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The campus community biweekly October 7, 2004, vol. 4, no. 14 Quarky scientist Teaming up against gravity wins Nobel Prize

strong force, one of the four fundamen­ tal forces of nature. Caltech president David Baltimore, himself a Nobel laureate, said he was Hugh David Politzer has won the 2004 pleased that another Caltech faculty Nobel Prize in physics for work he be­ member has joined the list of the Insti­ gan as a graduate student on how the tute's Nobel recipients. "It's wonderful elementary particles known as quarks are that David was acknowledged for some­ bound together to form the protons and thing that was so far back in his career," neutrons of atomic nuclei. The announce­ Baltimore said. "It shows what young ment was made on Tuesday by the Royal people can do if they think differently." Swedish Academy of Sciences. Politzer joined the Caltech faculty as a Politzer, a professor of theoretical visiting associate in 1975, the year after physics at Caltech, shares the prize with finishing his Harvard PhD in physics and David Gross and Frank Wilczek. The key three years after publishing his work on discovery celebrated by today's prize was asymptotic freedom. He earned tenure made in 1973, when Politzer, a Harvard in 1976, became a full professor in 1979, University graduate student at the time, and served as executive officer of the and two physicists working indepen­ physics department from 1986 to 1988. dently from Politzer at Princeton Univer­ A native of New York City, Politzer sity-Gross and his graduate student earned his bachelor's degree from the Wilczek-theorized that quarks actually University of Michigan in 1969. The pa­ become bound more tightly the farther per that inaugurated his Nobel Prize-win­ they get from each other. ning work, titled "Reliable Perturbative This discovery has been known for Results for Strong Interactions?", ap­ 31 years as "asymptotic freedom," and peared in the journal Physical Review is often described by physics professors Letters in 1973 and was Politzer's first to their students with the analogy of a published article. rubber band increasing in tightness as Politzer's initial foray into the public lime­ Members of C~ltech'~ incoming class of 2008 participate in a team-building exercise at the annual it is pulled apart. Asymptotic freedom light came in 1989, when he was recruited Fros~ Camp ~nenta~1~n, hel~ the week of September 19. Groups of eight students attempted to defy established quantum chromodynamics to play physicist Robert Serber in the movie grav1ty by usmg the1r mdex fmgers to lift a ring over their heads. (QCD) as the correct theory of the Fat Man and Little Boy, which recounted the story of the Manhattan Project and starred Paul Newman as the hard-driving see Nobel, page 6 Einstein feted at Shrek comes to Skirball, Caltech

Family Night The wild-haired scientist who is one of history's most famous-and who is, to A fearsome but good-hearted green ogre Annual Enrollment some degree, one of Caltech's own-is w ill be a star attraction at this year's the subject of a new local exhibition this Caltech Family Night, the kickoff for the begins on Monday fall and winter. 2004 United Way campaign. Ensure your Benefits Annual Enrollment begins this "Einstein," which showcases the Approximately 2,000 people are ex­ year on October 11 and extends to Oc­ physicist's life and work, has previously pected at Family Night, to take place vote is counted tober 29th. One change that may please been on display at the American Mu­ Friday, October 22, on the Beckman Mall. many is the return of the Blue Cross seum of Natural History in New York, The event will include two screenings After studying U.S. elections for four years, medical insurance plans. The Kaiser at the Field Museum in Chicago, and of the popular animated film Shrek 2 in experts from Caltech and MIT say that option will be offered as well. at the Museum of Science in Boston. It Beckman Auditorium. Admission stickers American voters can take seven crucial Although costs for quality health can now also be seen in Los Angeles in for the 4:15p.m . show and wristbands for steps to ensure that their votes are counted care continue to skyrocket nationally, an unusual collaboration between the the 6:45 show will be available at stands in the November 2 presidential election. employees will see relatively small in­ Institute, the Skirball Cultural Center, at the mall's four corners. Featuring the By following the steps, voters will help creases (ranging from no change to $9 the Getty Trust, and USC. The exhibit voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, prevent the problems that arose in the monthly) in the medical rates for the opened at the Skirball on September 14, Cameron Diaz, and Julie Andrews, the 2000 presidential election, when as many 2005 benefits year. Most deductibles and and includes materials from the Albert movie is rated PG. as three million votes were lost due to co-payments will not change from 2004. Einstein Archives, as well as a CD-ROM Many familiar Family Night traditions voter registration mix-ups, two million Caltech will continue to offer the Del­ contributed by USC that documents the w ill return, including the pasta dinner, additional votes perhaps were lost due to ta Dental and Safeguard Dental plans, physicist's three terms at Caltech in the served from 5 to 7 p.m. (no tickets will be faulty voting equipment and confusing health-care spending accounts, long­ 1930s. needed, as in past years); balloon sculp­ ballots, and another one million were likely term disability (LTD), and life and per­ A special Caltech-JPL day at the Skir­ tures; face painting; caricaturists; and dis­ lost as the result of polling-place problems. sonal accident insurance. An enrollment ball will be held Saturday, November plays from the Caltech Bookstore and of The announcement is made as part packet containing the full details will be 13, with free admission for the first 150 children's art. The evening is sponsored by of the ongoing Caltech-MIT Voting Tech­ sent to all Caltech and JPL employees campus community members who sign Student Affairs, Human Resources, Institute nology Project, which was initiated in by mid-October. up (limit two tickets per Caltech-JPL I D), Housing, Campus Life, and Public Events. December 2000 by Caltech president Da­ The period for Annual Enrollment along with free bus transport. Tickets will The two-week United Way campaign, vid Baltimore and MIT president Charles 2005 runs from October 11 to October be available beginning October 7 at the which begins October 25, will raise funds Vest following the election fiasco of the 29, and during this time members may Caltech Ticket Office, 332 South Michigan see Family Night, page 6 see Voting, page 6 see Benefits, page 6 see Einstein, page 6 2 Caltech 336, October 7, 2004

Alexei Borodin, professor of mathematics, re­ Caltech's creme de ceived the Prize of the Moscow Mathematical Society in 2003. He received his PhD from the Ia creme NewsBriefs University of Pennsylvania in 2001 and joined Caltech's faculty as professor in 2003. With average SAT scores of 1500, Caltech

