It Has Been a Year of Giant Leaps for Dr. Laura Pyrak-Nolte. Read About Her Accomplishments and an Example of Her Research Inside on Pages 8 and 9

INTERACTIONSTHE DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY WINTER 2021

It has been a year of giant leaps for Dr. Laura Pyrak-Nolte. Read about her accomplishments and an example of her research inside on pages 8 and 9. TABLE OF CONTENTS NOTE from the HEAD CONTENTS Greetings Boiler- McCoy Award, the highest honor in the sciences makers! Well, what a awarded by Purdue. Prof. Manfra was promoted difference a year makes. to a distinguished professor. Well done all 4 FACULTY AWARDS AND HONORS The last time I wrote and kudos to all the faculty as our re- you was at the end of search portfolio continues to grow. 2019. We had a nice As we enter a new year, and a vaccine 5 FACULTY PROMOTIONS, holiday season, and I is becoming available, I think I can see a AND MEMORIALS was on the road in early glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. 2020 visiting and touch- It is reasonable to assume that we ing base with some of will be back to normal by 2022 and 6-7 NEW FACULTY you. Then, BANG, the travel bans and group restrictions will pandemic kicks in and we all go into some form become but a memory. That will afford of lockdown. We had several events planned me the opportunity to meet more of 8-9 RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT: where we could meet and share our reflections, you at some of our scheduled events CHATTERING DUST the march APS meeting in CO and the April APS and on focused road trips. meeting in DC, but both meetings were canceled. As I sit here writing this the search They were 2 of the early casualties and I must for my replacement is in its last stages, and this 10-13 A GLIMPSE INTO OUR PAST admit I was shocked when news of the march APS could be the last time I write you as head. How- meeting being canceled was shared as it is the ever, these are never easy negotiations, and they largest society meeting we have in our business. can drag on for a long time. Therefore, I will not Well, needless to say, this has been a challenging sign off as if this is my last note as it may not 14-15 REFLECTIONS ON THE LIFE OF year for all of us in many ways. At Purdue we have be. If it is my last time writing you I cannot over GEORGE RUPEL WALZ managed to get through 2 semesters with stu- state how much it has been my pleasure to serve dents on-campus for the fall. It was a bumpy ride the department in this capacity. The highlight is but we got through it without any major hang-ups. always meeting with you, our alums, to hear your 16 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT Despite the pandemic we still managed to move stories and share with you the progress we are SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS the department forward and our faculty, postdocs making in the department. I have always been and students continue to be recognized for their impressed with the passion you all have dis- achievements. played for Purdue Physics and Astronomy. So, I 17 GRADUATE STUDENT Prof. Laura Pyrak-Nolte was the recipient of bid you adieu and hope to see you down the the Reginald Fessenden Award from the Society road. You may now imagine a picture of me SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS of Exploration Geophysicists, became a fellow of riding off into the sunset with music playing the American Geophysical Union, and was elect- softly in the background, or not. 18-19 FOLLOW ALONG ed a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Good year Laura! Chris Boiler Up! WITH PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY Greene was the winner of the Herbert Newby 20 2020 ALUMNI AWARDS

21 FROM THE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Department of Physics and Astronomy at Purdue University 22-23 THE SCIENCE OF PAINTING CATS Department Head: John P. Finley Physics and Astronomy Designer and Editor: Cheryl Pierce, [email protected] 24 RECOGNITION OF DONORS For a digital version, go to: physics.purdue.edu/interactions Contact Information: 25 DEGREE RECIPIENTS Department of Physics and Astronomy 525 Northwestern Ave. West Lafayette, IN 49707-2036 physics.purdue.edu n 765-494-3000 Interactions is an annual publication Photos included have been provided by either Purdue Marketing and Communications or from persons mentioned. EA/EOU

2 / WINTER 2021 INTERACTIONS WINTER 2021 INTERACTIONS / 3 FACULTY AWARDS AND HONORS FACULTY PROMOTIONS AND MEMORIALS FACULTY AWARDS AND HONORS FACULTY PROMOTIONS/PROFESSORSHIPS

Chris Greene Yulia Pushkar Michael Manfra Yulia Pushkar

u Herbert Newby u Showalter University u Distinguished Professor u Promoted to McCoy Award Faculty Scholars of Physics and Astronomy Full Professor

Kyoungsoo Lee Dan Milisavljevic Laura Pyrak-Nolte Tongcang Li u Promoted to u Outstanding u American Association for the u Promoted to Associate Professor Contributions to Advancement of Science fellow Associate Professor with tenure Undergraduate u American Geophysical Union 2020 fellow with tenure Teaching by an u Society’s Reginald Fessenden Award Assistant Professor, from the Society of Exploration Purdue University Geophysicists College of Science u National Academy of Engineering (NAE) Member

DEPARTMENT AWARDS FACULTY MEMORIALS

Jay Melosh - 9/11/2020 Yeong Kim - 6/25/2020 Paul Muzikar Tongcang Li Jay’s research career spanned five Yeong had a deep love of science and decades and his research interests physics. He was a professor of Physics u Ruth and Joel u Excellence in Graduate Advising were diverse and influential. His work at Purdue University for 47 years, group Spira Award, on the geophysics of impact processes leader of the Purdue Nuclear and Outstanding revolutionized understanding of not Many-Body Theory Group, and director Graduate Teaching only the impact processes themselves, of the Center for Sensing Science and but the important roles impacts have Technology at Purdue University. As played in the evolution of the solar a theoretical nuclear physicist, he system, Earth, and the development published over 200 technical articles. of life. David Nolte Sergio Rodriguez - 6/30/2020 Donald Duane Carmony - 1/14/2021 u Ruth and Joel Sergio joined the faculty of the Physics Donald Duane Carmony, accomplished Spira Award Department at Purdue University in scientist, naturalist and beloved family Outstanding 1961 and retired as Full Professor in member, passed away on Jan. 14 due Undergraduate Teaching 2000. He received many honors for his to Covid-19. He was 85. A research work in theoretical physics and pub- scientist in the field of particle physics, lished over 200 peer-reviewed articles Duane also taught and mentored many and several books. students in physics and engineering at Purdue University during his tenure on the faculty from 1966 to 2002. 4 / WINTER 2021 INTERACTIONS WINTER 2021 INTERACTIONS / 5

https://www.purdue.edu/uns/images/2017/nolte-d17.jpg 8/17/20, 9:29 PM Page 1 of 1 NEW FACULTY PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY DR. JUKKA VAYRYNEN WELCOMES NEW Fall 2020 new faculty member

