Physics
PHY 497 Seminar series
Relocation
Due to the demolition of Cowley Hall and construction of Prairie Springs Science Center Phase II, the Physics Department will be temporarily relocated to 339G Wimberly Hall. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Physics and Astronomy Seminar (PHY 497)
This seminar series is intended for majors and minors in the department of physics as well as other students interested in physics, engineering and astronomy. It will consist of a weekly series of talks given by visiting scientists and engineers as well as senior research students and is held in both the fall and spring semesters.
Attendance is not limited to physics students and faculty - all students and faculty are welcome to attend.
For information on the Spring 2026 presentations or if you have any questions, please contact Dr. Eric Gansen, Physics Professor, at egansen@uwlax.edu.
Spring 2026 Seminars
(All seminars begin at 3:20 p.m. and are held in 212 Wimberly Hall unless otherwise noted)
Wednesday, January 28
Topic: Seminar Description and Expectations
Speaker: Dr. Eric Gansen, Physics Professor, UW-La Crosse
Wednesday, February 4
Topic: What is Engineering Physics?
Speaker: Dr. Eric Gansen, Physics Professor, UW-La Crosse
Wednesday, February 11
Topic: Shock Response to Wood-Based Composites
Speaker: Dr. Maharshi Dave, Senior Vibro-Acoustics Engineer, TRANE Technologies
Wednesday, February 18
Topic: Building the Cathedral of Quantum Mechanics
Speaker: Dr. Michel Janssen, School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Minnesota
Wednesday, February 25
Topic: TBA
Wednesday, March 4
Topic: Physics in Action: Exploring Careers & Internships
Speaker: Carolyn Moe, UWL Career Services and Joe Heger, Screw and Centrifugal Compressor Mechanical Engineer Manager, TRANE Technologies
Wednesday, March 11
Topic: The Physics of the Great Lakes
Speaker: Dr. Jay Austin, Professor, Physics and Astronomy and Large Lakes Observatory, University of Minnesota Duluth
Wednesday, March 18
Spring Break - No Seminar
Wednesday, March 25
Topic: Dual-Degree Physics and Engineering at the University of Minnesota Duluth
Speaker: Dr. Rachel Ellestad, Associate Dean for Student Success, Swenson College of Science and Engineering, University of Minnesota Duluth
Wednesday, April 1
Topic: Medical Physics and PET Imaging in Alzheimer's Disease: A Graduate Student Perspective
Speaker: Brecca Bettcher, Graduate Student, Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Wednesday, April 8
Topic: Probing Heavy Element Materials (Np, Pu, Am) with Scanning Tunneling Microscopy/Spectroscopy
Speaker: Dr. Benjamin Heiner, Postdoctoral Researcher, Los Alamos National Laboratory
Wednesday, April 15
No Seminar
Wednesday, April 22
Topic: Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium Rocket Competition
Speaker: Dominic Cefalu and Charles Beaudette, Physics Majors, UW-La Crosse
Wednesday, April 29
Topic: Capstone Poster Session
Speaker: Dr. Shauna Sallmen, Physics Professor, UW-La Crosse
Wednesday, May 6
Topic: Dual-Degree Physics and Engineering at UW-Platteville
Speaker: Melissa Gavin, Director, Distance Engineering Program, College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science, UW-Platteville