Colin Camerer, Axline Professor of Business undergrads continue to rank among biology; Francois Houlard, Citrus Bistro supervi­ Economics, Mani Chandy, Ramo Professor and the nation's best. And among this elite sor, Dining Services; Ya-Ju Hsu, postdoctoral professor of computer science, Alan Hajek, as­ group, some manage to distinguish scholar in geophysics; Shuichi Kimata, visitor in sociate professor of philosophy, Kayoko Hirata, themselves yet further through outstand­ chemical engineering; Armin Kleinboehl, Caltech lecturer in Japanese, and Feng-Ving Ming, lectur­ ing scholastic achievement, research, postdoctoral scholar in JPL's atmospheric chem­ er in Chinese, were named in June as recipients and faculty recommendations. istry research element; Rouslan Kretchetnikov, of 2004 ASCIT (Associated Students of Caltech) postdoctoral scholar in control and dynamical Teaching Awards. Awards for teaching assistants The Faculty Scholarships and Financial systems; Michael Kukla, data analyst, Student went to grad students Dave Goulet, applied and Aid Committee is pleased to present 50 Affairs; postdoctoral scholars Chao Li, in gee­ computational mathematics, and Mihai Stoiciu, such students with the 2004-05 Upper­ biology, and Dunia Lopez-Pintado, in the Social mathematics, and to undergraduate Victor Tsai, class Merit Awards. Funded by generous and Information Sciences Laboratory; Stojan planetary science; Tsai graduated in June with his Madzunkov, Caltech postdoctoral scholar in JPL's BS in geophysics. contributions from donors, the Carnation space physics element; Natalia Malkova, postdoc­ Scholarships (made possible by the Stuart toral scholar in biology; Vuk Mandie, Robert A. Dining Services at Caltech won its third Grand Foundation), Caltech Upperclass Merit Millikan Postdoctoral Scholar in Physics; Shaunt Prize award in four years in the Standard Menu Awards (endowed by Lew and Edie Mangioglu, server, Athenaeum; Timothy McHugh, category, at the National Association of College Wasserman), John Stauffer Scholarship parking officer, Campus Security and Parking Ser­ and University Food Services convention last July (for chemistry /chemical engineering ma­ vices; Kathryn Morgan, administrative assistant in in Las Vegas. The Catering Team achieved a per­ computer science; Alshakim Nelson, postdoctoral fect 10 in all categories. "We are extremely proud jors), and the Rosalind W. Alcott Awards Artist Lita Albuquerque is snapped while working scholar in chemistry; Ryan O'Connor, card officer/ to win this award again this year," says Director total more than $1 million. on her installation south of Avery House. Part business analyst, Student Affairs; postdoctoral of Dining Services Andre Mallie. Accepting the of Caltech's Tender Land festival contribution, Congratulations to these students, scholars Christopher O'Leary, in anthropology, award on behalf of Dining Services were Jaime the artwork Stellar Mapping will be formally who will receive stipends ranging from and Christian Poelma, in bioengineering; Timur Reyes, catering manager, and Mabel Wong, tech­ unveiled, along with that of Michael McMillen, Pogodin, research associate, biology; Katie Pol­ nology manager. three-quarters tuition to full tu.ition plus on October 9. sky, psyehology intern, Counseling Center; Xiang room and board for the academic year. Qu, postdoctoral scholar in biology; Arturo Rizo, Alan Hajek, a Caltech associate professor of parking officer, Campus Security and Parking philosophy who this past summer took a senior Services; Heidi Rolufs, lab administrator, engi­ position with the Research School of Social Sci­ Carnation Scholarships neering and applied science; Shane Ross, visitor ences at the Australian National University, won Vincent Auyeung Personals in control and dynamical systems; Sara Salem, the American Philosophical Association Article assistant to the special events manager, Office of Prize, 2004, for "the best article published in the Arjun Bansal the President; Laurent Selle, postdoctoral scholar Welcome to Caltech previous two years." He received the prize for his Adam D'Angelo in aeronautics; Masaki Shigemori, Sherman article "What Conditional Probability Could Not Wei Lien Dang Fairchild Postdoctoral Scholar in High Energy June Be," published in Synthese in December 2003. Mithun Diwakar Physics; Matthew Siegler, research associate, geological and planetary sciences; Joel Smith, Christopher Franco Clive Dickinson, postdoctoral scholar in astron­ Ali Hajimiri, associate professor of electrical postdoctoral scholar in biology; Kelly Smith, ad­ Yiyang Gong omy. engineering, has been named to the 2004 list of ministrative assistant, Development and Alumni the world's 100 Top Young Innovators by MIT's Viviana Gradinaru Relations; Liyu Su, psychology intern, Counseling August Technology Review. Nominees are recognized ChongQin Guo Center; Chaitanya Swamy, postdoctoral scholar for their contributions in transforming the nature Judith Hubbard in the Center for the Mathematics of Information; Richard Blair, Caltech postdoctoral scholar in of technology and business in industries such as Mary Thompson, department assistant, materi­ Patrick Hummel JPL's materials and device technologies group; biotechnology, medicine, computing, and nano­ als science; Mark Trojanowski, assistant project Matthew Johnston Tuyen Dang, grant manager, chemistry and technology. Hajimiri received his PhD from Stan­ manager, Architectural and Engineering Services; chemical engineering; Marie Lara, assignments ford in 1998, joining Caltech that same year as an Daniel Koslover postdoctoral scholars Gensheng Wang, in phys­ coordinator, Campus Life; Hui-Qiang Lou, post­ assistant professor. He was appointed associate Tony Lee ics, Pawel Wocjan, in computer science, and Lin doctoral scholar in chemistry; Jennifer Shotz, professor last year. Xiao, in the Center for the Mathematics of Infor­ Jeremy Leibs development associate, Development and Alumni mation; Masao Vanagawa, visitor in chemistry; Jennifer Li Relations; Benjamin Williams, welder, physics, Babak Hassibi, associate professor of electrical postdoctoral scholars Tomohiro Vanao, in control Binghai Ling mathematics and astronomy; Zanxian Xia, staff engineering, has received a Presidential Early and dynamical systems, and Jason Zan, in JPL's scientist, biology. Career Award for Scientists and Engineers for Marin Markov science and technology development section. his "fundamental contributions to the theory Clare Moynihan Mathieu Desbrun joined Caltech's faculty effective and design of data transmission and reception Timothy Nguyen New positions schemes." The award "recognizes outstanding August 1 as an associate professor of computer Karin Oberg young scientists and engineers who, early in their science. Working on geometric computational Yingkai Ouyang modeling, with applications in computer graph­ Stephen Mayo, professor of biology and chem­ careers, show exceptional potential for leadership ics and mechanics, Desbrun has been recognized istry and associate investigator, Howard Hughes at the frontiers of knowledge," and provides five Weronika Patena by the Association for Computing Machinery as Medical Institute, has been appointed executive years of grant support. Hassibi received his PhD Van Qi an outstanding