FACULTY Dr. Jukka Vayrynen comes to the pilot. Purdue campus at West Lafayette “Although it’s been too many from a post-doc researcher po- years since the last time I was in sition at the Microsoft quantum the left seat,” says Vayrynen “per- group in Santa Barbara, California. haps I’ll get current again here at Vayrynen is interested in solving Purdue!” theoretical physics problems relat- Vayrynen received his PhD ed to developing future quantum from Yale University after doing devices, with a particular focus on his undergraduate studies in Fin- condensed matter physics ap- land (BSc University of Oulu, MSc proaches to quantum information University of Helsinki). The De- science. partment of Physics and Astron- When he isn’t busy solving the omy is excited that Vayrynen will DR. MIA LIU mysteries of physics, he enjoys be teaching the next generation of fishing and has been enjoying the Boilermakers. Fall 2020 new faculty member local fishing areas in the Greater Lafayette area. He is also a private Dr. Mia Liu brings with her a sub- “My research is focused on un- stantial catalog of works that will derstanding the fundamental parti- help unlock the mysteries of the cles and forces with colliders,” says universe. She will use her extensive Liu. “I use the data collected by the knowledge to teach physics and Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) DR. PAUL DUFFELL also further her investigative re- detector at the Large Hadron Collid- search at Purdue University. er (LHC) to search for the unknown Spring 2021 new faculty member “I am passionate about advancing particles such as those predicted our capabilities in studying na- in the supersymmetry theories, and ture’s secrets: I led the testing and stringently test the current theory: Dr. Paul Duffell is teaching PHYS/ Duffell received his BS in Physics commissioning of the forward pixel the Standard Model by measuring ASTR 562 — High Energy Astro- from the University of Washington detector Phase 1 upgrade, that is a very rare and challenging processes physics. in Seattle in 2001, then received ‘camera’ sitting at the ‘heart’ of the with multiple bosons. At Purdue I “My primary field of research is in his PhD in Physics from New York CMS detector providing the most will continue with these explora- computational fluid dynamics, with University in 2014. Between un- precise 3D measurements,” says Liu. tions, with a focus on novel ways to applications spanning a wide range dergraduate and graduate school “My current endeavor is to apply measure the Higgs potential.” of topics in astrophysics,” says Duffell says he took time off and machine learning techniques in our Liu obtained her undergraduate Duffell. “I have worked on planet worked a wide range of jobs, in- trigger and data acquisition sys- degree in China, then came to the formation, supernovae, gamma cluding a record store, a coffee tem, in order to unleash the physics United States for graduate school. ray bursts, black hole binaries and shop, and a pizza place. After his potential of the LHC/High-lumi LHC She obtained her PhD at Duke Uni- neutron star mergers. I am also PhD, he pursued a Postdoctoral d a t a .” versity in 2015. The Department of generally interested in fluid insta- Research Fellow at UC Berkeley In her persistent pursuit of the Physics and Astronomy is excited bilities.” from 2014-2018 and then a Post- secrets of nature, Liu has worked that Liu will be taking her next giant When Duffell isn’t busying him- doctoral Research Fellow at the with cutting edge technology that leap onto the West Lafayette cam- self with astrophysics and compu- Harvard Center for Astrophysics furthers modern physics. She has pus and looks forward to seeing her tational fluid dynamics, he enjoys from 2018-2020. worked with the Large Hadron Col- vision unfold. baking and creating stained glass 6 / WINTER 2021 INTERACTIONS lider for her recent research. windows. WINTER 2021 INTERACTIONS / 7 RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

Chattering dust allows scientists to see how fluids flow through rock

The modern energy economy and Dr. Laura Pyrak-Nolte of the Depart- study rock fractures. As the grains of more complex systems to be studied environmental infrastructure rely on ment of Physics and Astronomy at the dust dissolve in the liquid that is than is possible using X-ray or optical the flow of fluids through fractures in Purdue University along with a team carrying it, the pockets carrying the imaging. Currently, there are no other rock beneath the Earth’ surface where of scientists, including undergraduate compressed gas burst open and emit methods that can determine the flow it may be out of sight but never out of Alan Wright, and Dr. David Nolte, also acoustic signals. These signals can field lines in opaque materials such as mind. The human race relies on the from Physics and Astronomy, have be detected using ultrasonic sen- rock or the direction of flow through availability of fresh water to drink, the published an article in Nature Com- sors outside the fracture allowing the more complicated fracture networks power of fossil fuel to drive our ma- munications where they test “chatter- movement to be tracked throughout in rock cores or other geotechnical chines, and geothermal resources to ing dust” to chart the path of liquids the fracture systems. This dust is able laboratory samples.” heat and cool our homes. But finding as they flow through fractures. Chat- to be heard with sensors when visual what direction these fluids take under- tering dust? That’s right. This dust opportunities are not possible. Using this chattering dust has dis- ground is hard because the fractures “speaks” to the scientists and tells tinct advantages over other commonly they follow are invisible inside opaque them where the liquids are flowing. The speed of the “chatty” dust used practices. One common practice rock. Now, scientists at Purdue Uni- grains not only tells the scientists is to use chemical sensors, but these versity are applying a different sense This team of scientists applied about the map of the fracture flow chemical sensors must be collected than sight to the problem. What if, chattering dust, or chemically reactive paths, but also how quickly the liquid after the testing. With chattering dust, instead of seeing the flow of fluids, grains of sucrose containing pockets is flowing. This provides information there is no need to collect the dust they hear them? of pressurized carbon dioxide gas, to about the rock’s internal fracture after use because it simply dissolves geometry, and any bottlenecks that away to nothing. Another common may be present in the flow paths. With method uses passive tracers like dyes current fracture monitoring systems, that can only say whether two frac- these bottlenecks remain unseen and tures are connected. Chattering dust cost time and money. Therefore, the is preferable to these passive tracers chattering dust may create great sav- because it charts the actual transport ings in this modern energy economy path of the fluids to say how the frac- GIANT LEAPS while being kind to the environment. tures are connected. This year has marked giant leaps for Dr. Laura Pyrak-Nolte. In addition to get- Pyrak-Nolte states, “the next step for ting works published throughout the year, she was also elected as a 2020 Amer- “In the past, the dream for subsur- ican Geophysical Union (AGU) Fellow. The AGU Fellows program, established face characterization was the idea of us is to go bigger.” Their team believes in 1962, defines fellows as external experts, capable of advising government ‘smart’ dust- sensors that would flow that the work they have conducted in agencies and other organizations outside the sciences. Fellows are named as through a rock formation and change the lab has been so successful that members who have made exceptional contributions to Earth and space science in response to pressure or fluid chattering dust has the potential to through a breakthrough, innovation, or discovery in their field. Since, 1962, fewer chemistry as they flowed between scale up quickly in size. Chattering than 0.1% of the AGU members are elected to this prestigious group. boreholes,” says Pyrak-Nolte. “While dust is now ready to be tested on civil- ‘smart’ dust would demonstrate that ian infrastructure. She was also named an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) 2020 Fellow. AAAS Fellows are elected each year by their peers serving two boreholes were connected, they on the Council of AAAS, the organization’s member-run governing body. The provided no information on how they title recognizes important contributions to STEM disciplines, including pioneer- traveled between the boreholes. So ing research, leadership within a given field, teaching and mentoring, fostering instead of ‘smart’ dust, I thought we collaborations, and advancing public understanding of science. She received needed ‘chattering’ dust- dust that a rosette pin (pictured) for the Section on Physics designation for outstanding ‘speaks’ or makes ‘noise’ to tell us contributions to understanding the physics of fractures in rocks and their interac- where it is as it travels.” tions with fluids and seismic waves. According to the publication ti- Most recently, she was elected as a member of the National Academy of tled “Probing Complex Geophysical Engineering (NAE) for advances in understanding of the processes that link the Geometries with Chattering Dust,” mechanical, hydraulic, and seismic properties in discontinuities. Election to the National Academy of Engineering is among the highest professional distinc- “chattering dust takes advantage of tions accorded to an engineer. Academy membership honors those who have the well-developed field of acoustic made outstanding contributions to “engineering research, practice, or education, 3D X-ray tomographic reconstruction of a subregion of a single “chattering” dust emission and induced seismicity, including, where appropriate, significant contributions to the engineering litera- grain showing bubbles of compressed gas. The red bubble has a diameter of 243 hence using chattering dust for lab- ture” and to “the pioneering of new and developing fields of technology, making micrometers (~0.0096 inches). This figure is adapted from publication. oratory experiments on rock enables major advancements in traditional fields of engineering, or developing/imple- menting innovative approaches to engineering education.” For the latest news in research at the Purdue University Department of Physics and Astronomy, visit physics.purdue.edu/news

