Elections

Candidate for Chair-Elect:

Candidates for Members at Large:

NYSS Election Bios

Bio Sketches for Spring 2019 Election of the NYSS-APS Executive Board

Samuel Amanuel

Associate Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Union College, 807 Union Street, Schenectady, NY 12308

Education

- B.S., Physics, Addis Ababa University, 1992
- M.S., Physics, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, 1997
- Ph.D., Engineering Science, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, 2004

Research and Teaching Interest

- First order phase transition of nanomaterials
- Reinforcement of polymer nanocomposites
- Heat capacity of thermal fluids
- The science behind the art of roasting coffee beans

Relevant Experience

- CSURM Fellowship, Carl Storm Underrepresented Minority Fellowship, Gordon Research Conference, August 2011
- Executive committee member, New York State Section APS Meeting, 2015 – 2018
- Chair, New York State Section APS Meeting, “Gravitational Waves”, Union College, November 10-11, 2017. This was a joint meeting with Astronomical Society of New York.
- Chair, New York State Section APS Meeting, “Modern Nuclear Applications: Medicine, Power, and Non-proliferation”, Union College, April 23-24, 2010. This was a joint meeting with the New England Section.
- Posse Faculty Mentor, Union College, 2017-2022
- Session Chair, APS March Meeting, “Focus Session: Translocation through Nanopores-Novel Devices and Computational Approaches”, Boston, MA, February 28, 2012.

Statement

NYSSAPS provides much needed awareness to the general public and I am glad that I have been a member of the executive committee for the last few years. I have served in a subcommittee that awards student financial support which has enabled several of them to attend in the biannual meetings. Over the last eight years, Union College has hosted two of these topical meetings and the meetings have been well received. I have co-chaired these meetings and I am particularly pleased since both of these meetings were joint meetings with either New England Section or Astronomical Society of New York. I am running for the chair-elect to continue promoting awareness of science and continue supporting students to actively participate in the biannual meetings of NYSSAPS. I believe I am in a unique position to carry the legacy of my colleagues from Union College who have had a longstanding commitment to NYSSAPS since its inception.

Douglas Armstead

No contact or bio sketch yet.

Christopher Bass

Assistant Professor, Le Moyne College, Syracuse, NY 13214

Education

- B.S. (Physics), Indiana University, 1999
- M.S. (Physics), Indiana University, 2001
- Ph.D. (Physics), Indiana University, 2008

Research/Teaching Interests

- Development of fast neutron spectrometry in support of experimental searches performed in low-background laboratories, such as for neutrinoless double beta decay or direct detection of dark matter.
- Precision neutrino oscillation measurements as a test of the Standard Model of Particle Physics and searches for physics beyond the standard model (e.g. sterile neutrinos).
- Development of undergraduate research experiences, particularly in support of traditionally under-represented groups within physics.

Relevant Experience

- Staff scientist at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, Newport News, VA
- NRC Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the NIST Center for Neutron Research, Gaithersburg, MD
- Professional Memberships and Societies: American Physical Society (APS); American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT); Advanced Laboratory Physics Association (ALPhA); Neutron Scattering Society of America (NSSA); Sigma Xi – Scientific Research Honor Society; Sigma Pi Sigma – Physics Honor Society
- Service & Committee Work at Le Moyne College: Advisory Board Member for the Office of Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity; Core Curriculum Committee; Radiation Safety Committee; Radiation Safety Officer; Chemical Hygiene Committee.

Statement

The NYS section of the APS is dedicated to promoting the advancement and diffusion of the knowledge of physics. We provide opportunities for our members to meet and discuss topics in physics during our semiannual symposia, and we support outreach projects that increase public understanding and appreciation of physics, particularly for K-12 students. For instance, we actively support student attendance at our meetings and encourage them to present their research to the wider physics community.

I believe I can contribute as a member-at-large on the executive committee to further these goals, using my experiences as an educator at a small, liberal arts college and as a working scientist at two national laboratories. I look forward to addressing issues such as increasing interest in physics within traditionally under-represented groups, increasing awareness of physics education research among educators (both at the pre-college and college-level), increasing membership within the NYSS-APS, supporting outreach programs, and exploring alternate career paths in physics for students in the private sector.

Pratik Dholabhai

Assistant Professor, School of Physics and Astronomy, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY 14623

Education

- B.S. (Physics) The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, India, 2000
- M.S. (Nuclear Physics) The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, India, 2002
- M.S. (Physics) University of Texas at Arlington, 2005
- Ph.D. (Physics and Applied Physics) University of Texas at Arlington, 2008

Research/Teaching Interests

- Computational design of nanostructured materials for energy applications such as fuel cells, nuclear energy, catalysis, batteries, solar cells, etc.
- Courses focused on computational material design that cover the fundamental aspects of atomistic simulation methods to study and design renewable energy materials.
- K-12 outreach by offering early exposure to environmentally friendly renewable energy technologies.

Relevant Experience

- Member APS, MRS, and TMS
- Session Chair for TMS 2019 148th Annual Meeting and Exhibition
- Session Chair for TMS 2014 143rd Annual Meeting and Exhibition
- Session Chair for Texas section of APS joint meeting Fall 2006

Statement

My research primarily involves the study and design of nanostructured materials for renewable energy applications. In NY, a broad community of researchers within physics and materials science focus their research efforts on various renewable energy technologies. One of my goals is to organize symposium at NYS APS meetings that will bring together these interdisciplinary researchers, and offer them an appropriate platform to showcase their research. Undergraduate and graduate students will be strongly encouraged to present their research. In addition, I would like to invite K-12 students to attend such symposium as presenters or as audience. I believe that students exposed to advanced research and technology early on are more likely to pursue graduate studies and career routes in similar areas. Thus, a key objective behind this symposium will be to motivate interested students to pursue further studies in STEM fields targeting renewable energy research or join the future workforce within the renewable energy sector. As reducing our carbon footprint is imperative, if elected to the NYS APS Executive Committee, I will push for research and exhibition of renewable energy technologies at biannual meetings and promote collaboration between researchers in this area.

