buonanno, a great new addition to our gravitation theory group. The department also recently hired Professors Arthur LaPorta and Arpita Upadhyaya, talented young professors and great new assets to our emerging biophysics program, who will be joining us in the Spring 2006 and Fall 2006 semesters, respectively.

In addition, the Department is very pleased to welcome two new adjunct faculty – Dr. Steven Ritz from NASA's Goodard Space Flight Center and Dr. Robert Tycko from the National Institutes of Health. Adjunct appointments are very important to us because they provide our students with opportunities to work with top scientists at prestigious national laboratories located in our area, just as affiliate appointments give our students interdisciplinary educational opportunities working with top scientists in other fine departments across campus.

Looking toward the 2005-06 year, we have as much to look forward to as we do to look back on. The new classes of undergraduate and graduate students are both filled with promise and our research groups are engaged in exciting discovery. As we continue to search for world-class scientists to strengthen our faculty, we are also celebrating the success of our existing stars with the Distinguished Scholar-Teacher lectures of Professors Thomas Cohen and Howard Milchberg.

Again, I give my heartiest welcome and welcome back to you. I wish you all a productive and rewarding year. As always, should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 301-405-5946 or goodman@icecube.umd.edu.

Sincerely,

Jordan A. Goodman
Professor and Chair