8 / WINTER 2021 INTERACTIONS WINTER 2021 INTERACTIONS / 9 A GLIMPSE INTO OUR PAST

found his freshman lab book and has graciously All-in-all, freshman did 38 labs over the first two sent it to the department so we could see the lab- semesters. The curriculum consisted of fluid me- oratory course taken by the incoming class in our chanics, classical mechanics and thermodynam- department over 90 years ago. The lab instructor ics in the first semester and optics, electricity and was a Mr. Bush, presumably the TA for the course magnetism and sound in the second semester. as he was not a member of the faculty in 1926. From the due dates of the labs we can see that The lab book contains all the handouts to the the first semester ran from September to January students for the labs of the first semester and all and the second from February to the end of May. of Mr. Walz’s reports for the fall and spring semes- Also note that lab 16 was due on Dec 22 while lab ters. All the handouts to the students were typed 17 was due on Jan 4, so one must conclude winter (and presumably copied, most likely by the mim- break was minimal at that time. eograph) and served as the location for raw data While many of the labs are standard, even in collection. Each lab report consisted of a title, pur- todays curriculum, some do show the times they pose, equipment, answers to the questions asked were created in. One such obvious lab is # 14 from in the handout, a hand drawn figure of the appa- the second semester, “Operation of a telegraph” ratus used, and the data collected (see figure). pictured in this article. The report includes the The labs that a freshman student performed latest developments in telegraphy such as the use during their freshman year were as follows. Note of a dynamo instead of gravity cells. It also ad- that the first two labs of the first semester were dresses a problem we still face today using mod- listed as for a course named Science VII while ern communication methods, data security. Recall labs 3-18 were listed for Physics I. The second that this lab was given in the middle of the roaring semester labs were all for a course named Phys- twenties when the stock market was rising rapidly A Glimpse at Our Past ics II. only to crash a few years later. One question on List of experiments in Physics I List of experiments in Physics II By Ken Ritchie Werner Heisenberg [2] to derive the observed emission spectrum of hydrogen [3]. 1. Correct method for the use of the 1. Photometry (Thu. Feb 3, 1927) It is the fall of 1926/27 academic year. In West Lafayette, the Department of Balance (no due date recorded) Calvin Coolidge is the President of the Physics (as it was called then) was headed 2. Water Pressure (Thu. Sept 30, 1926) 2. Reflection (Tue. Feb 8, 1927) United States. Prohibition is in full swing. by Prof. Ervin S. Ferry and was housed in 3. Vernier Caliper (Thu. Oct 7, 1926) 3. Concave Mirrors (Mon. Feb 14, 1927) A. A. Milne publishes his timeless classic the original physics building (where the 4. Specific Gravity (Tue. Oct 12, 1926) 4. Refraction (Thu. Feb 17, 1927) Winnie-the-Pooh. Fritz Lang is preparing new Class of 50 building currently re- 5. Density (Tue. Oct 19, 1926) 5. Convex Lens (Fri. Feb 25, 1927) to release the science fiction film classic sides). The department had a faculty of 12 6. Boyle’s Law (Thu. Oct 21, 1926) 6. Focal Length (Mon. Feb 28, 1927) Metropolis. Henry and Martha Berry give and presented 38 one-semester courses. 7. Resistant forces (Tue. Oct 26, 1926) 7. Magnets and Magnetic Fields (Mon. Mar 14, birth to a son named Chuck who would go It was into this that a young George Rupel 1927) on to change the world of popular music. Walz (BSME. 1931) entered Purdue as a 8. Parallel Forces (Tue. Nov 2, 1926) 8. Static Electricity (Fri. Mar 18, 1927) In sports, the St. Louis Cardinals win the freshman undergraduate student. 9. Pendulum (continued in lab 10) 9. Galvanic Cell (Tue. Mar 22, 1927) World Series, defeating the NY Yankees Mr. Walz grew up in South Bend, Indiana 10. Pendulum (Mon. Nov 8, 1926) 10. Electromagnet (Tue. Apr 5, 1927) with the final out on Babe Ruth as he tries (born in 1910), the youngest of three chil- 11. Friction (Wed. Nov 24, 1926) 11. Operation of a Doorbell (Fri. Apr 8, 1927) to steal second base. dren. During high school, Mr. Walz was a 12. Levers (Mon. Dec 6, 1926) 12. Electrolysis and Electroplating (Tue. Apr 12, In the world of physics, the Nobel Prize flutist, being chosen as a member of the 1927) is awarded to Jean Baptiste Perrin “for National High School Orchestra, and an 13. Levers (Fri. Dec 10, 1926) 13. Storage Cell (Battery) (Fri. Apr 15, 1927) his work on the discontinuous structure avid amateur photographer. Mr. Walz en- 14. Pulley (Tue. Dec 14, 1926) 14. Operation of a telegraph (Tue. Apr 19, 1927) of matter, and especially for his discov- tered Purdue seeking a degree in Mechan- 15. Inclined Plane (Fri. Dec 17, 1926) 15. D’Arsonval Galvanometer (Mon. Apr 25, 1927) ery of sedimentation equilibrium”. Erwin ical Engineering and, as most freshmen 16. Expansion (Wed, Dec 22, 1926) 16. Voltmeter and Ammeter (Wed. Apr 27, 1927) Schrodinger publishes his treatise on the engineers do, took an Introductory Physics 17. Specific Heat (Tue. Jan 4, 1927) 17. Induced Currents (Tue. May 3, 1927) wave theory of quantum mechanics [1]. Lab course. 18. Heat of Friction (Mon. Jan 10, 1927) 18. Dynamo (Mon. May 9, 1927) Wolfgang Pauli uses the recently publish- We have been fortunate that Mr. Walz’s 19. Motor Efficiency (Thu. May 12, 1927) es matrix theory of quantum mechanics of daughter, Marilyn Walz Taylor, recently 20. Velocity of Sound (Thu. May 26, 1927)

