Origin of the Conferences for Undergraduate Machine Learning Back Page: The Women 02│ Reynolds Number 03│ Women in Physics 05│ in the Physical Sciences 08│ of Fluid Mechanics

March 2020 • Vol. 29, No. 3 aps.org/apsnews

A PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY

MEETINGS JOURNALS Exploring Collaboration and Competition at the Introducing PRX Quantum

APS International Leadership Forum PS is gearing up to launch a BY LEAH POFFENBERGER new member of the Physical A Review family of journals. he APS Leadership PRX Quantum will be a highly selec- PRX QUANTUM Convocation has in past tive, open access journal focused A Physical Review journal T years brought leaders on quantum information science from APS membership units and technology with an emphasis together to connect with APS as on research with lasting and an organization, but this year the profound impact. The new journal meeting took on a new name—the is expected to open for submissions has exploded in recent years, with Annual Leadership Meeting—and in the coming months, publish an increasing number of advances featured a brand-new event: The its first peer-reviewed content in in quantum computing and simu- International Leadership Forum. the second half of the year, and lation, quantum communication, The added day offered an opportu- waive article publication charges and quantum sensing reported nity to welcome prominent science (APCs) for all submissions received at conferences and in journal leaders from around the world to in 2020. papers each week. The poten- discuss important policy issues “PRX Quantum will expand on tial for impact on both science faced by the physics community the excellence and innovation of and society is tremendous, with and society as a whole. Physical Review X (PRX), and provide promising applications in areas The International Leadership a home for and connection between such as materials design, secure Forum was created to help address the numerous research commu- encryption, GPS-free navigation, challenges laid out by the APS nities that make up quantum and biomedical imaging. “PRX Quantum represents our Strategic Plan: 2019 involving the Nobel laureate Steven Chu gave the keynote address at the first APS Annual information research, from pure support of robust scientific research Leadership Meeting. IMAGE: WILL MARTINEZ and applied sciences to engineering, continuing commitment to excel- through advocacy and shaping technology, computer science, and lence and increasing open access science policy, especially policy of Energy Steven Chu, Director of IonQ. Two panels, one focused on beyond,” said APS Editor in Chief opportunities for researchers and that could impact international the Caltech LIGO Laboratory David international collaboration and the Michael Thoennessen. readers at the top level of quality,” collaboration. The keynote speakers Reitze, and University of Maryland other on international competi- The field of quantum informa- said APS Publisher Matthew Salter. for this year’s event were: Nobel Professor Christopher Monroe, tion science and the development Laureate and Former US Secretary co-founder and Chief Scientist at COLLABORATION CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 of quantum-enabled technologies PRX QUANTUM CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

DIVERSITY APS Board Statement on Open Science On February 14, the APS Board of Directors adopted a “Statement on Open Science and Recommitment to Research Building Relationships at the Principles.” The Statement emphasizes the importance of open exchange of information and the need for balance National Mentoring Community with national security concerns. The full text can be found at aps.org/policy/statements/executive.cfm. Conference GOVERNANCE BY LEAH POFFENBERGER

Speaker of the APS Council Andrea Liu frican American, Hispanic effectively support their students. American, and Native The 2020 NMC conference, held hysicist Andrea Liu is the something is interesting they don’t American students are in partnership with the National 2020 APS Speaker of the care so much whether it deserves A underrepresented in undergrad- Society of Black Physicists and Council of Representatives, to be called “chemistry.” In physics P uate physics, and APS is working the National Society of Hispanic a position that was created in what matters is that problems are to change that: the National Physicists, took place from 2015 as part of the changes to interesting, but in engineering it Mentoring Community (NMC) February 6 to 8 at the University APS governance. The Speaker is important that there be a wider offers these students the support of Central Florida in Orlando, with chairs the Council and sets the impact and it’s possible to choose and guidance they may need to more than 120 attendees. agenda for its meetings. Liu is the problems that satisfy both criteria. succeed and earn their degrees. “This conference has been the Hepburn Professor of Physics at the Explain the role of the APS The NMC matches students with most valuable part of the NMC University of Pennsylvania and an Council of Representatives local mentors and helps to facilitate experience,” said Alice Olmstead, APS Fellow. APS News spoke with The Council is really what relationships that keep under- an assistant professor at Texas Liu about the role of the Council connects members to APS as an represented minority students State University and an NMC and her priorities for the year. organization. It’s basically the main in physics. mentor. “It’s so rich and has so What is your scientific conduit of communication between Each year, the NMC holds a many resources for my students background? the membership units—the divi- conference with resources and to make connections that I can’t I’m a soft- and living-matter sions, topical groups, forum, and Andrea Liu workshops for both mentors and provide myself.” physicist with an interdisciplinary sections—and APS governance mentees, with the purpose of fos- input from members, through the career history. My degrees are and senior management. And it’s tering community and empowering units, up to the Council and then in physics but I was a postdoc in also the way different units com- mentors with the tools to more NMC CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 to the Board, staff and leadership. chemical engineering and mate- municate with each other. But communication in the rials science and then was on the The effectiveness of APS is opposite direction is also impor- chemistry faculty at UCLA for ten limited by the ability to commu- tant. Our members are not as well years before coming to the physics nicate among the various diverse informed as they could be about department at Penn. parts, and so the role of council is all the great things that APS is I’ve noticed that physicists are incredibly important. It involves doing and so they don’t take as far more worried about preserving communication from members to much advantage of the Society the purity of their discipline than the Council, and from the Council programs as they could. I would chemists or engineers. In my expe- to the APS Board of Directors, in say that communication is not rience in chemistry, as long as both directions. We need to get one of the strongest points of the APS and this is something the last several Council Speakers have been working really hard to improve. What are some ways to improve communication? I think one way is to make

LIU CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 Attendees at the 2020 APS NMC Conference IMAGE: CARLOS ROMERO Revised 03/02/20 2 • March 2020

