Department of Physics & Department of Physics & AstronomyAstronomy

Advisory Board Meeting

Friday, November 7, 2003

Welcome

Today’s AgendaToday’s Agenda

8:30 Mix and Mingle9:00 State of the Department11:00 Revision of Board MissionNoon Lunch1:00 Industrial Relations: Past, Present &

Future 2:00 Importance of Networking (Strategies for

Board Members)3:30 Subcommittees5:30 Dinner – Mondo’s

Overview of the Strategic planOverview of the Strategic plan• Revitalize graduate program

• improve recruiting• increase incentives• integrate grad students with research programs• improve retention

• Maintain strong undergraduate program

• Curriculum Development• improve student satisfaction• develop new courses for non-science majors

• Develop a long-range hiring plan

Hiring Plan - ProcessHiring Plan - Process Departmental Review and Space Science Review foundation of plan Faculty grouped into three primary research areas

Space/Plasma/Astronomy Condensed Matter/Optics High Energy Particle/Nuclear

Research groups worked on preliminary long term plans Group plans were brought to the Executive Committee for discussion Long-range plan developed by negotiating and combining individual

plans Discussion at faculty meetings Plan overwhelmingly approved by the faculty Submitted to the CLAS in February 2003 Meetings with Dean Maxson to sell the plan

Hiring Plan - ResultsHiring Plan - Results

• 13 lines over next 10 years• 5 in condensed matter – nano & quantum information• 5 in space sciences – space-based astro & space plasma• 3 in high energy-nuclear – accelerator & astroparticle

• Plan to increase faculty size to 35

• Anticipated retirements of current faculty anticipated

• Long Range Hiring Plans is designed • To provide excellence in our 3 major research areas• To grow and improve graduate student training• To enhance our teaching mission

Space Science ReviewSpace Science Review

Summary comments from review:

• Build from strength…The Committee considers that the best opportunity for Iowa to improve its national visibility and reputation is to preserve and enhance its historical base of excellence in space science

• Aging workforce? Potential influx of students

• Capability to build space hardware and train students (machine shop, electronics shop, etc.)

Space Science - The PlanSpace Science - The Plan

•Hire an experimentalist who can compete for hardware missions•Hire at the mid to senior level•Broaden to include space-based astronomy•Tied to particle astrophysics – link to high energy•Involve graduate students in hardware development

Space Science – Space Science – Potential Potential DifficultiesDifficulties

• Creating shared infrastructure• Implementing hiring plan quickly to maintain resources• Mentoring by senior faculty• Strong departmental and collegiate leadership• Adequate start up funds

Recent InitiativesRecent Initiatives Faculty/Staff Hires & Infrastructure

– Faculty: Cornelia Lang (Astronomy), Markus Wohlgenannt (CMO) – Two faculty searches this year (Plasma Theory & Space-Astronomy)– New computer staff member– Recurring research staff budget lines – Machine Shop equipment

Student Recruitment – GAANN– REU– Increase in graduate stipend– Council for Status of Women – Site Visit– UG Open House

Community Outreach– Hawkeye’s on Science Proposal– Sounds of Space– Distinguished Lecture Series

New Faculty SearchesNew Faculty Searches

Two searches for AY 03-04 Experimental Space-Based Astronomy

– Assistant to Associate level– $1M start up package– Dean Maxson committed to preserving search

Plasma Theory– Replacement for Bhattacharjee – (UNH)– Junior appointment

Machine Shop – InfrastructureMachine Shop – Infrastructure

$225 K of new equipment purchased for Physics Machine Shop– Sharpe manual lathe– Milltronics CNC lathe– Milltronics CNC vertical milling machine – Electrical discharge machine (EDM )

Chemistry & Physics/Astronomy faculty are on equal ground as to shop prioritizes

Open House scheduled for spring 2004 to showcase new equipment

Committee StructureCommittee Structure

External Review Committee recommendationAppoint Advisory Committee that broadly represents DepartmentDevelop strategic decision making Develop stronger committee structure in key aspects