10 / WINTER 2021 INTERACTIONS WINTER 2021 INTERACTIONS / 11 A GLIMPSE INTO OUR PAST

Continued from page 9 see. As the depression came to an end, Mr. Walz on the following pages. joined Minneapolis Honeywell as their Washington, the lab report asks how stock reports transmitted DC representative. He later went on to form his 1. Schrödinger. E. 1926. Quantisierung als Eigen- on telegraph lines can be kept secure. Mr. Walz’s own company, the George R. Walz Company. wertproblem. Ann. d. Phys. 79:361–376, 489–527; response was to encrypt the data, a solution we Mr. Walz passed away at his home in Septem- 80:437–491; 81:109–140. still use today. ber 1986. As his daughter wrote “A member of the 2. Heisenberg, W. 1925. Über quantentheoretische Mr. Walz successfully completed his introductory Greatest Generation (along with Jimmy Stewart), Umdeutung kinematischer und mechanischer Bezie- physics lab course and went on to graduate from Mr. Walz had lived A Wonderful Life.”. hungen. Z. Physik 33:879–893. Purdue in 1931, right in the middle of the Great I would like to thank Marilyn Walz Taylor for lend- 3. Pauli, W. 1926. Über das Wasserstoffspektrum Depression. Unable to find a job, he worked on the ing the department her father’s freshman lab book vom Standpunkt der neuen Quantenmechanik. Z. family farm in South Bend. Keen to the significance and for providing information on the life of George Physik 36:336–363. of the time, he collected all of his rejection letters Rupel Walz. A short reflection on the life of Mr. from that time in a binder for later generations to Walz written by his daughter can be found online

Shown are pages from George Rupel Walz’s freshman lab book. Walz was a freshman student of 1926 who took our introductory physics labs.

12 / WINTER 2021 INTERACTIONS WINTER 2021 INTERACTIONS / 13 Reflections on the life of George Rupel Walz REFLECTIONS as recalled by his daughter Marilyn Walz Taylor / January 2021

It is a pleasure to try to reconstruct some high points of the life of our cover), and shoveling coal into the cantankerous furnace in the Once, when one of his rulings was deemed just too, too strict, father, George Rupel Walz, to accompany his physics lab notes from over basement were common at home, while “call Mr. Walz” became he received this exasperated retort: “Well all right, you are 90 years ago. the go-to solution discovered by many, including our elementa- the king!” At that spirited, totally unexpected insurrection, he Mr. Walz was born in South Bend, Indiana, in 1910, the third and young- ry school principal in the brand-new school building. Because hesitated just a moment, then burst out laughing -- along with est child of Nellie Rupel Walz and George Henry Walz. Though he quick- our father habitually encouraged us to tag along on his sales all who had witnessed this exchange. The story spread, and he ly grew to be 6’3” tall, in South Bend he was always known as “Little and service calls, the furnace room at school became almost as was affectionately known as “King” throughout our extended George.” familiar to me as my grade two classroom. family for the rest of his life. He graduated from South Bend High School in 1927. While there, He later formed the George R. Walz Company, represent- Mr. Walz loved animals and we housed many stray pets. Per- he was among those chosen by Joseph Maddy, founder of Interlochen ing several heating and air conditioning companies including sia, a female kitten who came into heat before we were pre- (Michigan) Music Camp, as part of the National High School Orchestra Barber-Colman, Mid-Continental Metal Products, and Indeeco pared, received some remarkable TLC from him one memorable performing at the Department of Superintendence, National Education (Industrial Engineering and Equipment Company / St. Louis). night when, sensing her condition, many howling tom cats cir- Association’s March (1927) conference in Dallas, Texas. Playing flute and This resulted in decades of mutual professional respect and cled round and round our house in full amorous voice. Mr. Walz piccolo, Mr. Walz enjoyed being regularly introduced as “the biggest man friendship with the founders and clients. (The Indeeco founder’s spent that entire night on the floor with little Persia (understand- in the orchestra, playing the smallest instrument.” son, who, as a young boy, first met our father, shared several ably straining to heed the energetic courting just outside), trying He was an amateur photographer and visual artist as well. Many imag- warm-hearted memories at his funeral.) to distract her -- with limited success -- by calmly stroking and inative photos and beautifully framed items (as well as the lab notes) still Throughout his professional career, Mr. Walz was talented not talking to her until a bit after sunrise when we could take her to bear witness his fine eye for order and beauty. only in solving many varied technical mechanical/engineering the vet to be spayed. Going the extra mile was his habit. Once Mr. Walz had earned his degree in Mechanical Engineering at Pur- dilemmas, but also in treating others with honesty, respect, and He loved his family greatly and showed it in many ways, some due (Class of 1931), he immediately faced the Great Depression. Though empathy. (“Remember Marilyn, every person you meet is carry- rather surprising for a large, strong man, so often the master of he had received many job offers during his senior year at Purdue, by the ing a heavy load.”) huge machinery. With a steady hand and great patience, for time he’d actually graduated he had been repeatedly “fired.” In a three- He and our mother were very hospitable and civic-minded. many months Mr. Walz was the only one entrusted with trim- ring notebook, he saved those many “reject letters,” all with essentially the They went door-to-door gathering donations to establish the ming the tiny fingernails of his newborn grandson (the mother same message (paraphrased here): local hospital in Arlington, Virginia. They served on the PTAs of was too scared to try it). In time, he trained his daughter (the Mr. Walz, though your qualifications are excellent, due to the current our schools at every level, and my father was the first PTA pres- mother) in this additional practical skill, eventually giving her George Rupel Walz economic situation, we must release even long-term employees and ident at Yorktown High School when it opened in 1960. He also his special nail-trimming scissors to do the job correctly. (She therefore cannot in good conscience hire anyone new. We wish you the served as president of the Arlington YMCA and the Arlington grew confident, took over the job, and still has the scissors. The BSME in 1931 best in your professional endeavors…etc. Outdoor Education Association. Active in the Cherrydale Meth- grandson grew up healthy and unscathed.) That book became a great treasure in our eyes, a testament to perse- odist Church beginning in the 1940s, Mr. Walz became a mem- In our parents’ house of nearly 60 years, it was fun to dis- verance. ber of the finance committee, chairman of the Board of Trustees, cover these ancient lab notes and, as adults, to appreciate the Armed with a fresh degree from Purdue but no job, Mr. Walz returned and an enthusiastic bass in the choir. (He and the choir director, precision and detail of them. In hindsight, the genesis of our to South Bend where he worked on the family farm (parenthetically now an Indiana University alumnus, enjoyed ongoing light-hearted childhood familiarity with blueprints all over the house is evi- an historic landmark -- for other reasons! -- 59449 Keria Trail) and also rivalry.) As in other areas of his life, Mr. Walz was often called dent. Mr. Walz’s attention to detail was evident when he was a became a test driver for Studebaker, then manufactured in South Bend. upon to cajole the church heating/ventilating system into action. student and reflected the fine training he received. That quality Always an excellent driver, he taught us that practical skill and included He also served as a member of the Arlington County (Virginia) remained with him throughout life and was complemented by many tips not in the typical drivers ed. manual. One example: careful- Planning Commission, and as president of the local Rotary Club. his caring for others and his conscientious work ethic. He was a ly observe what’s in front of you and when you see a patch of oil on the He always seemed tickled to be of service and rather surprised hard-working and fair-minded businessman with an artistic eye, road, you know a bump is coming up ... why’s that, Daddy? … because a that these honors came his way. an ear for music, and a kind heart. drop of oil falls from every car as it hits that bump and over time, drop by Serious when that was needed, he also had a great sense Our mother observed that of all his varied activities, “he was drop, that oil becomes visible even when you cannot see the bump itself. of humor -- even when the joke was on him. This was tested proudest of his associations with other people. In every activity As economic conditions improved, Mr. Walz was hired by Minneapolis mightily one memorable evening in 1956 when, after a long day he participated in, everybody loved him, and he loved them.” Honeywell as a manufacturer’s representative and moved to Washing- on the road, our family stopped at the Missouri home of long- In summary, Mr. Walz, whom today we might call “the HVAC ton, DC. Our mother [Lois Mildred Fitz], likewise a native of the Midwest time friends for dinner. The story became a classic for our two Whisperer,” used his engineering knowledge to make his living (Nebraska), had also moved to the DC area and very soon caught the families (and possibly for other observers of the scene). Years as a manufacturer’s sales and service representative for heating attention of Mr. Walz who remarked with a smile that “something new later, the host recounted it thus: and ventilating equipment. He made his life through hard work, has been added” to the young adult group at Foundry Methodist Church. Our house was full of people – too many for the dining room – honest and caring treatment of his associates, many long and They were married in1938. Four years later they moved to Minneapolis and we were eating all over the place. This was a great trial for faithful friendships, and knowing how to see the humorous side having become by then parents of a daughter, aged four months. Moth- our two dogs, who were at odds to determine who was the like- of life, even near its end. er’s recently-discovered diaries from that time reveal how hard they both liest touch for a surreptitious handout. At the height of the con- Recovering from open-heart surgery in 1983, he was asked to worked (“George still at work till 7:00 pm” -- or later -- was a common re- fusion, just as the dogs had unsuccessfully worked through two fill out lots of paperwork while in the hospital. When he noticed frain) while maintaining an active social life, raising a small child, handling rooms full of people and entered the living room, a big tall guy that the pen his nurse had handed him was from “Murphy’s rationing (“looked for meat at the store again today – no luck”) and the (6’3”), sitting unsteadily on a too small chair at an even smaller Funeral Home,” he laughed out loud, humorously accusing that ever-changing notifications from the draft board. TV table (not quite big enough for his somewhat overloaded flustered young lady of “sending him a message.” He refused In 1945 they returned to the Washington DC area just in time for the plate), heartily dug his fork into his precariously balanced meal, to return the pen and delighted in sharing it and a hearty laugh birth of their second daughter, one month after they purchased their flipping the whole thing onto the floor. The resulting pandemoni- with his subsequent hospital visitors. first house. Because it had quickly come to light that “George can fix um as the two dogs tore into that pile of food appeared to come Our parents had planned a short road trip for a sunny Satur- anything,” he was called upon to do that quite often in that hastily built from forty snarling beasts. George is a great guy and a great day in September 1986. Instead, Mr. Walz died at home in bed wartime house and elsewhere. Tasks such as rehanging doors, straighten- practical joker, and this was the only time I ever saw him beaten early that very morning at the age of 76. A member of the Great- ing out quirky electrical hook-ups (the front porch light was originally and and speechless. est Generation (along with Jimmy Stewart), Mr. Walz had lived A illogically controlled by a light switch upstairs, which took a while to dis- Mr. Walz set high standards for himself and his children. Wonderful Life.