PROGRAMS Education and Diversity News THIS MONTH IN

Physics Department Chairs faculty, full-time lecturers (or Conference: Save the Date equivalent), adjunct faculty and Physics History The 2020 Physics Department part-time faculty as deemed appro- Chairs Conference, sponsored priate should be made no later than jointly by the American Association March 6. March 15, 1883: Osborne Reynolds Proposes the of Physics Teachers and APS, will STEP UP Ambassador Leads be held June 18–20, 2020 in College STEP UP is excited to announce Reynolds Number Park, MD. Registration information our seven Ambassador Leads will be available in late February. he intricate motion of fluids is notoriously from the first cohort who will be difficult to predict, due to these sub- June 2020 New Faculty joining our Ambassador Program stances’ nonlinear nature. But physicists Workshop Coordinator Bree Barnett Dreyfuss, T can predict whether the flow in a given system Physics and Astronomy in training and supporting our 2nd should be laminar or turbulent, thanks to an Department Chairs are invited to cohort. These awesome folks are: Irish-born physicist named Osborne Reynolds. nominate their new faculty for the Colleen Epler-Ruths, Alisa Grimes, Reynolds was a pioneer in the study of fluid June 25–28, 2020 NSF-supported Jolene Johnson, Brian Kays, Alma dynamics, performing an elegant experiment Physics and Astronomy New Faculty Robinson, Katherine Seguino, and to demonstrate that the critical transition point Workshop to be held in Los Angeles, Mike Wadness. See STEPUPphysics. between the two types of flow could be predicted CA. The nomination form is available org/news for their photos and bios, by one simple number. We now know it as the at aapt.org/Conferences/newfaculty/ as well as the announcement of Reynolds number. newfaculty_nomination.cfm. the new ambassadors joining the Born in Belfast, Reynolds inherited a love Nominations of tenure-track project! of mathematics from his clergyman father, a headmaster with a mechanical bent who had patented several improved designs for agricul- tural equipment. Reynolds would later recall how PRX QUANTUM CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 much he benefited from “the constant guidance Osborne Reynolds of my father, also a lover of mechanics, and a PRX Quantum will publish physics journal, thanks to over- man of no mean attainments in mathematics of Employers, Foremen, and Draughtsmen. papers of flexible length and whelming support and appreciation and its application to physics.” Reynolds helped improve the design of boilers format from all topics relevant from the broader physics commu- Young Osborne was an apprentice to a ship- and condensers with his work on heat transfer to the diverse multidisciplinary nity,” said APS Associate Publisher builder, which sparked his interest in fluid and phase transitions between solids and fluids. quantum information science and Jeff Lewandowski. “This gives us dynamics. After earning a degree in mathematics An 1875 patent for a two-stage steam engine technology research communi- confidence that withPRX Quantum, from Queens College, Cambridge, he spent a year was a milestone in the early history of hydraulic ties spanning physics, computer and potentially additional PRX- working as a civil engineer focusing on sewage pumps and steam turbines. He even drew on his science, mathematics, chemistry, inspired topical titles that reflect transport systems. Then, at 25, he became a civil engineering work when he published a short materials, engineering, and tech- the evolution of physics, we will professor of engineering at Owens College (now monograph in 1872 on how to keep sewer gases nology. Research coverage in the better serve the global scientific the University of Manchester), where he worked out of homes. The topic proved so popular the journal will include fundamental community with valued and trusted for his entire career. monograph went through four editions. and applied results; theoretical and open access journals of the highest Engineering was a relatively new field of study In early 1883, Reynolds performed his classic experimental advances, including quality and impact.” at the time. Reynolds was the first professor in experiment on fluid flow, investigating different those in methods and instrumen- the field at Owens College, thanks to a chair flow rates of water by squirting a jet of dyed tation; and interdisciplinary and established by local engineers and businessmen, water into water flowing through a large glass who wanted to increase the number of employ- pipe. There was a control valve at one end of the emerging areas. Learn more and sign up for updates “Since launching 9 years ago, at journals.aps.org/prxquantum. able young men with experience in science and pipe to allow him to control the velocity. He noted PRX has become the world’s leading Follow PRX Quantum on Twitter at engineering. Reynolds emphasized math, physics, that at low velocities, the layer of dyed water kept open access multidisciplinary @PRX_Quantum. and classical mechanics in his engineering cur- its shape as it flowed through the pipe, while riculum, although he apparently had no gift at higher velocities, the dyed layer broke apart for lecturing. But he was an excellent mentor, and diffused through the rest of the water. This according to his mathematics colleague, Horace was the transition point between what is now Lamb: “To his pupils he was most generous in known as laminar (smooth) flow and turbulent Read the opportunities for valuable work which he put (disorderly) flow. in their way, and in the share of cooperation.” Based on those experiments, Reynolds dis- Initially, Reynolds’ research focused on elec- covered there was one simple predictive number online tricity and magnetism, as well as the properties taking into account the relevant physical quanti- of the sun and comets, but his interests soon ties, namely a fluid’s viscosity, and, in the case of shifted to hydraulics and hydrodynamics, where Reynolds’ experiments, the glass pipe’s diameter. he made contributions to research on rolling He also precisely identified the transition (critical) friction and hydrodynamic lubrication. He did not point: when the Reynolds number is greater than have much in the way of laboratory equipment 2000, the flow becomes turbulent, described in in those early days, so most of his experiments detail in a paper submitted on March 15, 1883 to were relatively simple and could be done outdoors the Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. (A or at his home. 2011 paper in the journal Science pegged the exact He also joined the Manchester Literary and transition value as 2040.) Philosophical Society, then headed by James The Reynolds number remains the standard Prescott Joule, who encouraged Reynolds to present mathematical framework used to study turbulent his first paper in March 1870. Reynolds nourished systems, particularly by aeronautical engineers, his more pragmatic interests via membership in the Manchester Scientific and Mechanical Society, as well as the Manchester Association REYNOLDS CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 aps.org/apsnews

Series II, Vol. 29, No. 3 APS COUNCIL OF REPRESENTATIVES 2020 General Councilors Particles and Fields), Stuart Henderson (Division of March 2020 Vivian F. Incera*, Andrea J. Liu*, Physics of Beams), Amitava Bhattacharjee* (Division President Robert McKeown, Robin L. B. Selinger* of Plasma Physics), Murugappan Muthukumar © 2020 American Physical Society Philip H. Bucksbaum*, Stanford University and (Division of Polymer Physics), Charles H. Bennett SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory International Councilors (Division of Quantum Information), Noah Finkelstein Ursula Keller, Marta Losada*, Ahmadou (Forum on Education), LaNell Williams (Forum on Editor...... David Voss President-Elect Wagué*, Enge Wang Graduate Student Affairs), Virginia Trimble (Forum Sylvester J. Gates*, Brown Theoretical Physics on the History of Physics), TBD (Forum on Industrial Staff Science Writer...... Leah Poffenberger Center, Brown University Chair, Nominating Committee and Applied Physics), Emanuela Barzi (Forum on Contributing Correspondent ...... Alaina G. Levine Nora Berrah*, University of Connecticut International Physics), TBD (Forum on Physics and Design and Production...... Nancy Bennett-Karasik Vice President Society), Philip R. Johnson (Mid-Atlantic Section), Frances Hellman*, University of California, Chair, Panel on Public Affairs Nora Berrah* (New England Section) Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Dan Dahlberg, University of Minnesota APS News (ISSN: 1058-8132) is published APS News, One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD Laboratory Senior Management Team monthly, except for a combined August-Sep- 20740-3844, Email: [email protected]. Editor in Chief Mark Doyle, Chief Information Officer; tember issue, 11 times per year, by the Ameri- Past President Michael Thoennessen, Michigan State University Jane Hopkins Gould, Chief Financial Officer can Physical Society, One Physics Ellipse, Col- Subscriptions: APS News is an on-membership David J. Gross*, Kavli Institute for Theoretical (on leave) Beth Gunzel, Chief Human Resources Officer lege Park, MD 20740-3844, (301) 209-3200. It publication delivered by Periodical Mail Postage Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara Kate P. Kirby, Chief Executive Officer; contains news of the Society and of its Divisions, Paid at College Park, MD and at additional mail- Division, Forum, and Section Councilors Matthew M. Salter, Publisher; Topical Groups, Sections, and Forums; advance ing offices. Chief Executive Officer Michael Coleman Miller (Division of Astrophysics), Francis Slakey, Chief Government Affairs Officer; information on meetings of the Society; and re- Kate P. Kirby, Harvard Smithsonian (retired) David Schultz (Division of Atomic, Molecular, and James W. Taylor, Deputy Executive Officer and ports to the Society by its committees and task For address changes, please send both the old Optical Physics), William Bialek (Division of Biological Chief Operating Officer; forces, as well as opinions. and new addresses, and, if possible, include a Speaker of the Council Physics), Robert Continetti (Division of Chemical Michael Thoennessen, Editor in Chief mailing label from a recent issue. Changes can be Andrea J. Liu*, University of Pennsylvania Physics), TBD (Division of Condensed Matter Physics), Letters to the editor are welcomed from the emailed to [email protected]. Postmaster: TBD (Division of Computational Physics), Howard * Voting Members of the APS Board of Directors membership. Letters must be signed and should Send address changes to APS News, Membership Treasurer Stone (Division of Fluid Dynamics), Beverly Berger* include an address and daytime telephone num- Department, American Physical Society, One James Hollenhorst*, Agilent Technologies (Division of Gravitational Physics), John Fourkas ber. APS reserves the right to select and to edit Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740-3844. (Division of Laser Science), Samuel Bader (Division for length and clarity. All correspondence re- Coden: ANWSEN ISSN: 1058-8132 Corporate Secretary of Materials Physics), Baha Balantekin* (Division of garding APS News should be directed to: Editor, Jeanette Russo, American Physical Society Nuclear Physics), Elizabeth Simmons (Division of March 2020 • 3