young researcher in his field. He officer for biochemistry and molecular biophys­ from Stanford in 1996 and joined Caltech in 2001. Joan Karen Sum Ping ics, effective September 1. A Caltech alum (PhD received his PhD from the National Polytechnic Tom Sze 1987). he joined the Institute as a senior research Leroy Hood, visiting associate in biology, became Institute of Grenoble in 1997, and he had been a Neil Tiwari visiting associate at Caltech since 2000. fellow in 1991, becoming assistant professor in the sixth recipient of the annual Biotechnology 1992 and full professor in 2003. Heritage Award at the BIO 2004 Annual Interna­ Jing Xiong September tional Convention, held June 6-9 in San Francis­ Mehmet Yenmez Ares Rosakis, Theodore von Karman Professor co. The cofounder and president of the Institute of Aeronautics and Mechanical Engineering, has for Systems Biology, as well as the cofounder of Swan Anderson, utility mechanic, Facilities Man­ Caltech Upperclass Merit Awards been appointed director of the Graduate Aero­ Amgen, Applied Biosystems, and other biotech­ agement; Karen Baumgartner, server, Dining Pavel Batrachenko Services; Nicole Bell, Sherman Fairchild Postdoc­ nautical Laboratories, effective July 1. Rosakis nology companies, Hood received his BS from toral Scholar in Astrophysics; Stephanie Berrocal, received his PhD from Brown University in 1982 Caltech in 1960 and his PhD in 1968. Brant Carlson department assistant, Housing; James Bruckner, and joined Caltech that same year. Elena Fabrikant Caltech postdoctoral scholar in JPL's science Vadim Kaloshin, associate professor of math­ Jenny Fisher Erin Schuman, associate professor of biology, has ematics, received the Prize of the Moscow Math­ and technology development section; Benjamin Lisa Fukui Brunner, Caltech postdoctoral scholar in JPL's been appointed professor of biology, effective Au­ ematical Society in 2002. He received his BA Joseph Gonzalez earth and space sciences division; Kathryn Carey, gust 1. She is also an associate investigator, How­ from Moscow State University in 1994 and his lifeguard, Athletics; Ricardo Caro, guest-relations ard Hughes Medical Institute, and is the executive PhD from Princeton University in 2001. He joined Lea Hildebrandt coordinator, Athenaeum; Joseph Carson, Caltech officer for neurobiology. Schuman received her Caltech's faculty as associate professor in 2002. Dorota Korta postdoctoral scholar in JPL's astrophysics and PhD from Princeton University in 1990, and joined EtheiMae "Vicki" Loewer Caltech in 1993 as an assistant professor. Ken Libbrecht, professor of and executive officer space sciences section; Fulvia Castelli, postdoc­ Po-Ru Loh for physics, has received a 2004 Benjamin Frank­ toral scholar in psychology; Alejandro Chacon, Galen Loram assistant director, Development and Alumni Retirements lin Award for his book The Snowflake: Winter's Relations; Gavin Chan, research technician asso­ Secret Beauty. The awards recognize excellence Ryan Olf ciate, biology; Tao Cheng, postdoctoral scholar in Paul Roberts retired on September 17. A research in independent publishing, and Libbrecht's book Laura Pruitt environmental science and engineering; Andrew technician in the Seismo Lab, he had worked at was honored in the Science/Environment catego­ Brian Underwood ry. Libbrecht received his BS from Caltech in 1980 Childs, Lee A. DuBridge Postdoctoral Scholar Caltech for 25 years. Joe Wasem in Physics; Celine Cornet, Caltech postdoctoral and his PhD from Princeton in 1984, the same Trevor Wilson scholar in JPL's multi-angle imaging element, year he joined Caltech as an assistant professor flight science experiments section; postdoctoral of astrophysics. He has been professor since 1995 Phillip Zukin scholars Hugues de Riedmatten, in physics, and Honors and awards and executive officer since 1997. Vandana Desai, in astronomy; Alice Doyle, grant John Stauffer Scholarship Michael Ortiz has been named the Dotty and Dick manager, biology; David Erickson, postdoctoral David Baltimore, president of Caltech and Nobel Xiao Peng scholar in electrical engineering; Matvey Farber, laureate, received an honorary doctor of science Hayman Professor of Aeronautics and Mechanical laboratory assistant, Space Radiation Laboratory; degree from Rockefeller University at its 40th Engineering, effective July 1; this title replaces Lin Feng, postdoctoral scholar in chemistry; Chris commencement ceremony. that of professor of aeronautics and mechani- Rosalind W. Alcott Awards Gandhi, postdoctoral scholar in chemistry and as­ cal engineering. He came to Caltech in 1994 as Christina Dwyer sociate, Howard Hughes Medical Institute; JM Ge­ Seymour Benzer, Boswell Professor of Neuro­ a Sherman Fairchild Distinguished Scholar and Christopher McClendon joined the faculty as a professor the next year. A remia, senior postdoctoral scholar in the Center science, Emeritus, has been selected to receive BinWu for the Physics of Information; postdoctoral schol­ the inaugural 2004 Neuroscience Prize of the graduate of Polytechnic University of Madrid, he ars Chunling Gong, in biology, Thomas Greve, in Peter Gruber Foundation. Each year the founda­ received his PhD from UC Berkeley in 1982. physics, Hossam Haik, in chemistry, and Voungae tion will present a gold medal and a $200,000 see Honors, page 5 Han, in applied and computational mathematics; cash award "to an outstanding scientist who has Jamaul Harvey, assistant equipment manager, contributed to fundamental advances in the field and Deborah Haywood, lead building attendant, of neuroscience." A Caltech professor since 1967, both in Athletics; Derek Hodgson, visitor in Benzer was named Boswell Professor in 1975. the acad em ic week at Ca It ec h is a printed version of selected events from the online master calendar. http://today.caltech.edu/calendar/. To publish events online, register as an event planner on the Caltech Today calendar. If unable to submit electronically, pl ease call (626) 395-3630. For further information or a schedule of deadlines, call (6261 395-3630, fax (626) 449-2159, write 336 Calendar, 1-71,

California In stitute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, or e-mail [email protected]. October 11-24, 2004