14 / WINTER 2021 INTERACTIONS WINTER 2021 INTERACTIONS / 15 STUDENT AWARDS STUDENT AWARDS

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS GRADUATE STUDENT AWARDS

Ramdas Award Shalim and Paula Sargis Memorial Scholarship Amanda O. Harrison | Akeley-Mandler Award for Nicholas Hilgert YuXin Dong Teaching Excellence The Ramdas Award award was establish in 2018 by Anant K. Ramdas, the 2020 Raman Prize The Akeley-Mandler Award recognizes exceptional graduate student teach- Lark-Horovitz Distinguished Professor of Physics and his wife, Vasanti Danny Kim The Raman Prize recognizes a Ph.D. student or recent alumni for their ing assistants who excel beyond the mere requirements of the job, investing The Sargis Scholarship recognizes a physics upperclassman from outside the Ramdas. The purpose of the Ramdas Award is to recognize an exceptional outstanding dissertation. The award was made possible through the their effort to ensure that they provide the best education possible to their state of Indiana who also graduated from a U.S. high school. This scholarship senior who has completed a unique project in the Department of Physics and generosity of Anant K. Ramdas, the Lark-Horovitz Distinguished Profes- students. This award is made possible thanks to a gift made by Instructor is made possible due to the generosity of Dr. James Sargis (BS 1958). Astronomy. sor of Physics and Astronomy (emeritus), and his wife Vasanti Ramdas. Emeritus Anna Akeley in memory of her husband, Prof. Edward S. Akeley, and Katherine Schreiber brother, Kurt Mandler. Frederik J. Belinfante Scholarship in Physics David G. Seiler Physics Scholarship Katherine Schreiber completed her PhD at the Purdue Physics and Mackenzie Geckler Astronomy Department in May 2018. She was nominated by her PhD Matthew Schulz The Seiler Scholarship recognizes an outstanding physics upperclassman who Advisor, Dr. Gábor Csáthy, and Dr. Yuli Lyanda-Geller, and Rui-Rui Du, This scholarship recognizes outstanding physics upperclassmen. The scholar- Trang T. Nguyen | Lijuan Wang is involved in Women in Science or Women in Physics programs. This scholar- Prof. of Physics and Astronomy at Rice University. ship is possible due to the generosity of Dr. Robert Newcomb (BS 1955). ship is possible due to the generosity of Dr. David G. Seiler (PhD 1969). Memorial Awards The Lijuan Wang Memorial award is given annually to one or more out- Lijuan Wang Memorial Award standing graduate student majors who promote the gender diversity of the Arthur N. Pozner Memorial Scholarship department through participation in Women in Physics. Lijuan Wang was Rachel Lee Zhujing Xu | Karl Lark-Horovitz Award a graduate student in the department from 1989 until her untimely death in Kaustub Anand Our Department’s most prestigious graduate student honor, the Lark-Horo- 1992. This scholarship recognizes outstanding physics upperclassmen. The scholar- YuXin Dong vitz Award recognizes outstanding research accomplishments. The award The Lijuan Wang Memorial award is given annually to one or more outstanding ship is possible due to the generosity of the Arthur N. Pozner Trust. is possible through the generosity of the faculty as well as the family, friends, undergraduate physics majors who promote the gender diversity of the depart- and associates of Prof. Lark-Horovitz in memory of his great contribution to ment through participation in Women in Physics. Lijuan Wang was a graduate the growth and development of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. student in the department from 1989 until her untimely death in 1992. Kenneth S. and Paula D. Krane Physics Scholarship Rolf Scharenberg Graduate Fellowship Darrell Fischer The Rolf Scharenberg Graduate Fellowship was established in 2017 Francis F. Walz | Gabriele F. Giuliani Award through the generosity of Wendell and Nancy Lutz. The fellowships Richard W. King Award Allison Earnhardt Established in 2013 in memory of Prof. Gabriele F. Giuliani, this allow first- or second-year graduate students to work with a research The Krane Scholarship recognizes outstanding physics upperclassmen. The award honors excellence in teaching by first- or second-year advisor for a summer prior to joining a research group permanently. Braden Buck | Outstanding Junior scholarship is possible due to the generosity of Dr. Kenneth S. (PhD 1970) and graduate students. These graduate students show dedication and depend- Mrs. Paula D. Krane. Kiran Dixit Nicholas Hilgert | Outstanding Senior ability, and, like Professor Giuliani, demonstrate a passion for physics that The Richard W. King Award recognizes the Department’s outstanding physics junior and contributes to a rich learning environment. Xinchao Zhou senior. Prof. King joined the Department of Physics in 1955 as an assistant professor, was promoted to associate professor in 1958, and to professor in 1961. He served as Margie and Don Bottorff Undergraduate Jijun Chen Department Head from 1966 to 1969. During his years at Purdue, Professor King gained Physics Scholarship Rui Xiao | George W. Tautfest Award Andrew J. Wildridge a reputation as an inspiring teacher and sympathetic friend of students. He served for This award honors outstanding physics graduate students in high energy many years as the counselor for undergraduate physics majors. With other students Faith Bergin particle physics, high energy nuclear physics, or astrophysics. Prof. Tautfest he often took the opportunity to promote the value of a broad science background for Andrew Burgess was the leader of the Purdue High Energy Physics group until his death in students pursuing careers such as teaching, law, journalism, and medicine. Following 1967 at age 41. The award was established in 1969 by his colleagues and the his untimely death in August 1969, Prof. King’s family, friends, and colleagues established Rachel Lee Purdue Alumni Foundation. Bilsland Dissertation Fellowship this award. Nicholas Spano The Bilsland Dissertation Fellowship provides support to outstanding The Bottorff Scholarship is made possible by a gift from Ms. Celeste Bottorff Tzu-Han Chang | H. Y. Fan Award Ph.D. candidates in their final year of writing. (MS 1975). The scholarship is a 1-year award made to outstanding physics Rui Xiao upperclassmen. The Fan Award recognizes outstanding graduate research in condensed matter physics, biological physics, or AMO physics. The award Alireza Ravari Karbkhsh was established in recognition of Prof. Fan’s many contributions to con- Shivam Gupta densed matter physics, particularly in the area of infrared studies of semicon- ductors, and to the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Tingting Shen