HONORS MEMBERSHIP UNITS 2020 APS Medal and Prize Ceremony The Topical Group on the Physics BY LEAH POFFENBERGER of Climate BY ABIGAIL DOVE n January 30, APS leaders and invited guests he APS Topical Group on the gathered at the historic O Physics of Climate (GPC) is Willard Intercontinental Hotel a home for scientists inter- in Washington DC to witness the T ested in the future of our planet awarding of the 2020 APS Medal and the physics, measurement, for Exceptional Achievement in and modeling of climate processes. Research, recognizing contributions Climate physics encompasses of the highest level that advance our everything from the study of Earth's knowledge and understanding of the hydrological and carbon cycles, physical universe in all its facets. to statistical analyses of climate This year’s Medal was awarded to models and measurement systems, Myriam P. Sarachik (City College of to the physics of proxies to infer New York) for fundamental contri- the properties of past climates. The butions to the physics of electronic physics of the mechanisms, mag- transport in solids and molecular urged physicists to participate nitudes, and timescales by which magnetism. actively in climate research and both natural and anthropogenic For the first time, two other help develop technological measures processes affect the climate is an prizes were also awarded at the APS to mitigate climate change. area of exceptional interest within Medal and Prize Ceremony: Norman “I want physicists to know that this field. Yao (University of California, there are lots of challenging and Formed in 2012, GPC exists to Berkeley) received the George E. (L-R): Joel Primack (Julius Edgar Lilienfeld Prize), Philip Bucksbaum (2020 fascinating and important problems APS President), Myriam Sarachik (APS Medal for Exceptional Achievement in promote the advancement of new Valley Jr. Prize, created to recognize emerging with climate change, Research), David Gross (2019 APS President), Norman Yao (George E. Valley knowledge on these topics, while one individual in the early stages where their way of thinking has Prize), Roger Falcone (2018 APS President) IMAGE: KYLE BERGENER remaining entirely within the of their career for an outstanding value,” noted GPC chair-elect Mary domain of natural science (and contribution to physics. The Julius of the formation of structure in the the Advancement of Science. In Silber (University of Chicago). “The outside the domains of policy, Edgar Lilienfeld Prize, recognizing universe, and for communicating her remarks, Sarachik recounted idea is for physicists to bring their regulation, and legislation that a most outstanding contribution to to the public the extraordinary the highs and lows of her life and unique skill set and mind set to the are separately covered by the APS physics, was presented to Joel R. progress in our understanding of career as a physicist at a time when research, as well as to bring their Office of Government Affairs). Primack (University of California, cosmology.” He was honored for women were a rarity in the field, curiosity to the discussions.” In some sense, GPC’s founding Santa Cruz). both his scientific achievements from her PhD at Columbia to Bell Specific areas underlying the was prompted by the 2007 APS APS President Philip Bucksbaum and his contributions to communi- Labs to her eventual academic home physics of climate include fluid Statement on Climate Change and presented Yao with the George cating about physics, recognition he of City College of New York. dynamics, modeling of nonlinear a subsequent 2010 Climate Change E. Valley Prize “for the elucida- extended to his wife Nancy Abrams. Sarachik is the fifth recipient systems, the physics of complex Commentary (these statements, tion of non-equilibrium quantum In his remarks, Primack empha- of the APS Medal, which carries a systems, gas phase physics and available at go.aps.org/2PkFjiQ, are phases of matter, in particular time sized the importance of science cash prize of $50,000, a certificate chemistry, radiation/heat transfer, archival and superseded by the 2015 crystalline order, and for enabling in society to effectively influence citing the contribution made by phase transitions, measurement APS Statement on Earth’s Changing the realization of these phases in public policy issues. the recipient, and an invited talk Climate, available at go.aps. quantum optical systems.” In a brief Bucksbaum then introduced at the APS March or April Meeting. org/2obnmsh). These statements GPC CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 address, Yao described both his Sarachik, presenting her with The George E. Valley Jr. Prize and research and the previous work that the APS Medal for Exceptional the Julius Edgar Lilienfeld Prize provided the basis for his success, Achievement in Research. Sarachik both consist of $10,000, certificates and thanked those influential in is an experimental condensed citing the contributions made by his physics career, including his matter physicist, a member of the the recipient, and invited talks at TM high school physics teacher who National Academy of Sciences, a the March or April meetings. was present for the event. Fellow of APS, the American Primack was awarded the Julius Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Physical Society Seeks New CEO Edgar Lilienfeld Prize “for seminal New York Academy of Sciences, For more about APS Honors, visit aps. The American Physical Society (APS) seeks a compelling leader contributions to our understanding and the American Association for org/programs/honors/. with top-level management experience as its next CEO to create a high- performance culture that inspires members, staff, and the broader physical sciences community. The APS is a strong and successful 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership PROGRAMS corporation, headquartered in College Park, Maryland with offices in Ridge, New York and in Washington, DC. The new CEO will advance the mission The CUWiP Experience at Yale of the world’s leading physics professional society with a budget of $68 BY LEAH POFFENBERGER million, leading and managing more than 55,000 members and 250 staff. The ideal candidate is excited by the evolution of scientific discovery n a blustery Friday after- and research dissemination, the changing scientific publishing landscape, noon in January, nearly and opportunities to ensure long-term sustainability of the Society. They will O 200 undergraduate women address membership growth and retention, effective meeting strategies, seeking degrees in physics arrived and will further strengthen APS through collaboration with scientists and at the Sloane Physics Laboratory staff at all levels of the profession. The successful CEO will: on the Yale University campus, • Possess excellent management, strategic, communication, and full of excitement for the coming diplomacy skills weekend. Over the next two days, • Advance and diffuse the knowledge of physics attendees would have the chance to • Engage, support, and further energize an active, multidisciplinary, network with their peers, hear from and diverse membership accomplished women in physics, • Advance scientific discovery and research dissemination through and gather resources for their future world class journals and meetings physics careers. Yale was one of 13 regional sites • Advocate for physics and physicists, amplifying the voice for science hosting undergraduate students • Promote effective physics education at all levels from January 17 to 19 for the • Promote opportunities for underrepresented groups, valuing diversity, Conferences for Undergraduate inclusion, and equity Women in Physics (CUWiP), an • Bring their own vision and values to a highly functioning strategic annual event that provides a Undergraduate women at a poster session at the Yale CUWiP conference framework, implementing initiatives through clear business processes, professional conference experi- IMAGE: EMILY KUHN/YALE UNIVERSITY goals, and resource allocation ence, information about graduate The top candidate will be a qualified scientific leader with knowledge of school and careers, and networking Yale professor Meg Urry—the physics department at Harvard, and the U.S. legislative process, science policy, and global scientific collaboration. opportunities. first woman to have a tenured co-discoverer of the Higgs Boson They will have experience with the needs of diverse, multidisciplinary As students trickled in on the position in the department of and the top quark. audiences and appreciate the intricacies of working with member-elected first day of the conference, they physics at Yale—officially opened Franklin kicked off the plenary governing bodies. They will manage, lead, and inspire staff and members were greeted by Yale student vol- the conference with a welcome by introducing her physics role to accelerate organizational change and resilience. unteers and went on a tour of the address, remarking on the status of model, Nobel Laureate Maria Jackie Eder-Van Hook, PhD, President, Transition Management Consulting, world-class research facilities at women in physics and the need for Goeppert Mayer, a pioneer for Inc. is conducting this search for APS. Interested candidates should read the Yale Quantum Institute and diversity and equity in the field. Urry women in physics who Franklin the Organizational and Candidate Profile at TransitionCEO.com/careers the Wright Laboratory. A hands-on was followed by the first plenary describes as “a smoking, drinking and submit their cover letter, resume, and salary expectations as soon as workshop at the Wright Lab taught speaker of the conference: Melissa desperado.” Franklin’s talk was possible, but not later than Thursday, April 30, 2020. Questions should be students the basics of particle Franklin, a member of the ATLAS mailed to [email protected]. detectors as they built their own detector collaboration at CERN, the light-sensing micro-detectors. first woman to receive tenure in the CUWIP CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 4 • March 2020