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Monday, October 11 Wednesday, October 13 Von Karman Lecture Series Chemical Physics Seminar Pasadena City College, 1570 E. Colorado, the 147 Noyes, Sturdivant Lecture Hall, 4 p.m.­ Vosloh Forum (south of Colorado on Bonnie), " Fiuoropolymers for Use in Next Generation Geological and Planetary Sciences Caltech Library System Presents: 7 p.m.-"Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter: An Photolithography, Soft Lithography, Micro­ Seminar Web of Knowledge Unprecedented Look at Mars," Dr. Jim Graf, fluidics, and Proton Exchange Membranes," Sherman Fairchild Library, multimedia confer­ 155 Arms, Robert Sharp Lecture Hall, 4 p.m.­ Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Project Manag­ Joseph M. DeSimone, Kenan Distinguished " Magma Source Regions and Mantle Flow ence room, noon to 1:30 p.m.-Learn to use er, JPL. Admission is free. Information: www. Professor of Chemistry and Chemical En­ Patterns Beneath Island Arcs and Back Arc the Caltech Library System's powerful new jpl.nasa.gov/lecture. gineering, University of North Carolina at Basins," Professor Douglas Wiens, Earth and tool, the Web of Knowledge. Information: Chapel Hill. Pl anetary Sciences, Washington University in http://l i bra ry.ca Itech .ed u/lea rn i ng/defa u lt. htm. St. Louis. Saturday, October 16 General Biology Seminar Astronomy Colloquium 119 Kerckhoff, 4 p.m.-" Mitochondrial Behav­ 155 Arms, Robert Sharp Lecture Hall, 4 p.m.­ Inorganic-Electrochemistry Seminar ior," Jodi Nunnari, associate professor of 147 Noyes, Sturdivant Lecture Hall, 4 p.m.­ " Updates on Extrasolar Planet Detections," SURF Seminar Day Winnett quad, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.-SURF students molecular and cellular biology, UC Davis. " Phosphorescent d10 and d8 Complexes: Debra Fischer, professor of astronomy, San give oral or poster presentations of their sum­ Fundamentals and Potential Optoelectronic Francisco State University. Information: www. High Energy Physics Seminar Applications," Mohammad Omary, assistant astro.caltech.edu/-gma/colloquia.html. mer research projects at this annual event. Information: Student-Faculty Programs Office, 248 Lauritsen, 4 p.m.-" Top Physics at CDF professor of chemistry, University of North 395-2886 or [email protected]. and DO," Charles Pager, postdoctoral Texas. Organic Chemistry Seminar researcher in physics, UCLA. 153 Noyes, Sturdivant Lecture Hall, 4 p.m.­ Applied Mathematics Colloquium "Organic Synthesis as a Tool to Address Bio­ 101 Guggenheim Lab, Lees-Kubota Lecture logical Problems," Professor Kazunori Koide, Monday, October 18 Hall, 4:15p.m.-" Astronomical Data Analysis department of chemistry, University Wednesday, October 20 by Multiscale Methods," Jean-Luc Starck, of Pittsburgh. Center for Neuromorphic Systems research fellow, department of astrophys­ Engineering Seminar Environmental Science and ics, Center for Research on Nuclear Energy, Earnest C. Watson Lecture Series 24 Beckman Labs, 4 p.m.-Topic to be an ­ Engineering Seminar Saclay, France. Beckman Auditorium, 8 p.m.-" Running Out nounced. Keir Pearson, department of physi­ 142 Keck, 3:40 to 5 p.m.-" Advective Trans­ of Gas," David Goodstein, professor of phys­ ology, University of Alberta. port Processes in Sediments and Effects on ics and applied physics, Gilloon Distinguished the Biogeochemistry," Wiebke Ziebis, as­ Tuesday, October 12 Tea ching and Service Professor, and vice pro­ Geological and Planetary Sciences sistant profess or of marine environmental vost, Caltech. Admission is free. Information: Seminar biology, USC. Information: www.ese.caltech. edu/seminars/index.html. Computer Science Faculty Research 395-4652, 1 (888) 2CALTECH , or events@ 155 Arms, Robert Sharp Lecture Hall, 4 p.m.­ Lecture Series caltech.edu. Individuals with a disability: "From CAis to Spinach: Insights from Mg Astronomy Colloquium 74 Jorgensen, noon-" Internet Protocols," 395-4688 (voice) or 395-3700 (TOO). Visit Isotopes," Albert Galy, lecturer, University of 155 Arms, Robert Sharp Lecture Hall, 4 Steven Low, associate professor of computer Public Events at www.events.caltech.edu. Cambridge. p.m.- Topic to be announced. Professor Ray science and electrical engineering, Caltech. Carlberg, Canadian Institute of Theoretical Refreshments. High Energy Physics Seminar Thursday, October 14 469 Lauritsen, 4 p.m.-Topic to be an nounced. Astrophysics, University of Toronto. Informa­ Dan Pirjol, MIT. Information: www.theory. tion: www.astro.caltech.edu/-gma/colloquia. Carnegie Observatories Colloquium html. Series Caltech Library System Presents: caltech.edu/people/carol/seminar.html. W illiam T. Golden Auditorium, 813 Santa Web of Knowledge Information Science and Barbara Street, 3:30 to 5 p.m.-" Galactic Sherman Fairchild Library, multimedia confer­ Inorganic-Electrochemistry Seminar Technology Seminar Disks, " Professor Ken Freeman, Mount ence room, 2 to 3:30 p.m.-Learn to use the 147 Noyes, Sturdivant Lecture Hall, 4 p.m.­ 080 Moore, 4 p.m.- " How to Compute the Stromlo Observatory, Australian National Caltech Library System's powerful new tool, " Small Molecule Activation at Transition Volume?" , Professor Santosh Vempala, de­ University. Refreshments. the Web of Knowledge. Information: http:// Metal and Uranium Centers in New Trigonal I i bra ry.ca ltech.e d u/lea rn i ng/d efa u lt. htm. Coordination Environments," Karsten Meyer, partment of mathematics, MIT. Based on joint work with L. Lovasz, Microsoft Research. Chemical Physics Seminar assistant professor of chemistry, UC San Diego. 147 Noyes, Sturdivant Lecture Hall, 4 p.m.­ Physics Research Conference Organic Chemistry Seminar " Photoexcitation of Molecules Imbedded in 201 E. Bridge, 4 p.m.-" Mesoscopic Magnetic 153 Noyes, Sturdivant Lecture Hall, 4 p.m.­ Helium," Cu rt Wittig, Miller Chair in Letters, Imaging," Kath ryn Moler, associate professor Applied Mathematics Colloquium " Catalytic Asymmetric Cyclization Reactions Arts and Sciences, and professor of chemis­ of applied physics, Stanford University. 101 Guggenheim Lab, Lees-Kubota Lecture for Natural Product Synthesis, " Professor Dan try, USC. Refreshments, 114 E. Bridge, 3:45p.m. Hall, 4:15 p.m.-"Weak Lacunae of Electro­ magnetic Waves in Dilute Plasma," Professor Yang, department of chemistry, University of Hong Kong. Empirics Seminar Series Von Karman Lecture Series Semyon Tsynkov, department of mathemat­ 25 Baxter, 4 p.m.-" Racism and Redistribu­ JPL, von Karman Auditorium, 7 p.m.-" Mars ics, North Carolina State University. tion: A Solution to the Problem of American Reconnaissance Orbiter: An Unprecedented Exceptionalism," John Roemer, Varick Profes­ Look at Mars," Dr. Jim Graf, Mars Recon­ Thursday, October 21 sor of Political Science and Economics, Yale. naissance Orbiter Project Manager, JPL. Tuesday, October 19 Admission is free. Information: www.jpl. Physics Research Conference General Biology Seminar nasa.gov/lecture. Beckman Institute Seminar Series 201 E. Bridge, 4 p.m.- " Cosmic Super­ 119 Kerckhoff, 4 p.m.-"Modeling the Beckman Institute Auditorium, 10:30 a.m. to strings," Joseph Polchinski, professor of Structures of Proteins and Mac romolecular noon-" Identifying Protein Kinase Substrates physics, UC Santa Barbara. Refreshments, Assemblies," Andrej Sali, department of phar­ Friday, October 15 by Mass Spectrometry," Yong Chi, Institute 114 E. Bridge, 3:45p.m. maceutical chemistry and California Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle. Refreshments, for Quantitative Biomedical Research, UC San High Energy Theory Seminar 10 a.m. Information: 395-2791. Fra ncisco. 469 Lauritsen, 11 a.m.-"Evidence for the Friday, October 22 Strongest Version of the 4d a-Theorem, Computer Science Research Lecture High Energy Physics Seminar via a-Maximization Along RG Flows," Ken 74 Jorgensen, noon-"Team Caltech and High Energy Theory Seminar 248 Lauritsen, 4 p.m.-" Run II New Phenom­ lntriligator, professor of physics, UC San the DARPA Grand Challenge: Software and 469 Lauritsen, 11 a.m.- Topic to be an­ ena at DO," Yuri Gershtein, research associate Diego. Information: www.theory.caltech. Strategies for Autonomous Navigation," nounced. Pascal Grange, Ecole Polytechnique, in physics, Brown University. edu/people/seminar/schedule.html. Ben Brantley, lecturer in computer science, Paris. Information: www.theory.caltech.edu/ Caltech. Refreshments. people/seminar/schedule.html. lnorganic-Organometallics Seminar 151 Crellin, 4 p.m.-" Direct Measurement of Carnegie Observatories Colloquium lnorganic-Organometallics Seminar Propagation Rate Constants for Zirconocene Series 151 Crellin, 4 p.m.-" Electron Tunneling Catalyzed Alkene Polymerization," Sara Klamo, William T. Golden Auditorium, 813 Santa Wires for Studying Biocatalysis," Stephen graduate student in chemistry, Caltech . Barbara Street, 3:30 to 5 p.m.-" Globular Contakes, postdoctoral scholar in chemistry, Clusters Formed in Gas-Rich Galaxy Mergers: Caltech . Implications for the Formation of Giant Early­ Type Galaxies," Paul Goudfrooij, Space Tele­ Kellogg Seminar scope Science Institute. Refreshments. Lauritsen Library, 4 p.m.-"Evidence for a Distorted Spectrum for K2K, " Michael Smy, UC Irvine. CampusEvents