Purdue Physics and Astronomy College of Science Honors Yang Cao | Charlotte Ida Litman Tubis Award Departmental Awards Convocation Student Honorees The Charlotte Ida Litman Tubis Award was established in her memory by her husband, Prof. Emeritus Arnold Tubis, to promote clear and concise commu- Robert Gustafson Darrell Fischer - Freshman nication of scientific ideas beyond the physics and astronomy community. Grace Bowling Allison Earnhardt - Sophomore Gozde Iloglu Matthew Schulz - Junior Alireza K. Ravari | Dr. Warner Black Award The Black Award recognizes graduate students whose research has the William Casey Andrew Santos - Senior potential to bring physics to the people and to help them improve their lives Moira Andrews by using a deep knowledge of fundamental and applied physics to make practical and useful inventions that have a real and lasting impact. Ethan Zweig Michael D. Higgins | Edward S. Akeley Award This award recognizes outstanding physics graduate students in theoretical physicists. The Akeley Award is made possible through the generosity of Instructor Emeritus Anna M. Akeley. CONGRATS! 16 / WINTER 2021 INTERACTIONS WINTER 2021 INTERACTIONS / 17 FOLLOW ALONG Quantum Coffeehouse

Are you in need of a coffee break and quantum physics FOLLOW ALONG WITH broken down into bite-sized nuggets? Then look no further than the Quantum Coffeehouse by Dr. Erica Carlson, 150th Anniversary Professor of Physics and PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY Astronomy. Check out her youtube channel created for the Purdue Quantum Science and Engineering Institute Faculty of Purdue University have created ways for people at home to take in pieces that presents quantum physics lessons, special guest of their favorite sciences throughout the year. The Department of Physics and Astronomy speakers, and novel examples of quantum mechanics at has something for every age group to ensure that the persistent pursuit youtube.com/QuantumCoffeehouse. of our physical world is within reach.

Saturday Afternoon Astrophysics (SMAP)

The Department of Physics and Astronomy has a ded- icated K-12 outreach program. One of the charter programs for outreach is Saturday Morning Astrophysics (SMAP), which is a monthly on-campus program for middle and high school students. Because of the pandemic, SMAP had to change course from in-person to remote learning. For this reason, David Sederberg, created a youtube channel (youtube.com/channel/ Galileo Unbound UCCfaznZ8tJONEItYH8GBQNg) and a twitter account (@PhysAstroK12). These will both help teachers and Do you want to learn about the history of physicists, the students who have been forced by to stay home stay ups and downs of compound double pendulums, the connected with physics and astronomy. calculable spread of COVID-19, and the stories of people behind the physics of mechanics, complex systems, and nonlinear dynamics? Then check out the Galileo Unbound blog by Dr. David Nolte, Edward M. Purcell Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy, at the website galileo-unbound.blog.

For the latest news in research at the Purdue University Department of Physics and Astronomy, visit physics.purdue.edu/news

18 / WINTER 2021 INTERACTIONS WINTER 2021 INTERACTIONS / 19

https://www.purdue.edu/uns/images/2017/nolte-d17.jpg 8/17/20, 9:29 PM Page 1 of 1 ALUMNI AWARDS DEVELOPMENT Physics and Astronomy welcomes 2020 ALUMNI AWARDS Directory of Development Star Murray

Howdy! away from parents and other I’m so very excited to join familiar comforts, is exponen- Physics and Astronomy! My tial. The ability to watch that Yok Chen Bruce Schechter official duties as director of de- growth first-hand was remark- Distinguished Alumni 2020 Distinguished Alumni 2020 velopment began on March first able. Although my career has 1966 PhD 1980 BS and I’m eager to learn about taken me down a different path, and collaborate with our alumni. the absolute best thing about Yok Chen is a retired program manager with Bruce Schechter is an advisor, consultant My first career after attending this job is getting to hear alum- the Department of Energy, Office of Basic or investor in a variety of technology startups, Northern Michigan University ni share their stories of that Energy Sciences and the Division of Mate- including Life360, BigML, Illumeo, SHIFTMobility, was in pre-college and ear- time in their life. rial Science. He also worked at Oak Ridge 3PointData, and Treasury Curve. He is a mem- ly-college programing. Getting As I begin the amazing jour- National Laboratory and since 1972, an APS ber of the Band of Angels, Silicon Valley’s oldest to witness young students ney in Physics and Astronomy, Fellow. Other accomplishments include 240 organized Angel investor organization. Bruce transition into young adults I’d love to hear about your time to share your story. I’m eager to peer-reviewed publications, 6 patents related began his career at Intel Corporation in 1980 and was life-changing for me. There in the dorms, in your labs, the listen. Feel free to email me any to crystal growth, edited two books, co-dis- there he served a 17 year tenure in a variety of isn’t quite another time in a best professors, the best place time at [email protected]. coverer of positronium hydride. His research roles including Fab Process Engineering, Mi- person’s life such as the time in to grab a coffee and study, and interests include: radiation effects; laser mate- croprocessor Product Management, Technical undergrad or grad school. The how Purdue helped you grow as Boiler Up! rials; high-temperature materials; redox effects; Assistant to the Sr VP of Corporate Strategy, and - Star and spectroscopy and transport of hydrogenic Director of Online Marketing in the Corporate academic and personal growth, a person. I hope you are willing isotopes in oxides; crystal growth; fission and Marketing Group. Bruce was on the founding fusion materials; optical spectroscopy (absorp- team of Pandesic LLC, a pioneer eCommerce tion and luminescence); electron paramagnet- application service provider, where he served as ic resonance; and defect structures. Invited Director of Operations Management and then guest of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR Director of Strategic Alliances. Bruce is active (former), Bulgaria, Siberia, Spain, Taiwan, China in mentoring student entrepreneurs at both and Mexico. Stanford University and Purdue University, and Yok Chen is proud to have been the graduate is active in non-profit work, including his role as student of Karl Lark-Horovitz (July 20, 1892 – founder and President Emeritus of the Intel Alum- April 14, 1958), an American physicist known for ni Network and as co-founder and past co-chair- his pioneering work in solid-state physics that man of Purdue SVBIG (Silicon Valley Boilermaker played a role in the invention of the transistor. Innovation Group). He received a BS in Physics Yok is assumed to be the last person to have and Math from Purdue University, where he grad- spoken with Karl before he passed away at his uated with Highest Honors and Phi Beta Kappa, desk one night at Purdue. Yok also remembers and MUCH later he received an MS in Computer AK Ramdas as a post-doctorate student and Science from Stanford University. then assistant faculty member.