NMC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

The first day of the confer- Observatory (LIGO), who had LIGO’s International Students are Key to a Strong Economy ence offered attendees a tour of results translated into Blackfoot, to BY JAMES VARY Kennedy Space Center, as well as connect the discovery to Blackfoot The Historically Black Colleges culture. Note: The Cedar-Rapids Gazette first physics departments responsible and Universities (HBCU) and Black The second plenary, “The Value of published this op-ed on February 3. for training and educating more Serving Institutions (BSI) Chairs Mentoring, Personal Perspectives,” Iowa State University physics pro- than 70 percent of the nation’s Summit 2020. The HBCU and BSI featured three NMC students: Elon fessor James Vary timed the piece for physics PhDs dropped 22 percent Chairs Summit convenes physics Price, Xandira Quichocho, and Dave publication around the Iowa caucuses during the past two years. department chairs to discuss strat- Austin. The speakers shared their to capture the attention of aspiring Fortunately, our US Sens. Joni egies to increase the number of experiences with being a part of presidential candidates and key elected Ernst and Chuck Grassley are in a physics bachelor’s degrees awarded the mentoring community and the officials within the state. position to help by co-sponsoring to African American students, a impact their mentors had on their the Keep STEM Talent Act, which mission that matches that of the lives and careers. s the Iowa caucuses draw would enable high-skilled inter- NMC. A third plenary kicked off near, the presidential candi- national graduate students to both “The number of African the third day of the conference: dates should let voters know study at US universities and [would] American students pursing a A Tabbetha Dobbins, an associate where they stand on ensuring our provide a path to a green card if they Bachelor of Science in physics professor at Rowan University, nation continues to attract the secure job offers from US employers James Vary is decreasing, and this summit introduced findings from an best and brightest students from after graduation. Both Ernst and brought physics department chairs American Institute of Physics task around the world to keep America Grassley sit on the Senate Judiciary together to solve this problem,” force investigating the reasons for as a science and technology global Committee, which has jurisdiction able to stay upon graduation and said Imisi Agbaniyaka, Diversity persistent underrepresentation leader. over the legislation. The presidential work for American companies on Programs Coordinator at APS. “A of African Americans in physics The reason? Science and tech- candidates should also take note crucial research that impacts issues focus of the summit was how to (see FYI below right). The Task nological advancements have been because Iowans care about science. most voters care about, including recruit and retain students and Force to Elevate African American the predominant drivers of gross In fact, in a survey jointly conducted health care and national security. provide them with opportunities Representation in Undergraduate domestic product growth during by Research! America and Science Our country needs the best and like research experiences at national Physics and Astronomy (TEAM-UP) the past half-century, according to Debate, 74 percent of respondents brightest students—both domestic labs.” uncovered long-term and systemic a study by the American Academy said it is important that presidential and international—to keep our On the following morning, issues within the physics com- of Arts & Sciences. In Iowa, for candidates talk about how science STEM workforce pipeline viable, conference attendees dove into a munity and suggested actionable example, we can boast of more and scientific research will affect and that includes Iowa, which has variety of workshops. Mentors and solutions. effective and efficient ways to farm their policymaking decisions. more than 12,000 open STEM jobs, faculty had workshops on topics A networking fair followed, and because of science. More than half of the students according to a report by the Iowa such as creating a more inclusive students and faculty had the chance Our nation’s role as a global conducting research in my theo- Governor’s STEM Advisory Council. department, advising students to attend another round of work- leader in innovation, however, retical physics group at Iowa State To achieve that goal, the US Senate about career paths, and how to be shops, from bystander training remains in jeopardy as the number University are from outside the should pass the Keep STEM Talent a more effective mentor. Students to managing a healthy work-life of international students applying country, so I know firsthand the Act. And Ernst and Grassley are were able to learn about creating balance. for physics PhDs at essential US concerns international students integral to making that happen. effective resumes, hear about the For many of the students, the institutions [is] experiencing have about studying physics in best methods of finding under- opportunity to spend time with a major decline. According to a the US. First, they are concerned The author is a physics professor at graduate research experiences, and their mentors in a casual setting survey by the American Physical about simply getting here because Iowa State University, an APS Fellow, get advice on applying to graduate and to network with their peers Society, international applications of visa delays. Once here, they and a descendant of Iowa immigrant school. at other physics institutions is a to a representative subset of the worry about whether they will be farmers. “A highlight of the conference crucial part of their NMC confer- was Nicole Cabrera-Salazar’s ence experience. Signal Boost is a monthly email video newsletter workshop on empowered men- “One of the things that helps alerting APS members to policy issues and identifying toring,” said Agbaniyaka. “She solidify mentor/mentee relation- opportunities to get involved. Past issues are available provided insight into the under- ships are these conferences. They at go.aps.org/2nr298D. Join Our Mailing List: visit the sign-up page at go.aps.org/2nqGtJP. represented minority student give us the ability to interact outside experience and tools on how to be of an academic setting—it’s a more a better mentor, like understanding natural interaction,” said Alexander that being a student is a multi- Vasquez, a physics student at Texas FYI: SCIENCE POLICY NEWS FROM AIP faceted experience.” State University who is mentored Between workshops, attendees by Olmstead. “This conference is gathered for the first plenary the most valuable asset in the NMC session “A Wrinkle in Space Time: in my opinion—I get to see other Task Force Urges ‘Systemic Changes’ to Support Connecting Gravitational Waves minority physics majors and know and Albert Einstein with Blackfoot that I’m not alone.” African American Students in Physics Culture.” The speaker, Corey Gray, BY ALLISON GASPARINI is a member of the Siksika nation To learn more about the National and a lead operator at the Laser Mentoring Community, visitaps.org/ task force report published last sets the goal of at least doubling Interferometer Gravitational-Wave programs/minorities/nmc/. month (go.aps.org/2ur0c4J) the annual number of African A by the American Institute Americans who earn bachelor’s of Physics offers a framework for degrees in the fields by 2030. addressing the persistent underrep- Based on surveys of students resentation of African Americans in and site visits to five depart- Corrections physics and astronomy. It maintains ments, the task force concludes that faculty, academic departments, that financial challenges are “one of In the January 2020 issue (p. 4) an article about methane and professional societies must the greatest difficulties” that face cial support, the task force also calls regulation was accompanied by an image of the methane embrace new ways of approaching African Americans seeking to study on department faculty to ensure molecule obtained from a stock photo company. The im- the problem in order to bring about physics or astronomy. In addition, their academic support systems age is incorrect and has been corrected online. the “systemic changes” it argues they observe that departments that recognize students’ capabilities and are needed to make significant have demonstrated the most success build on their strengths. The task The Back Page article on the Physical Review A, B, C, and progress. in supporting African American force states that academic support D 50th anniversary (February 2020) gave the date of the According to statistics cited by students also face financial chal- too often is “approached from the student deficit model — the idea founding of Reviews of Modern Physics as 1919. The date the task force, between 1997 and lenges themselves. 2017 the proportion of physics bach- Accordingly, the task force calls that minoritized students have, has been corrected to 1929 online. elor’s degrees awarded to African for physical science societies to as a consequence of their identity, American students dropped from establish a $50 million endowment learning challenges making them about 5% to 4% as the overall dedicated to supporting minority less capable than others.” number of physics bachelor’s students with financial needs in The task force also stresses the degrees awarded in the US doubled. physics and astronomy. Half of importance of developing students’ The report also notes that during the endowment would directly sense of “physics identity,” which this same period the proportion of support African American students it defines as “how one sees oneself African American students earning and the remainder would support with respect to physics as a pro- bachelor’s degrees in other STEM other financially marginalized fession.” It states physics identity North American Minority Serving Institutions and community colleges can receive up to $1,000 per fields increased. groups as well as departments’ is strengthened when there are year to host guest speakers for colloquium or To investigate the failure to implementation of the task force’s same-race faculty members to seminar presentations. improve diversity in physics and recommendations. Among its serve as role models and when Inspire your students to pursue physics as a astronomy, AIP formed a 10 member department-level recommendations students are “routinely invited career, and expose them to the breadth of physics research. study panel in 2017 co-chaired by are for faculty to help alleviate indi- and financially supported to par- Mary James, a physics professor vidual students’ financial burdens ticipate in established activities of and dean for institutional diver- by providing employment oppor- the profession.” However, it also sity at Reed College, and Edmund tunities connected to their major, states that “lone champions” are Learn more and apply Bertschinger, a physics professor such as paid research internships not enough to effect needed cultural and former equity officer at MIT. and teaching assistantships. In calling for action, the task force In parallel with increased finan- TASK FORCE CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 March 2020 • 5