Susie DiFranzo

Associate Professor, Hudson Valley Community College, Troy, NY 12180

Education

- B.S. Physics, California State University, Bakersfield, 1993
- M.S. Physics (Condensed Matter Theory), Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst., 1996
- Ph.D. Physics (Quantum Theory), University at Albany (SUNY), 2018

Research/Teaching Interests

- Entropic Quantum Dynamics
- Instruction in quantum mechanics at the undergraduate level
- Undergraduate research

Relevant Experience

- Instrumental in establishing a physics degree program at HVCC
- Judge, Capital District Science & Engineering Fair (Intel)
- Leadership position with AP Physics Exam Reading (ETS)
- Professional memberships: APS and NYSSAPS
- multiple committees at HVCC
- presently in the planning stage to start a Women in STEM club on campus
- presently nominated for SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching

Statement

I have spent the last several years completing my PhD while carrying a double teaching load. As a result, it has been a few years since I have attended a NYSS APS meeting. Previously, though, I attended many of the meetings and greatly enjoyed them. Now that I have more time, I’ve been considering ways to contribute usefully in the field and I feel that participation in the NYSS APS Executive Board would fill that role wonderfully.

Physics education is particularly important to me. I’m pleased to hear about the emphasis on student research promoted by the NYSS APS and am interested in being more involved in that aspect of the organization.

Gen Long

Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, St John’s University, Jamaica, NY 11439

Education

- B.S. Physics, Shandong University, 2006
- Ph.D. Physics, University at Buffalo, 2013

Research/Teaching Interests

- Nanomaterial synthesis and characterization and device applications
- New teaching pedagogy for active learning

Relevant Experience

- APS NYSS Outreach Grant, 2017-2018
- Member of Committee of History and Philosophy of the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT)
- Professional Memberships: APS, AAPT, MRS
- Integration engineer, Global Foundries, Malta, NY 12020
- Mentoring undergraduate students

Statement

Physics is such a fundamental and important subject to our society. The responsibilities of promoting physics to the general public, educating the students, training the next generation workforce, and creating positive impacts to the community fall upon us---educators in the universities, colleges, and K-12 schools. I’ve been an APS member since I was a graduate student. More than a decade later, now working as assistant professor at St John’s University, I still consider APS and its meetings as a great venue to meet fellow physicists, present research and exchange ideas. I would like to run for the position of a member-at -large in the executive committee of APS-NYSS. Being from NYC metropolitan area, I understand the great impact and potential physics education could have in this area. I would really appreciate the opportunity to get involved in APS-NYSS. If elected, look forward to working with colleagues across NYS on various services such as organizing symposia, outreach programs, etc.

Erica Snow Simoson

Associate Professor, Physics Department, SUNY Fredonia, Fredonia, NY 14063, Erica.simoson@fredonia.edu

Education

- B.S. (Physics) Grove City College, 2001
- M.S. (Physics) Colorado State University, 2003
- Ph.D. (Physics) Colorado State University, 2006

Research/Teaching Interests

- Experimental atomic/molecular physics
- Laser and microwave spectroscopy of Rydberg states
- Undergraduate research
- Teaching conceptual physics to any level students

Relevant Experience

- NYSS APS Committee Member (2009-2018)
- Member of APS, AAPT, and OSA
- Involved in undergraduate experimental physics research
- Teaching experience ranging from algebra-based physics to 400-level courses

Statement

I believe that the semiannual meetings provided by the APS-NYSS are important to several aspects within the physics community. We need to continually promote the work being done by our colleagues and more importantly the contributions and involvement of the students. Exposing students and the general public to a variety of research in all fields and careers in physics is vital for recruitment, retention, and development of the next generation of scientists. An emphasis should also be placed on the current state of science education and public awareness of the sciences.

Rajesh Vaddi

Research Scientist ǀ Thin Films & Surfaces ǀ Corning Incorporated, NY ǀ 607-974-9409 (O) ǀ vaddir@corning.com

Education

- Ph.D. Material Science and Engineering, SUNY Binghamton
- M.S, Electrical Engineering, SUNY Binghamton
- B.E, Electronics and Communications, Andhra University, India

Professional Interests

- My main research interests are focused on identifying the new role for glass substrates or panels in semiconductor industry.
- Growth optimization of thin film materials on glass substrates used for sensors and emerging display applications.
- Flexible electronics.

Relevant Experience

- Thin film materials and fabrication, Flexible Electronics.
- Teaching Assistant for undergraduate physics and nanofabrication Lab (2012-2014).
- Vice-president, The Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers, (www.iete.org), student’s forum at Andhra University, India (2006-2007).
- Regular Member in American Physical Society (APS) and Material Research Society (MRS).

Statement

I gave a talk in APS Conference 2012, since then I am always gratified to be the part of this professional society with innovative and emerging ideas in nexus with current and future technology. As I am early in my industry career, I want to look at the links between different fields of physics and establish a new paradigm by collaboration with experts. I take a great pride in sharing my knowledge and industrial trends for future technology and push the boundaries of discovery and research by engaging with students and faculty. Corning hosts K12 students as interns every year and I believe, I can contribute more as executive member to implant new ideas in students and explore them to early career opportunities. Finally, thank you for giving me this opportunity and looking forward to serving NYSS-APS.