Monday, October 11 Friday, October 15 Wednesday, October 20 Ongoing events Credit Union Closure Weird Nature: Devious Defenses Men's Soccer All branches of the Caltech Employees Federal Beckman Auditorium, 10 a.m.-A school-day vs. Whittier College, 4 p.m. Credit Union will be closed for staff training. presentation for school groups in grades 3 to 12. Tuesdays A discussion after the screening will be led by Standard First-Aid I CPR I AED Kjerstin Easton, electrical engineering depart­ Preschool Playgroup Brown Gym classroom, 7:30a.m. to 5 p.m.­ ment, Caltech. Information: 395-6059. Seating is Tournament Park, 10 a.m. to noon-Song and Standard first-aid, ca rdiopulmonary resuscitation unreserved and costs $5. Thursday, October 21 storytime, crafts and free play for toddlers and (CPR ). and automatic external defibrillator (AED) Voices of Vision Series: Bob Schieffer preschoolers (from walking to age 4). Informa­ training will be offered by Caltech's Safety Of­ Cross Country Beckman Auditorium, 8 p.m.-Bob Schieffer, tion: 584-0970 or [email protected]. fice in conjunction with the American Red Cross. SCIAC Multi-Duals, at La Mirada Park, 4 p.m. chief Washington correspondent for CBS News Fee: $25 for materials. Registration: 395-6727 or and anchor and moderator of Face the Nation, Caltech Shorinji Kempo Club safety.train i ng@ca Itech .ed u. will talk about his recent memoir, Face the Na­ Brown Gymnasium, 7 p.m.-Learn effective self­ tion: My Favorite Stories from the First 50 Years defense and martial arts. Sessions are free. No MentorNet of the Award-Winning News Broadcast. A book experience required. Wear comfortable clothing. Caltech Women's Center, noon-Learn about Saturday, October 16 signing will immediately follow the talk. Admis­ MentorNet, a program that provides one-on­ Caltech/MIT Enterprise Forum sion is free. (See Public Events contact informa­ Caltech Tai Chi Club one mentoring by pairing engineering and Baxter Lecture Hall, 8 a.m. to noon-The Caltech/ tion on this page.) Winnett lounge, 7 p.m .-Meets Tuesdays and sc ience undergraduate and graduate students MIT Enterprise Forum will kick off the 2004-05 ac­ Fridays weekly. Sessions are free. Information: with industry professionals or faculty in their ademic year with a program directed to the needs www.its.caltech.edu/-taichi. fie ld . Lunch w ill be provided. Registration: of people who have developed expertise and [email protected]. a vision for leading-edge technology, and who Friday, October 22 want to become entrepreneurs. "From Techie to East Coast Swing Class Tycoon" will feature a panel of entrepreneurs who Volleyball Wednesdays Winnett lounge, 7:30 p.m.-Learn East Coast became involved with companies that were little vs. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, 7:30p.m. swing w ith a professional instructor. This is the more than a gleam in the eye when they started Wednesdays in the Park second class in a five-week series. Fee: Caltech out. Information: www.entforum.caltech.edu. Tournament Park, 10 a.m. to noon-Every students, $6 per class; others, $8 per class. No Wednesday there's conversation and coffee for partner or experience is required. Men's Soccer Saturday, October 23 parents and caregivers, and playtime and snacks at Cal Lutheran University, 11 a.m. for children. Stop by and make new friends Men's Soccer from around the world. Information: 793-2535 or lnti-lllimani: Music of the Andes at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, 11 a.m. nancyhewett@ea rth I ink. net. Beckman Auditorium, 8 p.m.-lnti-lllimani's Tuesday, October 12 music has traditional Latin American roots and is Belly-Dancing Classes Adult, Child, and Infant First-Aid and CPR played on more than 30 wind, string, and percus­ Braun Gym, multipurpose room, 12:45 p.m.­ Training sion instruments. Their synthesis of instrumen­ Learn to belly dance with Leela, a popular Thursdays Brown Gym classroom, 7:30a.m. to noon­ tals and vocals weaves an extraordinary cultural performer and instructor. Fee for trial class: $5 Adult, child, and infant first-aid and CPR train­ mural. (See Public Events contact information on for Caltech students, $8 for others. Fee for full Caltech Shorinji Kempo Club ing w ill be offered by Caltech's Safety Office in this page.) 8-week series: $20 for Caltech students, $50 for Brown Gymnasium, 7 p.m.-Learn effective self­ conjunction with the American Red Cross. Fee: other Caltech community members. defense and martial arts. Sessions are free. No $30 for materials. This is a two-day class; to experience required. Wear comfortable clothing. receive certifi cation, you must attend today and A Woman's Best Defense on Thursday, October 14. Registration: 395-6727 Sunday, October 17 Caltech Women's Center, 1 to 5 p.m.-One in or [email protected]. every three women in Los Angeles County will Amnesty International Book Discussion be assaulted in her lifetime. This is a frighten­ Fridays Amnesty International Letter Writing Group ing statistic, but each woman has the power Athenaeum Rathskeller, 7:30 to 9 p.m.-Caltech/ Vroman's Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Boulevard, to decrease her chances of becoming a victim Caltech Tai Chi Club Pasadena AI Group 22 will host an informal second floor, 6:30 p.m.-This month's book of violent crime. This introductory workshop Winnett lounge, 7 p.m.-Meets Tuesdays and meeting to write letters on human-rights is The Dark Bride, by the Colombian author features skills for avoidance, deterrence, and Fridays weekly. Sessions are free. Information: abuses around the world. All are welcome. Laura Restrepo. All are welcome. Sponsored by resistance of physical and verbal assault. Regis­ www.its.caltech.edu/-taichi. Refreshments. Information: (818) 354-4461 or Caltech/Pasadena AI Group 22 . Visit Group 22 at tration: [email protected]. [email protected]. Visit our website at www.its.caltech.edu/-aigp22. Caltech Chess Club www.its.caltech.edu/-aigp22. Swimming and Diving Page House dining room, 8 p.m.-Be you master vs. Soka University and Whittier College, 4 p.m. or novice, you will enjoy the chess club's weekly Volleyball meetings. Information: http://www.its.caltech. vs. Life Pacific, 7:30 p.m. Volleyball edu/-citchess. Monday, October 18 vs. California Lutheran University, 7:30 p.m.