MEETINGS JOURNALS Machine Learning Takes Hold in the Physical Sciences Mirjam Cvetič Selected as Lead BY DAVID VOSS Editor of Physical Review D n recent years, the techniques PS has appointed Mirjam of machine learning (ML) have Cvetič, Fay R. and Eugene become an essential part of the I L. Langberg Professor in computational toolkit of physical A the Department of Physics and scientists in fields ranging from Astronomy at the University of astrophysics to fluid dynamics. Pennsylvania, as the Lead Editor of In October 2018, for example, Physical Review D (PRD). She takes the APS Editorial Office hosted over this role from Erick Weinberg one of their ongoing series of of Columbia University, who has “Physics Next”workshops on the served as PRD’s Lead Editor since topic of machine learning, which September 1996. Cvetič will begin has now been summarized in her new role March 1, 2020. an article in Reviews of Modern “I am delighted to welcome Physics (G. Carleo et al. DOI: 10.1103/ Mirjam Cvetič as the new Lead RevModPhys.91.045002). Editor of PRD. Her energy, wisdom ML comprises an array of algo- and broad vision will be a great asset rithms and methods for extracting in guiding PRD towards a bright patterns from large data sets, tech- future” said Michael Thoennessen, niques that have been enabled by APS Editor in Chief. “I also would advances in image recognition like to take this opportunity to and computational power. Most Machine learning can identify structurally similar materials and determine thank Erick Weinberg, who led Mirjam Cvetič researchers consider ML to be part which of the many predicted structures should be most stable under certain the journal superbly for almost of a wider effort in the general thermodynamic constraints, such as the ice phases shown here [From G. Carelo et al., Rev. Mod. Phys. 91, 045002 (2019)]. 24 years.” field of artificial intelligence (AI). Cvetič received her PhD from the of Maribor, Slovenia. She is a Fellow The article by Carleo et al. begins University of Maryland with a thesis of APS and Elected Member of the with an overview of ML methods, ment learning. The review then systems, and quantum computing. titled “Origin of Mass Hierarchies European Academy of Sciences including supervised and unsuper- goes on to specific applications in For the field of fluid mechanics, in Gauge Theories.” After working and Art. vised learning, neural networks, statistical physics, particle physics, at the Stanford Linear Accelerator “It is an honor to be appointed generative modeling, and reinforce- cosmology, many-body quantum ML CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 Center as a research associate, she the PRD lead editor,” said Cvetič. took a second postdoc position at the “I am looking forward to working University of Pennsylvania where with its dedicated staff and editorial LIU CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 she subsequently joined the faculty. board to advance its key role as the premier journal of the broad high Council meetings more engaging, cilors can understand the process especially ones that may have a She holds a secondary appointment energy community.” so that councilors actually want to provide more input. hard time coming to the US due to in the Department of Mathematics to attend. They don’t want to just The second thing I want to focus visa or health issues. And we can and is also a member of the Center rubber-stamp things—they want on is diversity, equity, and inclusion. involve younger members because for Applied Mathematics and For more on PRD, visit journals.aps. to make a difference. They can There were two very distressing the cost will be lower. Theoretical Physics at the University org/prd. do that by communicating to the statistics recently, one having to What else would you like Council what the units think and do with the number of undergrad members to know? communicating back to the units women in physics surveyed at the I mentioned this at the recent what transpired at the meeting on APS Conferences for Undergraduate APS Annual Leadership Meeting, important issues and challenges Women in Physics (CUWiP) who but I think many of our members that face us. reported having experienced some feel vulnerable. Our early career That is where the Speaker can form of sexual harassment—it is members are worried about finding do something because as Speaker about 75%. And the other is the the right career path, and given I set the agenda for the Council recent TEAM-UP report from the the uncertainty of our times the meeting. I’m trying to clear room on American Institute of Physics stresses are higher than ever. And APS Honors the schedule at the Council meeting showing that the percentage of women and especially underrepre- for small group discussions on African Americans earning bache- ese sieide ies d ds eie sented minorities—why are there ievees ss ieds sis ese side important issues. lor’s degrees in physics has dropped so many problems for us, why are ii desevi ees e i I’m asking councilors to attend in the 20 years from 1995 to 2015 there so few of us in physics after all two hour-long virtual meetings from 5% to under 4%. These are these years, what’s going on? They, APS Medal for Exceptional Achievement in Research before the council meeting to learn really disturbing numbers, and we along with our LGBTQ members Deadline: , 2020 what is going on before the actual need to think about how to do more. are really worried by the backlash meeting. There are always presen- APS has really excellent activities in society against diversity and Dannie Heineman Prize for Mathematical Physics tations from various officers on directed at these issues that many civility, and whether it’s going to Deadline: e , 2020 important issues. We get reports of us aren’t aware of. affect them here in our community. from the CEO, the Editor in Chief, So at one of the virtual meetings Our international members, Edward A. Bouchet Award the Publisher, the Treasurer and we’ll hear from APS Programs especially those working here on Deadline: e , 2020 so forth, and we could do some of Director Monica Plisch about temporary visas, are very nervous those reports remotely before the what the APS is doing—really about their status and future pros- George E. Valley, Jr. Prize Council meeting. We will also learn interesting and important activi- pects and whether they are welcome Deadline: e , 2020 important background from com- ties. And we’ll ask if one of the in this country. Industrial members mittees and APS staff to prepare us TEAM-UP co-chairs, Mary James are facing job insecurity and our Julius Edgar Lilienfeld Prize for the small group discussions. or Ed Bertschinger, could report on members at government labs are Deadline: e , 2020 What do you see as your the results of that work. These will facing more restrictions, continual priorities for your term as precede the more in-depth small budget pressure, and fears that Maria Goeppert Mayer Award Speaker? group discusssions at the Council their roles are not valued at all. Our Deadline: e , 2020 There are three issues I’d like the meeting. members doing academic research Council to discuss. One is science The third thing is that I’d like are faced with increasingly inad- Prize for a Faculty Member for Research at an policy. The Council has not been the Council to discuss meetings. equate and unreliable funding, Undergraduate Institution very active in gathering input APS has established a task force to with fluctuations that can end Deadline: e , 2020 for the APS Office of Government make recommendations on how to their research careers even when Affairs about what members think improve the APS March Meeting. research is going well. LeRoy Apker Award For Undergraduates is important to focus on. I’d like to Also, there’s a pet project of mine, What I want our members to Deadline: e , 2020 use the council meetings to do that to discuss the idea of APS running know is that APS has activities and have councilors come to the small virtual workshops. We’re and programs designed to help evi divese d isive i siiss meeting having already discussed going to have to learn to meet and with all of these issues. That’s why dide is i iis with the unit leaders what the top exchange scientific ideas in a sus- APS is so important. I’ve been on e d ees deeeseed ii priorities are, so that we can pass tainable way. We can’t just keep the council for several years and I s e esei eed them up. jetting around everywhere. The am still learning more about the As part of this, in the virtual technology is getting there and APS all the time. The Society has a meeting beforehand, we will I’d like APS to figure out how to dedicated and terrific staff working ask Francis Slakey, the Chief do this in a useful way. to help us, so we members need to Government Affairs Officer, and Small virtual workshops could know about that, take advantage Dan Dahlberg, the chair of the APS draw in industrial members who of it, and have a voice in helping LEARN MORE: aps.org/programs/honors Panel on Public Affairs (POPA), to can’t afford the time to go to a APS become even more effective. talk about the process for deciding five-day conference but could which issues to focus on and which attend a half-day focused virtual issues APS should make official workshop. It’s a way to better For more about APS activities, visit statements about, so that the coun- involve our international members, aps.org. 6 • March 2020