Mario J. Paniccia Ph.D. Physics ‘94 Mario Paniccia has been elected into the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). He is the CEO of Anello Photonics, which focuses on developing a new type of sensor for the autonomous market based on silicon photonics. He was elected to the academy in recognition of his contributions to ingerated silicon photonic devices and their commer- cialization.

20 / WINTER 2021 INTERACTIONS WINTER 2021 INTERACTIONS / 21 MARY CLARK The science of painting cats

By Cheryl Pierce process. “I feel my education at Purdue is what encouraged A life’s journey in science can branch out into many Lockheed to hire me and train me as a programmer,” avenues. Mary Clark, Purdue Physics alumna, graduated says Clark. “I love detail and solving problems, so the job in 1959 with a major in Physics and minors in Math and was perfect for me. I feel very fortunate to have worked Chemistry. This education gave her a solid foundation almost 40 years in the computer field; it gave me a sense for a long and rewarding career in science. She spent 40 of confidence with many computer programs.” years in the computer industry with a career spanning Clark always had an appreciation for art, even though it programming, systems operation, database maintenance, wasn’t encouraged at home as a child. She has two adult web design, and graphic design. All of these avenues children and always found ways to work arts and crafts prepared Clark for her latest career highlight: painting into her parenting. Soon she was helping the neighbor- cats. hood kids with projects. It was a passion that did not Clark was gifted in the sciences. After all, she was conflict with her career in science, it complimented it. granted a Westinghouse Science scholarship from her “I use is my computer skills to perhaps draw up an idea high school. These scholarships could identify a budding in Photoshop or to play with colors in Paint or other pro- scientist and help them pay their way through to a college grams,” says Clark. “I feel very fortunate to have worked degree. But she was also a gifted artist. At the time she almost 40 years in the computer field; it gave me a sense attended Purdue, senior skirts and cords were especially of assurance with many computer programs.” popular. Students painted them so that each senior had a Her scientific training also lent her an eye for detail. Because of her scientific background and interest in unique memento of their stay at Purdue. Mary Clark, Purdue Physics alumna, Mary drew on her artistic ability to draw and paint painting, Clark obtained a certificate in Botanical Art and graduated in 1959 with a major in Physics skirts for friends and “dorm gals.” She was often paid for Illustration from the Denver Botanic Gardens in 2008. her talent and this plus her scholarship and a part time Botanical art is highly detailed plant paintings that are re- and minors in Math and Chemistry. job helped her pay her way through her undergraduate quired to be scientifically accurate. After painting botani- Photos provided by Mary Clark. degree. Now, after a life-long rewarding career in the cals for a few years, her eyes had changed and the detail computer industry, Clark has circled back to her love of work added ocular stress so she switched to oil painting, artistry, and it all started by painting those skirts. Now and painting cats. she paints whimsical cats and commissioned pet por- “A friend talked me into to taking classes at Park Hill traits. Art Club,” says Clark. “In my first class, we were to paint “My first job out of college was at Lockheed in Bur- ten to twelve paintings in a series. At the time, I was bank, CA doing programming related to their aircraft. I volunteering at a large animal shelter so I choose to paint then transferred to Lockheed’s Space Program in Sunny- twelve shelter cats. The rest is history. I am an oil painter vale and programmed. I always did some type of mathe- and paint primarily cats: whimsical, abstract, and real- matical programming –with the space program, for IBM istic.” She still volunteers at the animal shelter and sees in San Francisco when they introduced the first disk drive cats come in who weren’t wanted or left outside as peo- (it was huge!), at UC Berkeley, Lockheed Marietta and ple move. At first, she was mainly painting those shelter more!” says Clark. “After I married, my husband changed cats. According to Clark, she paints cats to encourage jobs to move ‘up the ladder’ and I moved along, finding people to see cats other than a throw away object. jobs in the computer field. Often I was the only woman Now Clark paints all sorts of animals. Her art has been programmer. Eventually, I ended up learning to setup featured in many shows. She has taken part in many art and maintain databases and websites. Along the way, fairs and she currently belongs to a gallery and several I obtained two Master’s degrees: Marriage and Fami- art guilds. Though the pandemic has slowed the galleries ly Counseling and Leadership and was a Marriage and and shows, Clark’s art can be seen in her online gallery, Family Counselor for a few years; eventually going back paintingcats.com. She still paints shelter cats in addition to computers.” to commissioned portraits. It’s interesting that Clark ended up in a computer Clark’s experience teaches that, though a person may programming field. At the time she attended Purdue, the have a variable skill set, it is all connected. Her scientific university did not yet have a computer. But an education initiative and artistic talents compliment one another with at Purdue can take a student a long way in the interview each whimsical brush stroke.

