Congratulations to Dr. Andrew McCubbin for successfully defending his PhD thesis this week! Committee: Professors Greg Howes, Jasper Halekas, Craig Kletzing, Frederick Skiff, and Sarah Vigmostad Thesis Title: A STUDY OF COLLISIONLESS PARTICLE ENERGIZATION IN CURRENT SHEETS: ROLES OF TURBULENCE AND MAGNETIC RECONNECTION

Several students in the Department of Physics and Astronomy were candidates for degrees at Fall Commencement ceremonies Dec. 17-18. 

Prof. Phil Kaaret is quoted in a Science magazine article about NASA's IXPE mission, which could reveal the magnetic engines of stellar remnants and the mechanics of black hole jets by measuring polarized light.

George Hospodarsky presented 6 sessions at the STEAM Institute for 7th graders on Nov 24, 2021 at the Kirkwood Regional Center at The University of Iowa, 2301 Oakdale Boulevard, Coralville, IA.

Andrew Carton grew up Earlville, Iowa, never dreaming he would be involved in space research. But through his academic experiences at Iowa, he is now an electrical design engineer working with NASA to help develop space-faring scientific instruments on the TRACERS project.

Graduate student, Tyler Grover, successfully defended his Master's thesis and passed his PhD Comprehensive Exam on Friday, November 19th. Tyler will receive his Master's in Physics degree this December, while continuing on in the PhD program.

Congratulations to graduate student, Joe Sink on passing his PhD comprehensive exam on November 11, 2021. Joe will also receive his Master's degree in Physics in December, 2021.  His committee members are Professors Craig Pryor (advisor), Michael Flatte, Thomas Folland, Yannick Meurice, and David Andersen. 

In this CBS 2 story, Associate Professor Casey DeRoo discusses the Russian anti-satellite test and the impact it could have to projects he and other researchers at UI are working on.

Nine Physics and Astronomy students presented posters at the Fall Undergraduate Research Festival (FURF) Nov. 10 at the University Capitol Centre. Zachary Vig and Hank Hammer won $100 prizes in the Department poster contest.

Recent University of Iowa graduates Andrew Carton and Ryan Helland grew up in small communities in Iowa never dreaming they’d be involved in space research. But through their academic experiences at Iowa, they both secured jobs with a landmark NASA mission.