REYNOLDS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 COLLABORATION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 as well as biologists studying the a dislike of academic pretensions. tion, featured prominent scientists movement through fluid of organ- He was somewhat reserved, “occa- with strong ties to international isms across size scales, from whales sionally combative and tenacious in science policy. (high Reynolds number) to bacteria debate,” yet still “the most kindly Chu, now the William R. (low Reynolds number). and genial of companions.” Kenan Jr. Professor of Physics and His more pragmatic research Further Reading: Professor of Molecular and Cellular interests included the physics of Avila, K. et al., ”The onset of turbulence in Physiology at Stanford University granular materials, specifically soil pipe flow,”Science 333, 192 (2011). and President of the American mechanics: modeling water flow Dowson, D., “Osborne Reynolds cente- Association for the Advancement of and sediment transport in rivers. nary, 1886-1986,” Proceedings of the Science, kicked off the International Reynolds published a book in 1903, Institution of Mechanical Engineers Leadership Forum with a keynote The Sub-Mechanics of the Universe, 201, 75 (1987). address titled “Rising Above the which attempted to explain the Lamb, H., “Osborne Reynolds,“ Proceed- Gathering Storm: Open Science and universe by proposing a liquid- ings of the Royal Society 88A, xv-xxi Intellectual Property.” The storm David Reitze Christopher Monroe state aether. But the concept of (1912-13). that Chu refers to is the growing the aether soon gave way to new Reynolds, O., “An experimental investi- concern about competition from physics, thanks in part to the gation of the circumstances which other countries, notably China, and dogged persistence,” said Reitze. systems can be realistically applied. Michelson-Morley experiment in determine whether the motion of how over-reaction to that concern After a brief coffee break, the The two largest areas of interest water shall be direct or sinuous, and 1887, which showed no evidence can harm US fundamental science. Forum reconvened for a spirited are encryption and optimization of the law of resistance in parallel discussion on international col- problems. Encryption, which can for the substance. channels,” Proceedings of the Royal A major aspect of this “storm” Reynolds retired in 1905 as his Society of London 35, 84 (1883). is increased worry from Congress laboration. The panel discussion, impact national security, has drawn health, and mind, were failing, that basic research secrets will be moderated by APS Past President investment in quantum computing Purcell, E., “Life at low Reynolds number,” even though he was still relatively American Journal of Physics 45, 1 stolen from the US and used by David Gross, included science and from various government agencies, young at 60. He died on February (1977). China to quickly jump ahead with policy experts from around the but according to Monroe, using world: Jonathan Bagger, Director 21, 1912. Lamb remembered him as Rott, N. “Note on the history of the new products and innovations. quantum systems for optimiza- being strongly individualistic, with Reynolds number,“ Annual Review In order to combat these issues of TRIUMF in Canada; Rob Adam, tion—likely providing a boost to little interest in self-promotion and of Fluid Mechanics 22, 1 (1990). and “rise above the storm,” Chu Director of Square Kilometer Array the economy—is becoming the advocates for a similar approach in South Africa; Krishnaswamy more popular application and thus to that of the 1950s Sputnik era: VijayRaghavan, Principal Scientific is changing the agencies that are rather than taking a strictly defen- Adviser to the Government of India; investing in the technology. sive and isolationist approach to Fabio Zwirner, Steering Committee A panel focused on interna- international competition, Chu says Chair, International Centre tional competition, moderated by the US should respond by directly for Theoretical Physics; Arthur Phil Bucksbaum, rounded out the APS Fellowship competing to out-pace other coun- Bienenstock, Associate Director, event. The invited panelists were: tries in innovation. “The proper Wallenberg Research Link, Stanford Peter Knight, Senior Research ei iis response to Chinese investment [in University; Marta Losada, Dean of Investigator, Department of Physics, technology] is to make ours even Science and Professor of Physics, Imperial College London; Petra better,” said Chu. New York University-Abu Dhabi. Rudolf, President of the European In his plenary talk, Reitze Each panelist was able to offer Physical Society; Andrea Liu, provided an example of the potential a unique perspective on various Hepburn Professor of Physics at of international collaboration in the facets of international collabora- the University of Pennsylvania esi is disi siii success of the Laser Interferometer tion, extending beyond the issues and Speaker of the APS Council; Gravitational-Wave Observatory that specifically impact the United Siegfried Hecker, Senior Fellow, eii es essi ees (LIGO) and its ground-breaking States. Like Chu, VijayRaghavan sees Center for International Security ese side ii ees detection of gravitational waves. potential for scientific collaboration and Cooperation, Stanford; Craig ve de eei iis e His presentation, “Detecting to be ignited by issues like climate Mundie, President of Mundie & Gravitational Waves: The Role of and energy that exist on a global sis eeise Associates; and Steven Chu. Large International Collaborations” scale. A major theme of the panel A central tenet of the panel Deadlines through Spring detailed the process of developing discussion that emerged was the discussions wasn’t the competi- LIGO, its subsequent discoveries, importance of restoring trust in tion for technology or ideas, but science and improving efforts to evi divese d isive i and the collaborative spirit that the international race to attract made these discoveries possible. communicate about science to the the best and brightest minds—a siiss dide is i As a collaboration made up of more general public and policy makers. competition some panelists fear iis e d ees than 1300 scientists representing 18 The second half of the day may be impeded in the US due to deeeseed ii s e countries, LIGO serves as a model changed focus from international visa constraints on students from of what can be accomplished with collaboration to international com- esei eed countries like China. When it comes international cooperation. petition. Monroe is no stranger to to competition within research, competition in the developing field The LIGO effort originally came Hecker, a former director of Sandia Learn More: go.aps.org/fellowship of quantum information science together in 1997 as a self-governing National Laboratory, advocated for (QIS)—an area he called “com- collaboration with no barrier to a balance between keeping essential petition on steroids.” Large tech entry. That culture of openness has research secret, but creating an companies, like IBM and Google, continued, as members of the col- environment in which the right are racing to create larger and laboration value “cooperation over people can be gathered to look at better quantum computers, and the competition,” according to Reitze. crucial problems. In the case of large LIGO faced the same challenges spirit of competition also extends global issues like climate change or as other large-scale international internationally due to the potential nuclear reactor safety Hecker adds, collaborations, from scientific and applications of quantum systems “maybe it’s not so bad if some of technical issues to sociological and in bolstering national security and our methodology is stolen.” cultural differences, but a system of facilitating economic growth. BRIDGE robust conflict resolution kept LIGO At IonQ, Monroe says they have PROGRAM together. “Overcoming these chal- built four quantum systems using lenges requires diligence, patience, trapped ion qubits, and the next To view these talks online, visit go.aps. understanding, self-sacrifice, and challenge is figuring out how these org/32uBkFS.

Student Applications Now Open ML CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 The APS Bridge Program is an effort to an invited article in Physical Review Another indication of the entirely on the theme of “Frontiers increase the number of Fluids (M. P. Brenner et al. DOI: rise of machine learning is the of Computation: Machine Learning physics PhDs awarded 10.1103/PhysRevFluids.4.100501) increasing number of ML sessions and Quantum Computing.” to underrepresented mentions some specific cases where and workshops at the APS March With the increased interest minority students. ML can be applied to two-dimen- and April meetings. At the 2020 in ML in the physical sciences, sional turbulence, the physics of fish March Meeting, for example, physicists may not only benefit schooling, and turbulent combus- there are pre-meeting events on from algorithmic advances but help tion. Both Brenner et al. and Carleo “Machine Learning for Polymer advance ML. As Carleo et al. write, DEADLINE: MARCH 30, 2020 et al. consider one the prime chal- Physicists,” “Deep Learning for “As machine learning is incorpo- APSBRIDGEPROGRAM.ORG lenges of ML in physics: physicists Image Processing Applications,” and rated into the physicist’s toolbox, it want to learn about the mechanisms “Machine Learning in Statistical is reasonable to expect that physi- underlying observation, whereas ML and Nonlinear Physics.” One of cists may shed light on some of tends toward black-box recognition the keynote events, the Kavli the notoriously difficult questions of patterns in data. Foundation Special Symposium, was machine learning is facing.” March 2020 • 7

