Speakers scheduled for Science Talks series at Purdue

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — This semester’s Science Talks series continues with an expert on gravitational wave astronomy.

The series will feature Shane Larson, a research associate professor of physics at Northwestern University, speaking on “Songs from the Stellar Graveyard: Probing the Cosmos in Gravitational Waves.”

The talk takes place at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday (Feb. 14) at Fowler Hall in Stewart Center.

Purdue University Chapter of Society for Applied Spectroscopy’s (PUCSAS) is coordinating the Science Talks series.

Prasoon Diwakar, society advisor and senior research associate for Purdue’s Center for Materials Under Extreme Environment, said the series will address various aspects of science, art and education and stimulate discussion among students, faculty and the public.

Larson is the associate director of CIERA (Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics) at Northwestern. He works in the field of gravitational wave astrophysics, specializing in studies of compact stars, binaries and the galaxy. He works in gravitational wave astronomy with both the ground-based Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) collaboration and a future space-based detector project.

Three additional speakers are scheduled for the ongoing series:

March 26, 6 p.m. at Loeb Playhouse, Stewart Center. Danielle Fienberg, Pixar director of photography for lighting. “The Art of Science: Bringing Pixar’s Imagined Worlds to Life.” Followed by screening of the Pixar film "Coco" in collaboration with Asha at Purdue student organization.

March 30. Time/venue to be determined. Ali Abdou, adjunct professor of mechanical engineering at Pennsylvania State University, Harrisburg. “The Elusive Plasma: A Journey to Plasma Wonderland.”

 April 3, 6:30 p.m. Loeb Playhouse, Stewart Center. Joe McNally, internationally acclaimed photographer who has shot several cover stories for National Geographic, Life and Sports Illustrated magazines.
 

Writer: Brian L. Huchel, 765-494-2084, bhuchel@purdue.edu

Source: Prasoon Diwakar, 765-494-6984, pdiwakar@purdue.edu