• Recruitment & Admissions Committee• Educational Operations Committee

Build departmental consensus through committeesEncourage open communication

GAANN Proposal GAANN Proposal

Provides grants to support graduate studentsDepartment of Education – national needs

– physicsThree year proposal to bring in four new

students - three US minorities and one woman

PI – Vincent Rodgers

NSF REU Grant Proposal NSF REU Grant Proposal

Research Experience for Undergraduates - REU Opportunity for undergraduates - particularly

those majoring in Physics and/or Astronomy - to get paid to work on a research project for the summer with a scientist

The NSF provides money to the site so that they can hire 6-10 students to work with faculty who are interested in hosting a student

PI – Mary Hall Reno Goal – Recruitment of Graduate Students

Increasing TA StipendsIncreasing TA Stipends• Comparison with data from Midwest Physics Chairs

• net compensation in bottom quartile

• Agreement in Fall 2002 with CLAS• Incentive program to increase stipends• Based on increases in number of RAs in Department• If P&A increase by two RAs - the college will increase

funding by equivalent of one TA

• Current AY stipend: $17,500

• Supplemented by new tuition remission policy

Recruitment Open House - DeRecruitment Open House - December 2003cember 2003

Forum/open house for high school educators, guidance counselors and students who would like to learn about educational and career opportunities in physics and astronomy.

– Discuss career opportunities in physics and astronomy – Life as a physics and/or astronomy major– Outreach programs that may directly benefit your students– Talk to current students, staff and faculty– Tour of research laboratories and facilities– Provide lunch with faculty/staff

APS CSWP Site VisitAPS CSWP Site Visit

To assess the climate for women in the Department

High Points of the Site Visit:– Department had made positive changes in recent years– Climate is “Welcoming and Supportive”– Commitment to increasing diversity – Strong interest in welfare of its students– More vigilant in monitoring progress of students

APS CSWP Site VisitAPS CSWP Site Visit - continued - continued

Recommendations:–Improve facilities – grad office, grad commons & computer facilities

–Increased effort to recruit and retain UG and Grad women

–Optimize use of University resources to recruit women & minority faculty

–Departmental support for WISE

–New lab equipment for upper division courses

–Teaching assignments for 1st year courses

–Strengthen connection with Science Education/Education

–Increase graduate stipends – to cover tuition

–Stats to better monitor demographic profile

–Family friendly environment

Sounds of SpaceSounds of Space

Irvine, California 200 + guests for free event

Sounds of Space and "Sun Rings": A Multimedia Experience of Space

Exploring Space For Younger Guests (6 - 12)

Sponsored by the Alumni Association,College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Physics and Astronomy

Rolling Outreach ProgramRolling Outreach ProgramHawk-Eyes on ScienceHawk-Eyes on Science

A mobile science outreach program throughout the state of Iowa. Hands-on physics and chemistry demonstrations K-12 audiences A key goal - to pique the natural curiosity of these students at an early age Three year proposal to Roy J. Carver Foundation – $164,225

– purchase of a dedicated cargo van – outfitted with portable experiments – 12 month TA

Mobile Outreach ContinuedMobile Outreach Continued

Donation of 24” TelescopeDonation of 24” Telescope• Have worked with Cedar Amateur Astronomers in past

• CAA expressed interest in 24” telescope that is located the Hills Observatory

• Plan to build in Observatory at Palisades Observatory in Mount Vernon, IA

• Iowa faculty, staff and students will have access to the telescope

• Removed in October 2003.

Distinguished Public Distinguished Public Lecture SeriesLecture Series

Supported by the CLAS, Physics and Astronomy and Vice President of Research

Bring the most exciting recent advances in physics and astronomy directly to the public through talks given by departmental faculty and invited speakers

This new lecture series is intended to generate a faithful following within the community, which then actively supports university activities

Web site

Student Demographics Student Demographics

Enrollment TrendsPlacement InformationIncrease in Research Assistant positionsFemale Enrollment

UG Enrollments UG Enrollments

01020

3040

5060

7080

90100

Fall 99 Fall 00 Fall 01 Fall 02 Fall 03

TotalMalesFemales

Graduate EnrollmentsGraduate Enrollments

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Fall 99 Fall 00 Fall 01 Fall 02 Fall 03