GPC CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 CUWIP CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 science, computational physics, sion on the physics of climate. In peppered with humor, describing from quantum computing and geo- brought student research into statistics, and biological physics. addition, current GPC chair Bill Goeppert Mayer’s career as a theo- physics to LGBTQ+ in physics to the spotlight, giving attendees a Given this wide scope, GPC has Collins (Lawrence Berkeley National retical physicist, how Goeppert imposter syndrome. chance to present their research in a highly interdisciplinary member- Laboratory) and past GPC chair Mayer asked questions that continue On Saturday afternoon, all 13 either a poster session or a research ship base of more than 400 people. Chris Forest (Penn State) will be to shape particle physics today, and conference sites connected virtu- talk. Nearly 30 students presented In terms of members’ other affili- featured in Tuesday’s “Student sharing her own perspectives on ally for the APS Keynote Address, posters to their peers, Yale student ations, many GPC members hail Lunch with the Experts,” where being an experimentalist. given by Andrea Liu, a Professor volunteers, and faculty members. from the Division of Fluid Dynamics they will discuss opportunities To start the morning on day in the Department of Physics and Eighteen students gave 15-minute (DFD) and the Division of Condensed for physicists in tackling climate two, a panel titled “This is How Astronomy at the University of talks detailing their research in Matter Physics (DCMP, see APS News change. I Got here” featured five women Pennsylvania and Speaker of the APS sessions that mimicked the envi- April 2019). In terms of subject Climate science engages not in physics with different back- Council. After an intriguing talk on ronment of a larger professional matter, there is also a great deal of only physicists but also chemists, grounds and career paths: Ágnes her work in soft matter theory, Liu conference. synergy with the Topical Group on mathematicians, statisticians, and Mócsy, a Professor of Physics and answered questions from all sites, Yale professor and nuclear Nonlinear and Statistical Physics oceanic and atmospheric scien- Astronomy at the Pratt Institute giving insight into the challenges and particle astrophysicist Reina (GNSP). tists, making GPC an important in Brooklyn, NY, who studies the of achieving diversity in physics, Maruyama spoke at the third and Amidst international debate over entry-point to APS for researchers intersection of science and art; naming her favorite equations final plenary, giving a personal talk how to address the climate crisis with an academic home outside of Alia Jackson, who teaches physics (Maxwell’s—which she described as detailing her journey in physics (and in some cases, over-framing physics. “The APS March Meeting at Curtis High School in Staten “beautiful”), and offering important and her search for physics beyond climate change as a true crisis), is off the beaten track for leading Island, NY and is also an Adjunct perspective on physics: “Being able the standard model as part of nothing could be more timely researchers in climate science, so Professor at the College of Staten to stand feeling stupid may actually collaborations like IceCube and than scientific work to refine our it’s exciting to draw them in for a Island; Sophia Suarez, an Associate be the key to being successful in COSINE-100. She closed the session understanding of the nature of day of discussion with physicists Professor in the physics depart- research.” She added, “when you by offering what she called “unso- climate change. According to Adria interested in the topic,” noted Silber. ment at Brooklyn College in the finally make a breakthrough, it’s licited advice” to the attendees, Schwarber (University of Maryland), Likewise, “we find there is a lot of City University of New York and worth it—it’s an incredible high.” ending with a heartfelt reminder the student representative on GPC’s curiosity about climate research former National Research Council Following a networking fair, the to “be kind to others [and] be kind executive committee, one of the among physicists, especially the fellow; Jacquelynn Garofano, a second plenary of the conference to yourself.” topics of highest interest in climate young ones worried about the future program manager for the Margaret featured astronomy and astro- At a final lunch breakout session, science is narrowing the uncer- of the planet.” Ingels Engineering Development physics researcher Lousie Edwards, attendees split into small groups tainty of climate sensitivity, or the Beyond stimulating content Program at United Technologies; an assistant professor in the Cal Poly led by Yale graduate student vol- amount of warming in the atmo- at March Meeting, GPC publishes and Priyamvada Natarajan, a Yale San Luis Obispo Physics department. unteers with different backgrounds sphere associated with increases in a biannual newsletter with the professor with joint appointments Edwards took conference attendees for a discussion on the intersec- atmospheric carbon dioxide. Last latest updates in climate science. in the Astronomy and Physics on a journey to the stars, detailing tion of identity and physics. The August marked the 40th anni- In contrast to much of the popular departments, and author. The her work studying the formation of closing ceremony featured a short versary of the landmark Charney science writing on climate science, panelists described their own dif- cluster galaxies and their evolution. talk highlighting the APS STEP UP report, which famously estimated GPC’s newsletter is tailored to ferent journeys to find fulfilling She also shared her passion for program, which is designed to reach that a doubling of atmospheric physicists, in a way that fosters careers and provided tips to the outreach and encouraging students high school students and improve carbon dioxide would translate to appreciation of the results as well as students—things they would have to go out and get involved in the the number of women pursuing warming of 3 ± 1.5 ℃. As Schwarber the challenges that climate change told their younger selves. physics community. degrees in physics. Prizes were explained, “this range in climate poses. After a coffee break that allowed The evening was rounded out awarded for poster session pre- sensitivity is remarkably close GPC also offers two $500 travel attendees to rub elbows with the by a brief dinner talk from Yale sentations and trivia night wins, to the range we estimate today, grants to help one graduate student panelists and ask additional ques- professor Sarah Demers titled “Not and Yale volunteers and the local though we currently have a more and one early career investigator tions, students spent the rest of the a Work-Life Balance Talk.” Demers, organizing committee were recog- detailed understanding of climate cover the costs of participating in morning in different workshops on who serves as a faculty advisor to nized for their hard work to bring change.” Ultimately, narrowing the a GPC-related session at the March a variety of physics or career related CUWiP, prefers to not think about together an engaging and exciting uncertainty in climate sensitivity Meeting. topics. Opportunities to network having a career and a life as a bal- CUWiP weekend. is an important step in refining Looking forward, the GPC execu- and learn more about aspects of ancing act, rather she told students our projections of future warming physics and careers continued in “Be centered, not balanced: Know tive committee hopes for continued For more information about next due to anthropogenic emissions. membership growth and oppor- an informal setting for students to yourself, what you love, and what year’s CUWiP and important appli- Silber points out that another very tunities for engagement between eat lunch, ask questions, and get to you care about.” cation dates, visit aps.org/programs/ timely topic is the development of the physics research community know a topic expert. Topics ranged The final day of the conference women/workshops/cuwip.cfm approaches to investigating rare and the climate research com- events and climate extremes, which munity. “I would like to see more have been occurring with increasing graduate students and early-career frequency in recent years. scientists get involved with GPC,” GPC will host one invited session added Schwarber. “It is a small, but TASK FORCE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 at the APS March Meeting in Denver, dedicated community where every titled “Predictability of the Climate individual can make an outsized changes within departments, and creates anxiety that harms their The author is a writer for FYI. System.” This session will focus on impact, including shaping how APS that departments should create performance. Among their recom- recent advances toward predicting and the broader community relate incentives for all faculty to foster mendations for fostering physics Published by the American Earth’s climate from sub-seasonal to climate science.” a supportive environment. identity and belonging, the task Institute of Physics since 1989, to decadal time scales, and across Overall, GPC stands out as an The task force also observes that force suggests professional societies FYI is a trusted source of science transitions and extremes. It will exciting interdisciplinary commu- developing a sense of “belonging” form a consortium dedicated to policy news that is read by con- bring together scientists working nity and a valuable mechanism for is important for mitigating phe- addressing “identity-based harass- gressional staff, federal agency on a variety of approaches, from physicists to stay connected to the nomena such as stereotype threat, ment,” using the recently launched heads, and leading figures in the dynamical modeling to data mining latest climate-relevant research. wherein a minority student’s fear Societies Consortium on Sexual scientific community. Sign up for to analysis grounded in funda- More information on this unit can of confirming a negative stereotype Harassment in STEMM as a model. free FYI emails at aip.org/fyi mental physical principles. be found here: aps.org/units/gpc GPC is also hosting a Thursday evening “climate cafe” at the March Meeting, an informal social event The author is a freelance writer in intended to spark further discus- Stockholm, Sweden Resources for Underrepresented Minorities in Physics APS offers a number of programs to support for recruitment, admissions, and retention of African Americans and other underrepresented women and underrepresented ethnic and racial minorities in physics: minorities: apsbridgeprogram.org/igen/ The National Mentoring Community The newly formed APS Forum on Diversity supports mentoring relationships between and Inclusion works to ensure that all physicists, African American, Hispanic American, and particularly those from historically or currently Native American undergraduate physics students marginalized or underrepresented backgrounds and local physics mentors: aps.org/programs/ or identities, will be fully included and have the minorities/nmc/. opportunity to thrive within the physics com- The APS Bridge Program works to increase munity: aps.org/units/fdi/ the number of physics PhDs awarded to under- represented minority students, including African The APS Site Visits program provides an American, Hispanic American, and Native outside appraisal of the environment experienced American students: apsbridgeprogram.org. by women and minorities within a department The Inclusive Graduate Education Network or lab, and provides suggestions to leadership builds on the successful APS Bridge Program by for interventions or changes that can address working with other scientific societies to create practices that might limit or reduce participation a national network of disciplinary colleagues, by underrepresented groups: aps.org/programs/ expert researchers, and representatives from women/sitevisits/. professional associations who will develop Other APS Programs Department resources evidence-based knowledge of effective practices can be found at aps.org/programs/minorities/. 8 • March 2020 THE BACK PAGE