WINTER 2021 INTERACTIONS / 23 RECOGNITION OF DONORS DEGREES RECOGNIZING OUR DONORS DEGREE RECIPIENTS DECEMBER 2019 - AUGUST 2020 DECEMBER 2019 - AUGUST 2020 LISTED ALPHABETICALLY Chen-Lung Hung Leonid P. Rokhinson Roshy and Pushap Aggarwal James B. Jennings Tim Ross FALL 2019 Tristan D. Schefke, Bachelor of Science Carol L. Ahlburn Russell Johnson Duane C. Saufley Ali T. Al-Keldi, Bachelor of Science Christian T. Stanley, Bachelor of Science David H. Alexander Matthew Jones John and Donna Schaibley Nathaniel R. Essington, Bachelor of Science Matthew J. Tao, Bachelor of Science Roger and Marcia Alig Paul Karpiscak Maryjane and Rolf Scharenberg Andrew J. Fahrenbach, Bachelor of Science Yifeng Wang, Bachelor of Science Gianni Ascarelli Ryan T. Kelly Dean and Sophia Sciacca Adam M. Guerin, Bachelor of Science Jordan A. Young, Bachelor of Science Virginia M. Ayres Marv and Marie Kemple David Seiler Jacob M. Laster, Bachelor of Science Anirban Dutta, Master of Science Donald and Ruth Baylis Steve Kendrick John and Marcia Seiler Yang Cao, Master of Science Terrence J. Edmonds, Master of Science Marty Becker Mike and Jill Klucher Bruce A. Sherwood Amanda L. Depoian, Master of Science Giuseppe D. Giuliani, Master of Science Charles and Virginia Beetz David and Helen Koltick Niranjan Hirisave Shivaram Zhenyu Xu, Master of Science Liyang Jiang, Master of Science Bob and Sheila Beyer Dwight Konic Ceber T. Simpson Fan Zhang, Master of Science Abhilash Reddy Kalam, Master of Science Bob Blue Kenneth and Paula Krane Shirin Sioshansi Haotian Zhou, Master of Science Soham Mandal, Master of Science Douglas Brown Luis M. Kruczenski Steven and Jacquelyn Stendahl Xiaoling Zhai, Doctor of Philosophy Sean A. Myers, Master of Science Charles C. Broy Franziska and Rafael Lang Bill Struzinski Xuhui Zhou, Doctor of Philosophy Siddhant Pandey, Master of Science Warren and Verna Bulman Nicholas E. Lanier Patrick K. Sullivan Honggu Choi, Doctor of Philosophy Dave Burke George E. Laramore Don Szenina Spring 2020 Zhe Li, Doctor of Philosophy Daniel and Martha Cable Ralph W. Lefler Matt and Ellen Tate James L. Allan, Bachelor of Science Yonggang Luo, Doctor of Philosophy Louis J. Caplan Tongcang Li Joe and Judy Tesmer Michael E. Anderson, Bachelor of Science Cheng-Chieh Peng, Doctor of Philosophy Nicolas and Maria Alan Linkous Stephen and Ingrid Thomas Sandeep Baskar, Bachelor of Science Carayannopoulos Wendell and Nancy Lutz Stanislav Tsoi Ashton A. Bitters, Bachelor of Science Summer 2020 Eric P. Chael and Oana Malis Arnold Tubis Katherine E. Broad, Bachelor of Science Jacob L. De Souza, Bachelor of Science Marianne C. Walck Ron McHenry Srinivasa and Vethsala Mitchell D. Brown, Bachelor of Science Kui Zhang, Master of Science Thomas and Debrah Claytor Kaitlyn McKay Venugopalan JiaSheng Cao, Bachelor of Science James R. Nakamura, Doctor of Philosophy Philip and Angela Cole Pam McKinney Fuqiang Wang Rebecca A. Carmack, Bachelor of Science Dohyung Ro, Doctor of Philosophy Don and Lonna Cope Russell and Ellen Miller Andi Wenger Agamdeep S. Chopra, Bachelor of Science David and Joan Cree Barney and Leslie Molldrem Dave White Ryan M. Coffman, Bachelor of Science Fall 2020 Rob Daniell Melvin M. Moriwaki and Ronald and Anne White Brody K. Conner, Bachelor of Science Kira N. Graves, Bachelor of Science David S. Davis Y. Cheng Leong Chuck and Katherine Wiley Alexander A. Couturier, Bachelor of Science Cara J. Brookins, Bachelor of Science Malcolm and Jean Davis Kathie Moss Don Wilke Farhad De Sousa, Bachelor of Science Connor M. Mohs, Bachelor of Science William B. DeGraf Steve Moss Peter J. Williams Frank M. DiBartolomeo, Bachelor of Science Hunter C. Small, Bachelor of Science Mark and Susan Disko Andrew J. Mugler Wei Xie Matthew A. Doniere, Bachelor of Science Nicholas C. Spano, Bachelor of Science Robert E. Donelson C. P. Nehra Bob and Debby Zeman Sean C. Egloff, Bachelor of Science Simran S. Gurdasani, Master of Science Dale Eichenberger Norbert Neumeister and Diana M. Forbes, Bachelor of Science Simitrios Krommydas, Master of Science Jim Eller Ulrike Dydak CORPORATE DONORS Nicholas J. Hilgert, Bachelor of Science Xiaobing Shi, Master of Science Til Eneyew Sally and Bob Newcomb Benevity AOGF-BAE Systems Yuchen Kan, Bachelor of Science Sayan Basak, Doctor of Philosophy Claudia C. Evans David T. Nisius and The Blackbaud Giving Fund Surkhab Kaur, Bachelor of Science Teng Bian, Doctor of Philosophy Hung Y. Fan Susan M. Fischer (yourcause) Hosam Khalifah, Bachelor of Science Jian-Yu Chan, Doctor of Philosophy Phil Findley Joseph and Judith Olson Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation Arman S. Kumar, Bachelor of Science Alireza Karbakhsh Ravari, Doctor of Philosophy John P. Finley Piu Ong Chevron Phillips Chemical Kehan Liu, Bachelor of Science Antoine P. Martin, Doctor of Philosophy Ephraim and Janie Fischbach Aare and Judy Onton Company Brian H. Long, Bachelor of Science Troy A. Seberson, Doctor of Philosophy Dan and Betsy Fleetwood Chan Soo Park Chromologic, LLC Ray S. Mattes, Bachelor of Science Rongxin Xia, Doctor of Philosophy Nick and Patricia Giordano Doris L. Peterson ExxonMobil Foundation George A. Mitchell, Bachelor of Science Zhenyu Xu, Doctor of Philosophy Bob and Margi Goodwin Yixia Gerry Peterson General Electric Foundation Andrew D. Santos, Bachelor of Science and John Gotwals Wallace and Louise Phelan Gordon E. & Betty I. Moore Douglas and Diana Harke Steven M. Plunkett Foundation William L. Harting and Olivia Yulia Pushkar Harris Foundation Jane Snyder Laura J. Pyrak-Nolte and IBM International Foundation Ward C. Haselhorst David Nolte Owens Corning (yourcause) Philip E. Heckman Betsy V. Quinn Research Corporation Jordan M. Heim Vasantha and Anant Ramdas Simons Foundation, Inc. Dennis C. Henry Paula J. Rasera TU Dortmund University Michael L. Huebschman Kenneth P. Ritchie CONGRATULATIONSCONGRATULATIONS Dale and Nicky Human Francis and Carol Robicheaux Mike Humnicky David and Karen Rohlfing TO OUR NEWEST ALUMNI!

24 / WINTER 2021 INTERACTIONS BOILERBOILER UP!UP! WINTER 2021 INTERACTIONS / 25 Because of the pandemic, the way we teach changed all over Purdue University. Because we are Boilermakers, we kept going. Members of the PRIME Lab masked up to Protect Purdue and we were still able to teach and learn remotely and in-person during a year marked with challenges.

Pictured left to right: Lan Luo, Post-doc, Allie Koester, graduate student, Tom Woodruff, Head of Tandem Operations, Professor Marc Caffee, and Angus Moore, graduate student.

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