Dominique Segura-Cox
University of Rochester

Abstract

_{Evidence that planet formation begins when protostars are less than 1 million years old continues to build. During this early phase of star formation, protostars and their disks are still embedded in (and feeding from) their natal environments at a time when the first steps of planet formation occur. In particular, streamers---long and narrow infalling channels that funnel material to disks from their environments---have been predicted theoretically in simulations and serendipitously observed in a variety of tracers.  In this talk I will outline the various ways streamers can influence the star and planet formation process and describe how asymmetric infall from the larger-scale environment influences disk structure, temperature, and chemistry.  These disk properties are directly connected to when planets form, where, and with what composition. Despite the growing evidence that the larger scale environments have an influence on the youngest planet-forming disks, my PRODIGE survey, carried out with the NOEMA interferometer, is the first and only large observing program specifically designed with streamers in mind.}

_{Timbits, coffee, tea will be served in STI A before the colloquium.}

Reina Maruyama
Yale University

Abstract

Astrophysical observations give overwhelming evidence for the existence of dark matter. Physicists from all over the world are mounting experiments to look for a variety of dark matter candidates that include WIMPs, axions, and their cousins, with no conclusive detection yet. There was one anomaly: a clear and persistent annual modulation observed in the data from DAMA/NaI and DAMA/LIBRA experiments. Since the late '90s, the DAMA collaboration has insisted that the annual modulation in their data is evidence for detection of dark matter, and there have been many speculations about the source of the modulation. I will summarize the status of the field, the ongoing work with COSINE-100, and discuss our most recent publication together with the ANAIS-112 experiment that addresses this question (PRL 135 121002, (2025)) in which we reject dark matter as the reason for DAMA’s observed modulation.

Timbits, coffee, tea will be served in STI A before the colloquium.

Kristin Poduska
Physics Department, Memorial University of Newfoundland

Abstract

Even though large-scale carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies are not yet well-developed and bring a range of risks, they are also recognized as an integral part of any strategy to successfully limit global warming. In this context, I will provide a brief overview of several high-profile climate policy documents [1-3] that describe the current state of CDR technologies, and highlight specific identified challenges where materials physics could help advance CDR solutions. Following this, I will show examples from my own research program that aim to train physics students within multidisciplinary collaborations that focus on linking fundamental science with the development of regionally appropriate CDR strategies. Multidisciplinarity is key because science and technology alone aren’t enough for success: effective policies, economics, and public engagement are also essential for mitigating climate change.

[1] IPCC, Climate Change 2023: Synthesis Report. Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, edited by H. Lee and J. Romero (IPCC, Geneva, Switzerland, 184 pp., 2023). DOI:10.59327/IPCC/AR6-9789291691647

[2] Washington Taylor, Brad Marston, Robert Rosner, and Jonathan Wurtele, PRX Energy 4, 017001 (2025). DOI: PRXEnergy.4.017001

[3] US Department of Energy Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences Roundtable, Foundational Science for Carbon Dioxide Removal Technologies (Washington, D.C., USA, 4 pp., 2022). DOI: 10.2172/1868525

Timbits, coffee, tea will be served in STI A before the colloquium.

Rowan Thomson
Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair,
Department of Physics at Carleton University

Abstract

As physicists, we research how to characterize changes in patterns across time and space. In medical physics, we devise new Monte Carlo algorithms to achieve more accurate absorbed dose distributions in realistic patient models: how can we characterize differences in 3D spatial distributions of dose compared with traditional evaluations? On shorter length scales, simulations of radiation interactions in detailed microscopic tissue models enable new evaluations of 3D microdosimetric distributions: how can we characterize these spatial patterns of energy deposition and connect with cellular response to radiation? Across science, there are efforts to address the challenges of equity, diversity, and inclusion: how do we assess changes with time? This colloquium will focus on research to quantify changes in – sometimes disparate – patterns in time and space.

Timbits, coffee, tea will be served in STI A before the colloquium.

Natasha Holmes
Cornell University

Abstract

Educational innovation is pushing towards providing students with authentic learning experiences. But what counts as authentic? In this talk, I’ll discuss the various ways we’ve been conceptualizing authenticity in introductory physics labs, from simulating authentic practice to embedding the lab exercises in more advanced physics topics, such as particle physics and active matter. We’ll discuss preliminary data about student learning and perceptions and explore future research questions.

Timbits, coffee, tea will be served in STI A before the colloquium.

Angela Lyon (Patent Agent) and Jason Hendry (Commercialization Director)
Queen’s Partnerships and Innovation

Abstract

Did you know that innovations at Queen's have generated millions of dollars for the university? Angela Lyon (Patent Agent) will provide an overview of the patent process that was key for Queen's-based research to have commercial success, and Jason Hendry (Commercialization Director) will tell us about how market-focused research improves is chance of commercial success. Both Angela and Jason will describe how their work at Queen's Partnerships and Innovation (QPI) can support researchers in Physics, Engineering Physics, and Astronomy to leverage their work at Queen's to impact communities around the world. Angela and Jason will also be available after the colloquium in the lounge to meet with people interested in discussing how QPI might support the commercialization of their work. QPI is sponsoring food in the lounge.

Timbits, coffee, tea will be served in STI A before the colloquium.

Abstract

Timbits, coffee, tea will be served in STI A before the colloquium.