East Coast Swing Class Luna sa Beckman Auditorium, 8 p.m.-The members of Winnett lounge, 7:30 p.m.-Learn East Coast Sundays Wednesday, October 13 Lunasa redefine Irish music by teaming upright swing with a professional instructor. This is the Caltech Shorinji Kempo CPR!AED Recertification third class in a five-week series. Fee: Caltech acoustic bass with percussive guitar to seek out the essential heartbeat of a tune. The result is Braun Athletic Center, aerobics room, 3:30 Brown Gym classroom, 7 a.m. to noon-CPR students, $6 per class; others, $8 per class. p.m.-Learn effective self-defense and martial recertification training will be offered by No partner or experience required. a sound that, though distinctly Irish in flavor, Caltech's Safety Office in conjunction with the touches on jazz and other improvisational music arts. Sessions are free. No experience required. American Red Cross. There is a small fee for forms. (See Public Events contact information on Wear comfortable clothing. materials. Registration: 395-6727 or safety. this page.) t [email protected]. Tuesday, October 19 Cross Country Creating Engaging Presentations with Ease Public Events information NCAA Regionals, at Prado Park, Chino, 9 a.m. Brown Gym classroom, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.­ Sunday, October 24 and tickets This one-day workshop, for supervisors and Fall Career Fair nonsupervisors, will provide the structure for Men's Self-Defense Caltech Women's Center, 1 to 5 p.m.-This train­ Bechtel Mall, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m .-An infor­ developing and delivering interesting, engaging 395-4652, 1 (888) 2CALTECH, or events@ ing offers participants the opportunity to deliver mal opportunity for students of all levels as well presentations. Information: http://cit.hr.caltech. caltech.edu. Individuals with a disability: as postdocs to gather company information, edu/Education/super&non_super/presentations. full-force, knock-out blows to a padded assailant 395-4688 (voice) or 395-3700 (TOO). Visit in lifelike physical scenarios. Explore the mean­ speak with company representatives, and drop htm. Public Events at www.events.caltech.edu. off their resumes. ing of body language and ego management. Verbal techniques in de-escalating a dangerous Volleyball situation are also extensively covered. Registra­ Men's Soccer vs. West Coast Baptist College, 5 p.m. vs. University of La Verne, 4 p.m. tion: [email protected]. International Women's Self-Defense Work­ Skeptics Society Lecture shop Baxter Lecture Hall, 2 p.m.-"Why We Lie: Caltech Women's Center, 7 p.m .- This workshop The Evolutionary Roots of Deception and the will introduce cultural differences in communica­ Thursday, October 14 Unconscious Mind," Dr. David Livingstone tion styles as well as strategies for presenting Smith, philosopher and evolutionary psy­ Film and Presentation: Votes for Women yourself and your feelings more assertively. chologist. Donation is $8 for nonmembers and Caltech Women's Center, noon-The film Votes Registration: [email protected]. for Women chronicles the 72-year-long struggle non-Caltech students. Free to the Caltech/JPL community. Tickets and information 794-3119 or for the right of women to vote. Sharon Mullenix, Volleyball [email protected]. A book signing will follow president of the Pasadena League of Women vs. La Sierra University, 7 p.m. Voters, will be on hand to discuss the important the lecture. role of female voters in the upcoming presiden­ tial election. Pizza and drinks will be provided. Caltech 336, October 7, 2004 5

Honors, from page 2 Robert Phillips, professor of mechanical engineer­ The Swiss ing and applied physics, has been named by the Emergency response hard-rock National Institutes of Health (NIH) as one of nine band recipients .of the first annual Director's Pioneer course open to staff Krokus. Award. The award will provide Phillips, an au­ thority on the nanoscale mechanics of biological An intensive first-responder course that systems, with $2.5 million for the next five years will train people who provide emergency as part of the NIH's new "Road map for Medical first aid for the sick and injured is open for Research " program. He rece ived his PhD from Washington University in 1989, joining Caltech as the first time to the Caltech community. professor of mechanical engineering in 2000. "It is being offered through Staff Edu­ cation but is open to students, faculty, Thomas Phillips has been named the Altair Pro­ and staff," says Gregg Henderson, chief fessor of Physics, effective July 1; this title re­ of campus security. The 10-week course places that of professor of physics. He continues as director of the Caltech Submillimeter Obser­ will instruct participants in triage and vatory. Phillips received his doctorate from the special rescue situations, anatomy, and University of Oxford in 1964, and joined Caltech CPR, among other rescue-related topics. as professor of physics in 1979. First responders do not replace para­ medics but are trained to respond to Ares Rosakis has been named the Theodore von Karman Professor of Aeronautics and Mechanical major catastrophes that may delay the Engineering, effective July 1; this title replaces arrival of paramedics or other emergency that of professor of aeronautics and mechanical response professionals. They learn to engineering. A graduate of the University of Ox­ assess injuries, stabilize a victim's vital ford, he received his PhD from Brown University functions, and relay that information to German films New, improved in 1982, joining Caltech's faculty that same year. Rosakis is also director of the Graduate Aeronau­ emergency professionals. tical Laboratories. The rigorous course contains both a make a comeback Chandler to emerge written and practical final exam and will Chandler Dining Hall will begin undergo­ Anneila Sargent has been named the Benjamin be taught by Mark Stapf, an American Foreign film fans in the campus com­ M. Rosen Professor of Astronomy, effective July ing construction on Monday, October 11, Red Cross instructor and the coordinator munity will hail the return of the popular 1; this title replaces that of professor of astrono­ in anticipation of renovations in the South of the Health Advocate Program for un­ German-language movie series after a my. She continues as director of the Owens Valley hiatus. Houses. According to Andre Mallie, direc­ Radio Observatory. A graduate of the University dergraduates. tor of dining services, the first phase of of Edinburgh who received her PhD from Caltech Students will meet twice a week for a According to sponsor Andreas Aebi, a construction will be a covered extension in 1977, Sargent has served as a member of the total of 60 hours and will be tested in sce­ Caltech lecturer in German, newly installed Institute's research faculty or professional staff of the north end of the dining room and narios like safely extracting an accident digital projection equipment in Baxter ever since, being appointed professor in 1998 serving area. During this phase, the glass victim from a vehicle and dealing with di­ Lecture Hall, courtesy of" a very generous and director of the Owens Valley Radio Observa­ grant" from the Moore-Hufstedler Fund, is wall and doors on the dining room's north tory that same year. She served as director of the saster situations. Those who successfully side will be boarded up for safety reasons, Interferometry Science Center from 2000 to 2003. complete the class will receive American enabling the series to return. All the films but Chandler will continue its normal Red Cross First Responder Certificates. have English subtitles and will screen on John Schwarz, Brown Professor of Theoreti- hours and service. A group of campus security officers Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m., followed by a ca l Physics, was selected to deliver the keynote reception in Baxter lounge. Phase one is estimated to be completed speech for the opening ceremony of the Center and resident associates took a similar The series will kick off October 15 with by mid-February, at which time Chandler for Mathematics and Theoretical Physics at the course earlier this year, and Henderson will close for eight to ten