The Women of Fluid Mechanics: Personal Stories and Practical Advice BY COURTNEY OTANI AND DAVID HU

Note: This jointly authored article contains the personal college could fulfill given their Hispanic backgrounds. perspective of Otani combined with a summary of the DFD Until the numbers of those in minority groups are meeting by Hu. raised to match the demand, allies should continue to take some of these responsibilities while advocating ometimes while you are in the middle of a situation for the minority. or have only existed in one type of culture for Other actions that have been more successful are S years, it is easy to become numb to and unaware making the problem tangible and promoting female of all of the cultural influences in play. I have been an figures in engineering. Both of these actions set the engineer in academia and industry for the past five tone for taking steps toward tackling the problem. and a half years now and have gotten used to the low Peko told the story of Nancy Hopkins who in 1994 numbers of women and the inequities they face. I am pioneered a study to measure how MIT discrimi- often the only woman on a project team. I have almost nated against women. She took measurements of exclusively male figure heads (professors, managers, office size and other data to prove that women were Peko Hosoi Dennice Gayme and mentors). I expected the same going into the 2019 experiencing inequality based on unconscious bias IMAGE: JOHN FREIDAH IMAGE: WILL KIRK/JHU APS Division of Fluid Dynamics (DFD) Meeting but (technologyreview.com/s/608393/measuring-up/). was glad to see that the featured workshops focused The administration sent this information immedi- on promoting women in fluid mechanics. ately to The Boston Globe because they knew that if Coming into a workshop panel session at the confer- the problem was public, change would have to occur. ence, I expected to hear much of what I have already The story is hopeful in that it shows that women, in heard or experienced. What I did not expect was that collaboration with institutions, can promote change. the population of attendees at the Division of Fluid MIT mechanical engineering is one of the depart- Dynamics Meeting is only 11% women. That statistic ments that has a 50/50 ratio of women to men among truly shocked me. Even though the engineering industry their undergraduates. Peko believes that having is still predominantly male, I thought that strides women in prominent roles such as Associate Dean were being made to increase the female population of the School of Engineering, Associate Department and promote females. If everyone else has gotten so Head of Education, and Introductory Class profes- accustomed to this current state of affairs, how are sors helped set the tone for how MIT’s Department we to expect anything to improve or change? The rest of Mechanical Engineering would be run and thus of the panel session continued to prompt provoking encouraged more women undergraduate students questions, bring to light shocking stories, and promote Nicole Sharp Monica Martinez Wilhelmus to pursue mechanical engineering. Nicole is in a concrete actions that can improve this environment. IMAGE: JOSEPH SHOER IMAGE: UC RIVERSIDE prominent role for middle and high school girls as

have worked hard and have the knowledge and capability to teach complex scientific concepts only to be immediately “I am often the only woman on a project team. I have “Seeing people with similar backgrounds and identities questioned because they are women. as you in the roles you want to fill is inspiring because almost exclusively male figure heads (professors, While these problems were recognized by the panelists managers, and mentors). I expected the same going themselves, they are difficult to address since these women you see yourself in them. Their success feels like your into the 2019 APS Division of Fluid Dynamics (DFD) were sometimes the only ones that could see the problem. success and gives you the hope that you too can achieve This is why I am glad that I attended this workshop. The what they have.... This panel discussion left me feeling Meeting but was glad to see that the featured workshops sharing of stories and awareness is a great start to addressing focused on promoting women in fluid mechanics.” - the problems that women engineers face. This workshop optimistic and determined to fight for a better future Courtney Otani created a support group and coalition of male allies who for women in engineering. Cultivating an environment are now aware of these injustices and will be able to make to empower women will bring scientific discovery and strides in calling out and fixing the situation. I believe that creating a support group outside of the women who are industry to new heights.” - Courtney Otani facing these challenges is integral to fixing the problem. The panel consisted of four accomplished women in Support amongst this minority is fundamental and necessary. fluid mechanics. However, bringing in those who are part of the oppressive Peko Hosoi, professor of mechanical engineering and majority may help to tip the balance and eventually create one of the If/Then Ambassadors. As an ambassador, she associate dean for engineering at MIT. She has been advisor space for women to succeed. makes herself visible to prove the If/Then motto: “If she to six women PhDs, and played an important role in increasing Sometimes well intended measures to balance inequity can see it, then she can be it.” I also believe that having the proportion of MIT mechanical engineering undergraduate (such as imposing quotas) are unsustainable. Women and prominent female figures can help encourage growth of students to 50% women. female representation in engineering. Seeing people with Dennice Gayme, associate professor of mechanical similar backgrounds and identities as you in the roles you engineering and Carol Croft Linde Faculty Scholar at Johns want to fill is inspiring because you see yourself in them. Hopkins University. She convinced her department chair Their success feels like your success and gives you the hope to create a diversity committee to give faculty credit for “Sometimes well intended execution of inequity balance that you too can achieve what they have. service related to diversity. such as imposing quotas is unsustainable. Women This panel discussion left me feeling optimistic and Nicole Sharp, founder of the FYFD website, which has determined to fight for a better future for women in engi- provided weekly reporting in fluid mechanics for the last and people of color are often overloaded with work neering. Cultivating an environment to empower women nine years. Her social media for the site reaches more fol- outside of their own personal research because in order will bring scientific discovery and industry to new heights. lowers than the Journal of Fluid Mechanics Twitter feed or the to make the quota, they as the only ones who meet Physical Review Fluids Twitter feed. She was also recently selected as a AAAS If/Then Ambassador. the criteria of being a woman and/or person of color Monica Martinez Wilhelmus, assistant professor of have to fill in all of those spots. ... Until the numbers mechanical engineering at UC Riverside, who when she of those in minority groups are raised to match the was hired, was the second woman in her department of 17 demand, allies should continue to take some of these men. She has since been part of the search committee and contributed to the recruitment of two more women professors. responsibilities while advocating for the minority.” In spite of their intellect, work ethic, and accomplishments, all of these women have faced and witnessed disrespect and scrutiny based on their gender. It was not as much of a surprise to me to hear that the panelists experienced people of color are often overloaded with work outside of injustices amongst colleagues. What I didn’t expect was the their own personal research because they are expected to disrespect and scrutiny from people with less authority. shoulder the extra burden. Monica shared the frustration Dennice was told by undergraduate students that she of often being called upon to do service tasks. While she needed to prove she knew the material. Nicole has been loves the work, it does take time and she often feels con- Courtney Otani (left) is a graduate student in mechanical engineering at the University of Washington. subjected to YouTube comments not related to the content flicted over refusing to participate, given the impact it has of her video but on her voice or physical appearance. These on promoting diversity. In one instance, for example, she kinds of reactions are unnecessary and disrespectful. It was asked to participate in UC Riverside’s Spanish-speaking David Hu (right) is a professor of mechanical engineering was frustrating and upsetting to know that these women student orientation—a task only two professors in the entire and biology at Georgia Tech.

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