Rayborn Lecture Series

Dr. Barry Barker
Director of the Laboratory for Physical Sciences
National Security Agency
"Quantum Computing: Getting Used to the Weirdness"

Quantum computers are designed to operate using the laws of quantum mechanics, which govern physics at the molecular scale and smaller  This approach has the potential to significantly increase computational power over the familiar computers of today, revolutionizing our ability to perform complex calculations and opening up unprecedented capabilities in computer simulation, mathematical computation, and artificial intelligence. Come learn about the future of quantum computing from one of today’s most successful leaders.

Dr. Sara Seager
Astrophysicist And Professor Of Physics And Planetary Science,
The Massachusetts Institute Of Technology (MIT)
“Exoplanets and the Search for Life Beyond Earth”

 Dr. Seager’s thought-provoking keynote presentation titled, “Exoplanets and the Search for Life Beyond Earth,” will explain, in layman’s terms, the exciting field of exoplanet research and her quest for the holy grail to find and identify an Earth-type planet and signs of life on them. She will also share the latest advances in this revolutionary field.

Dr. Michelle Wang
Cornell University Professor, Howard Hughes
Memorial Institute Investigator and
University Of Southern Mississippi Alumna (’88)

“UNTANGLING MOLECULES OF LIFE”

DNA replication intertwines daughter DNA molecules, and this poses topological challenges to chromosome segregation during cell division. The ability to manipulate single molecules with precision and control is beginning to shed light on how torsional mechanics may impact DNA intertwining. My talk will highlight the importance of physical principles in fundamental biological processes. 

Dr. David Spergel
Charles A. Young Professor Of Astronomy
Department Of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University
Director, Center For Computational Astrophysics, Flatiron Institute

“OUR SIMPLE AND STRANGE UNIVERSE”

Our observations of the microwave background, the left-over heat from the big bang, have revealed a universe that is both remarkably simple and very strange. With only five basic numbers, we can completely describe all of the properties of the early universe and can predict the large-scale distribution of galaxies and matter. This simple model implies that atoms make up only 5% of the universe and that mysterious dark matter and dark energy dominate our universe. Dr. Spergel will describe the evidence for this now standard cosmological model and his efforts to work with NASA to build a mission dedicated to understanding the properties of dark energy.

Dr. William D. Phillips
Nobel Laureate in Physics Physicist,
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Leader of the NIST Laser Cooling and Trapping Group
Distinguished University Professor at the University of Maryland

“TIME, EINSTEIN AND THE COOLEST STUFF IN THE UNIVERSE”

Einstein changed the way we think about time. Now, the measurement of time is being revolutionized by the ability to cool a gas of atoms to temperatures billions of times lower than anything else in the universe. This lively, multimedia presentation will include experimental demonstrations and down-to-earth explanations about some of today’s most exciting science.

Dr. Sylvester James Gates
John S. Toll Professor of Physics
Director of the String and Particle Theory Center
University of Maryland, College Park

“WILL THE PRECISION HUNTERS BE THE FIRST TO SPOT SUSY'S FOOTPRINTS?”

Now that the existence of one Higgs boson has been well-established experimentally, precision measurements of properties of other particles have the potential to spot the first evidence of “supersymmetry” (or “SUSY”) by finding signs of at least one other Higgs boson.