weeks for renova­ Shanghai Institute for Advanced Studies (admin­ adds that several more security officers Krokus (2004, Switzerland)-a documen­ tion of the entire serving area and dining istered by the University of Science and Tech­ are interested in signing up. Plans are tary on the Swiss hard-rock band of the nology of China), which took place July 30-31; room. "We apologize for the inconvenience in the works to offer the first-responder same name, and the group's successes the honor included the granting of an honorary and failures in the United States-and a the renovation may cause," Mallie wrote professorship. Schwarz received his AB from course twice a year. guest appearance by the film's producer in an e-mail to the campus community, but Harvard in 1962 and his PhD from UC Berkeley in Those interested may view the course and director, Reto Caduff, who will intro­ added that Dining Services will notify the 1966. He joined Caltech as a research M~ogate in description and schedule online at http:// 1972, becoming professor in 1985. cit. h r.ca Itech .ed u/Ed ucati on/su per&non_ duce and discuss it. campus community of dining alternatives prior to phase two, and that he is confident super/first_responder.htm. Other films scheduled for this term are Mark Simons, associate professor of geophysics, Die Schweizermacher (The Swissmakers, people will enjoy the resulting "new Chan­ has received a Presidential Early Career Award for • 1978, Switzerland) on November 5 and dler atmosphere, additional seating, and Scientists and Engineers for his work in connec­ new culinary options." tion with the National Aeronautics and Space Ad­ Paul and Paula (1973, East Germany). ministration. The award "recognizes outstanding The Swissmakers, which according to • young scientists and engineers who, early in their Aebi is "the most successful Swiss film careers, show exceptional potential for leadership of all time," is a satire that follows sev­ at the frontiers of knowledge," and provides five Website to help eral candidates who aspire to become years of grant support. Simons received his PhD from MIT in 1995 and joined Caltech in 1997. fill college jobs Swiss citizens, and the judging process that determines their worthiness of this News extras Brian Stoltz, assistant professor of chemistry, has Colleges and universities in Southern exclusive honor. Aebi describes Paul and received a Presidential Early Career Award for California expect to hire more than Paula as "a romantic and ironic view of Scientists and Engineers for his "creative new re­ Lewis memorial change 50,000 new employees in the next five love with a plea for individual freedom" search in synthetic organic chemistry." The award For those planning to attend the October years, and a new website officially that despite a governmental ban became "recognizes outstanding young scientists and 25 memorial for Ed Lewis, please note that engineers who, early in their careers, show ex­ launched this week at UCLA will make it one of the country's most popular films. the site has changed from Ramo Auditori­ ceptional potential for leadership at the frontiers easier for job seekers to find those jobs. For more information, e-mail aebi@ um to Beckman Auditorium. The memorial of knowledge," and provides five years of grant The Southern California Higher Educa­ hss.caltech.edu. support. Stoltz received his PhD from Yale in 1997 is still scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. and joined Caltech in 2000. tion Recruitment Consortium (HERC), an • association of 23 public and private col­ Flu clinic returns Kip Thorne, Feynman Professor of Theoretical leges and universities in Southern Cali­ The Student Health Center and Human Physics, was named in June as recipient ofthe fornia, including Caltech, is sponsoring developing responses to social problems Resources will once again provide free 2004 GSC (Graduate Student Council) Mentoring the first higher education employment Award. Wilhelm Schlag, professor of mathemat­ in a rapidly changing world," Carnesale flu shots for campus community mem­ website in the region, at www.socalherc. ics, received the Teaching Award. The award for adds. "In the next 10 years, Southern bers with valid Caltech 10 on Wednesday, teaching assistant went to Francesco Ciucci, a org. California HERC campuses will hire over October 27, from 8:30a.m. to 4 p.m. in graduate student in mechanical engineering. The site gives job seekers access to 100,000 new employees." the Winnett lounge. In addition, students centralized information about thousands HERC members include University of who signed up for the meningitis vac­ Paul Wennberg has been named the R. Stanton of faculty and staff positions at HERC Avery Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry and California and California community col­ cine will get it that day. The cost is $80 colleges and universities. Previously, job Environmental Science and Engineering, effec­ lege campuses, and private colleges and and is payable by cash, check, or student tive July 1; this title replaces that of professor of seekers had to visit the websites of each universities. Participating campuses are account charge. For more information, atmospheric chemistry and environmental sci­ college and university to search for em­ in areas south of Monterey County, from call ext. 6393 or visit www.healthcenter. ence and engineering. He received his PhD from ployment opportunities. Currently there Santa Barbara in the north to San Diego caltech.edu. Harva rd in 1994 and joined Caltech as associate are about 1,500 jobs listed on the site. professor in 1998, becoming full professor in in the south, and as far east as Palm "Higher education is a significant 2001. Desert. economic force in Southern California," Borders honors educators Dlorah Gonzales, director of the em­ Theodore Yao-Tsu Wu, professor of engineering says UCLA Chancellor Albert Carnesale. October 8 to 10 is Educator Appreciation ployment office at Caltech, says that science, emeritus, was awarded the American So­ "HERC member campuses have a com­ Weekend at Borders. Bring an 10, pay job seekers often overlook universities. ciety of Civil Engineers' 2004 Theodore von Kar­ bined overall budget estimated at over stub, or other proof of educator status man Medal on June 15 at the annual Engineering "Many people don't think of colleges $10.6 billion, and they employ close to to receive 25 percent off most books and Mechanics Division Conference. He also received and universities when they are look­ 80,000 faculty, staff, administrative, and other store items, as well as 50 percent the American Society of Mechanical Engineers' ing for a job. We're hoping this online 2004 Lifetime Achievement Award on June 22 at executive employees. off food and beverages in the cafe. The service gives them new options in their the International Conference on Offshore Mechan­ "In the next five years, HERC mem­ Pasadena store is at 475 South Lake search for a new job or a whole new ics and Arctic Engineering. A Caltech graduate ber campuses expect to hire more than Avenue. (PhD '52), Wu joined Caltech as a research fellow career," Gonzales says. 50,000 employees to continue to fulfill that same year, becoming assistant professor in The full text of this article may be our shared mission of educating young 1955, full professor in 1961 , and emeritus in 1996. viewed online at http://pr.caltech.edu/ people, advancing society through sci­ media/. entific and technological innovation, and • 6 Caltech 336, October 7, 2004

