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Vanderbilt University
6301 Stevenson Center
VU Station B #351807
Nashville, TN 37235

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(615) 322-2828
(615) 343-7263
physics-astronomy

The KELT-South observatory (left) searches for giant planets eclipsing bright stars. Located in South Africa, it was designed and built by astronomers at Vanderbilt and the University of Cape Town.

In the Center for Molecular and Atomic Studies at Surfaces, graduate student Heungman Park uses the versatile and powerful TITAN laser system to study the interactions of light and matter.

The Vanderbilt Advanced Computing Center for Research and Education (ACCRE) is a powerful resource for department faculty who use computation as a tool for scientific exploration.

Vanderbilt is part of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, which images the luminous red galaxies shown above. The clustering of these galaxies will probe the nature of dark energy in the universe.

The nuclear theory group studies fusion reactions of exotic neutron-rich nuclei such as 132Sn + 96Zr, using quantum many body theory (time-dependent Hartree-Fock calculation on 3-D grid).

As part of the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment, Vanderbilt physicists help build the pixel detectors that measure the trajectories of particles created at CERN's LHC.

VIIBRE is developing microfluidic devices for studying and controlling living cells. The trap shown above restrains human T cells, allowing researchers to study new ways that immune cells communicate.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Vanderbilt University combines the friendly and supportive atmosphere of a liberal arts college with the excitement and challenge of forefront research. The undergraduate program consists of a focused physics education combined with a wealth of skills from the humanities and social sciences. The bachelor’s degree prepares a student for a career in the private sector or for continuing one's education in physics, astronomy, engineering, law, medicine and many other fields.

Both undergraduate and graduate students actively engage in Departmental research programs that are supported by more than $6 million in external funding annually. These research programs are at the cutting edge of traditional areas of physics as well as being a major contributor to contemporary interdisciplinary institutions and centers.

Next Colloquium, December 3

Anna Roe, Psychology, Vanderbilt University

TBA

News & Announcements

  • Prof. Pantelides (lead PI) has received a grant in the amount of $1,556,399 over 4 years by the NSF GOALI Program for research in "The oxidation of silicon carbide and structure-defects mobility relations."
  • Graduate Fellowship Awards: Hui-Yiing Chang (NSF), Michael Clemens (SMART), Tommy LeBlanc (NASA).
  • Prof. David Weintraub awarded Thomas Jefferson Award for "distinguished service to Vanderbilt".
  • Prof. A.V. Ramayya has been awarded an honarary Doctor of Science degree from Eastern Kentucky University.
  • Prof. Kelly Holley-Bockelmann has received a $1.076M CAREER award from the National Science Foundation (the largest ever awarded in Astronomy).