SPS claims four conference awards

The Society of Physics Students demonstrated what makes it one of 21 national undergraduate programs as exemplary when four of its students were awarded research presentation awards at an annual regional joint meeting.

We are very proud of our physics program at ASU, senior James Matthews said.

"I was proud to be among those who showed the rest of the state and the states of the four corners region exactly the caliber of student ASU is capable of producing," he said.

The conference includes students from the Texas and Four Corners section of the American Physical Society, Texas Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers and Zones 13 and 16 of the Society of Physics students.

Thirteen students from ASU attended the conference.

Matthews, along with seniors Allison McMahon, Henry Schreiner II and junior Kunal Bhatnagar received $150 for placing among the top six undergraduates in the meeting's contest entries.

"As an undergraduate in Physics, winning this award is a huge honor," Matthews said. "Having my name called out and standing in front of an audience of professors and students in my field of interest was the biggest part of this award for me.

They may not all remember me or recognize my name now, but someone might, and that is worth much more than $150."

Participants were given the opportunity to present research which was judged based on student contribution to the project, scientific impact of the research, mastery of subject, clarity of presentation, delivery and graphics.

Junior Kunal Bhatnagar presented his research "Interfacial Barrier Height by Internal Photoemission for Metal/Oxide/Semiconductor Structure."

"In layman terms-I was trying to find a new and better materials to make better computer chips," Bhatnagar said. "We were doing research to find new materials that will improve performance of the device."

Bhatnagar said he enjoyed the hands-on experience the conference provides him and hopes to further his education with an internship and eventually a career with a semi-conductor company.

"Attending professional conferences is important not only for the visibility of Angelo State University, but also so our students can find out that they can compete well with other students from across the state in the south-west region," said Dr. Toni Sauncy, associate professor of physics.

Physics students are currently attending a conference in Chicago at the Fermi national lab for the quadrennial congress of Sigma Pi Sigma, the honors society for physics.

The conference's theme is Scientific Citizenship, focusing on diversity and outreach. ASU has 11 students presenting, whereas most societies only send two, Sauncy said.