Nobel, from page 1 Family Night, from page 1 Undergrads, project leader, General Leslie Groves. The for an agency that. as an umbrella orga­ director ofthe film, Roland Joffe, had been grad students, nization for more than 250 area charities and alumni once recruiting career physicists to play some of and non profits, helps nearly 4,000,000 again joined the the roles, and he settled on Politzer, whose people in Southern California. Employees annual summer academic specialty was quite similar to that may designate donations to any qualify­ expedition to Caltech's ofthe man he would play. ing organization, including the Caltech Politzer, who did not even own a tele­ Centennial Grove, Children's Center, Caltech Y, and JPL Child in the Sierra vision, later told a reporter from Caltech's Educational Center. Donations to the two National Forest. publication On Campus that he had children's centers will provide tuition as­ The Caltech Y, been reluctant to take the part, but had sistance for campus community members. International Student Programs, relented after Joffe convinced him that According to Dlorah Gonzales, director the "role would not require too much in the Gnome Club, of employment and employee services and the Alumni the way of time or talent." During his two in Human Resources, Caltech has in the Association weeks on the set, Politzer warmed up to past matched employee donations, raising sponsored the the project and began discussing nuclear­ a total of $106,000, including more than trip. defense policy with Paul Newman, with $16,000 for the three campus organiza­ whom he shared a memorable dinner of tions, over the years. spaghetti and salad-the latter dressed Campus community members can with " Newman's Own," of course. make donation pledges online at http:// Benefits, from page 1 Einstein, from page 1 The latest award brings to 31 the to­ cit.hr.caltech.edu/united_way.htm, and make their elections on the benefits Avenue. Buses will leave from Avery Circle tal number of Nobel Prizes won by 30 arrange to pay by check or through au­ website at www.hr.caltech.edu/Benefits/ on Holliston Avenue at noon and 2 p.m., Caltech faculty and alumni through the tomatic payroll deductions. Those with­ anenroll.htm. Blue Cross has a tele­ and will return at approximately 3:30 and years (Linus Pauling won awards in both out online access can use the Human phone helpline for Caltech members, 5:30 p.m. respectively. chemistry and peace). Resources computer kiosks at 399 South (866) 820-0765, and a website at www. The Skirball Center has a cafe (reserva­ The full text of this article may be viewed Holliston Avenue. Information packets will bluecrossca.com/clients/caltech for tions required, (310) 440-4515) and pre­ online at http://pr.caltech.edu/media! be available from campaign coordinators more information, including Blue Cross packaged refreshments available. Campus • located across campus. participating providers. If you have any community members who can't attend on For more information, call ext. 8661 or questions or need assistance contact the the 13th will receive a discount rate of $8 e-mail [email protected]. To Benefits Office at (626) 395-6443. (one ticket per Caltech-JPL ID) throughout learn more about the United Way's local • the exhibit's run, which ends May 29, 2005. Voting, from page 1 work, visit www.unitedwayla.org. The event will jump-start a year of previous month. The group, composed • campus events celebrating all things Ein­ of both political scientists and engineers, steinian. November will also see the publi­ is charged with the tasks of evaluating cation of Volume 9 of The Collected Papers the current state of reliability and unifor­ Science by the seat of the pants of Albert Einstein by Caltech's Einstein mity of U.S. voting systems, establish­ Papers Project (www.einstein.caltech.edu ing uniform attributes and quantitative Sliding down a sand dune on your der­ Valley or Mojave, California. There they and www.alberteinstein.info). Covering guidelines for performance and reliability riere might seem a bit undignified for a slog up to a dune's crest, carting a radar his Berlin correspondence from January of voting systems, and proposing specific Caltech professor. But for Melany Hunt, unit, geophones (a type of microphone), 1919 to April 1920, the volume documents uniform guidelines and requirements for it's all in the name of science. and lots of water to combat the 100- Einstein's meteoric rise to fame after a reliable voting systems. The seven steps The professor of mechanical engineer­ degree-plus weather. British eclipse expedition in May 1919 are as follows: ing wants to know why certain large The group works to confirm Hunt's confirmed his prediction that gravity would 1. Make sure you are registered. desert sand dunes give off a loud, dron­ theory that the sound is a resonance bend light. The volume is edited by project 2. Get a sample ballot from your local ing sound when the dune avalanches, a effect, like when a string is plucked on a members Diana Kormos-Buchwald, J6zsef elections office, if one hasn't been mailed scientist skims down it, or a strong wind musical instrument. Over time, the dune Illy, Daniel Kennefick, and Tilman Sauer, to you, and read it carefully. blows. While "booming dunes" have absorbs rain and a crust of hard, moist along with Robert Schulmann. 3. Bring your sample ballot to help been known for centuries, their cause sand forms some two meters (3.3 feet) In 2005, a traveling "Einstein at Caltech" you in the voting booth. remains a mystery. below its face. When the dune's surface display, chronicling the physicist's time on 4. Try to vote between 10 a.m. and 4 Most believe it's friction-grains of very is disturbed, friction between the dry campus from 1930 to 1932, will launch in p.m ., or allow extra time for long lines. dry sand rubbing together. But that's only sand grains creates noise that reverber­ February. In addition, an Einstein Centennial 5. Know your rights and ask for help if part ofthe story, Hunt suspects, noting that ates back and forth with the hard sand Lectures series will take place in Beckman you need it. the noise continues after the movement below. Auditorium. Free and open to the public, 6. You have a right to vote if you are has stopped. Further, the sound is different "That may be why smaller dunes each talk will begin at 8 p.m. Featured speak­ registered in your precinct, even if your in winter than in summer. don't make sound," says Hunt, "because ers will be Martin Klein of Yale University, name does not appear on the list of reg­ These intriguing questions tie into they haven't been around long enough a former general editor of the physicist's istered voters in your precinct. Ask what Hunt's research on the flow of particulates to form that hard layer of sand." The Collected Papers (March 17); John Norton, to do if your name does not appear. and granular materials, including the minimum needed is about two meters of chair of history and philosophy of science 7. Stop and double-check that your natural environment of sand and debris thickness, and the loudest dunes are the at the University of Pittsburgh (May 11 ); ballot reflects how you want to vote be­ flows. Thus, she has spent the past few tallest and steepest. Hunt also believes Juergen Renn, executive director of the Max fore you turn in your ballot. summers investigating booming dunes as the noise differs by season due to vary­ Planck Institute for the History of Science in English and Spanish versions of the a mentor with Caltech's SURF (Summer ing amounts of moisture in the sand. Berlin (September 27); and Caltech's own Kip "Seven Steps" guide can be downloaded Undergraduate Research Fellowships) Using radar, the group probes for wet Thorne, Feynman Professor of Theoretical at www.vote.caltech.edu. program, which brings college students sand below the dune's surface; the gee­ Physics (November 16). The yearlong Einstein The full text of this article may be viewed from various schools to campus to con­ phone captures the sound as students fest will end in November 2005. online at http://pr.caltech.edu/media! duct research with faculty members. skid down its slopes. To view (and hear) • • Several times each summer, Hunt, her a Quicklime movie of students sliding students, and Professor of Mechanical down a dune, visit www.prettypixel.net/ Engineering Chris Brennen trek to Death Dunes/index.html. •

Caltechen en 336 en en ......

The campus community biweekly California Institute of Technology October 7, 2004, vol. 4, no. 14 Pasadena, California 91125

Ed itor: Daryn Kobata ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED (626) 395·6240; [email protected] Assistant Editor: Javier Marquez (626) 395-6624; [email protected] Calendar Administrator: Debbie Bradbury (626) 395-3630; [email protected] Graphic Artist: Doug Cummings Photographer: Bob Paz Published by the Office of Public Relations