TotalMalesFemales

UG PlacementUG Placement

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

HS TeacherIndustryContinued SchoolUnemployedUnknown

MS PlacementMS Placement

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

1st Qtr

HS TeacherIndustryAcademiaContinued SchoolUnemployed

Ph.D PlacementPh.D Placement

0

2

4

6

8

1 0

1 2

I n d u s t r yA c a d e m i a

TA & RA DistributionTA & RA Distribution

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Fall 99 Fall 00 Fall 01 Fall 02 Fall 03

TA RAFellows

Female DemographicsFemale Demographics

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Fall 99 Fall 00 Fall 01 Fall 02 Fall 03

UG

Grad

BREAK

Revision of Board MissionRevision of Board Mission

Review Draft Statement Solicit feedback from group members New members Focus is relationship building and establishing networks

– Community advocates – Outreach to the community – Industrial Relations & Economic Development – Fundraising – Marketing students

GoalGoal

To promote partnerships and establish networks that will help the Department of Physics and Astronomy carry out its strategic plan.

Through these partnerships and Through these partnerships and networks, we aspire to:networks, we aspire to:

• provide high quality community outreach activities;

• develop business/University partnerships that facilitate the formulation of research projects of mutual interest and benefit;

• build a network of community advocates to help promote the Department;

• strengthen relationships with alumni and friends; and

• market our students to potential employers.

Community OutreachCommunity Outreach

Committee Chair: Alan TribbleMembers: TBDMission Ideas

– Sharing knowledge of physics with the general public and schools

– Encouraging the study of physics– ‘Market’ The University of Iowa Department of

Physics and Astronomy to potential students– Relationship building and advocacy within the

University of Iowa community

Industrial and Research Industrial and Research Institute RelationsInstitute Relations

Committee Chair: TBD

Members: TBD, Diane Gallagher (Office of Corporate Relations)

Mission Ideas– Building extensive and strong relationships with industry and research institutes

Benefits– Potential resource support for research at Iowa– Opportunities for employment of students

– Economic development

Questions– How should contacts (businesses and institutes) be identified and selected from?– Should focus be on contacts with direct tie to Iowa research focus, or balanced with

potential for student placement?– What is the required commitment level from faculty?– What roles do Board members and faculty play in developing the relationships?

Student Recruitment and Student Recruitment and PlacementPlacement

Committee Chair: TBD

Members: TBD, Michelle Stricker (Career Advisor)

Mission Ideas– Recruitment

Assist in finding high caliber undergrad and grad students and market UofI Department of Physics and Astronomy (Coordinate as appropriate with Community Outreach)

– Placement Assist in finding and enabling internship opportunities Assist in finding full-time job opportunities and assist in marketing the

Iowa program and its students Advise on the preparation of students for internships and full-time jobs

Committee Inter-relationshipsCommittee Inter-relationships

Community Outreach

Industry/Research Relations

Student Recruitment and Placement

Finding and motivating potential students

Finding and enhancing opportunities for internships and full-time jobs

Find funding sources for outreach activities

Obvious Keys to SuccessObvious Keys to Success

– Keeping momentum going for initiatives after we’ve scattered for home. How will activities be coordinated and driven?

– Defining expectations for the on-site at Iowa committee members.

LunchLunch

Past Successes and FuturePast Successes and Future

•Summarize successful experiences with industry •Professor Bob Mutel – Torus Technologies•Professor Tom Boggess – Overview of Past Successes

•How industry could help a faculty member succeed with current research

•Professor Markus Wohlgenannt

A Summary of Industrial Collaborations

• HRL (Hughes Research) Laboratories• Major industrial research lab• Malibu, CA

• Rockwell Collins• Local industry• High-tech

• Terahertz Device Corporation• Start-up high-tech company• Salt Lake City, UT

• Cryovac – SealedAire• Local industry• Food storage

• We provide them with expertise and facilities and they do the

same for us:

Spin Filter with 100nm feature size – fabricated at HRL

HRL Laboratories – Best Example

• UI Funding exclusively pass-through• Mid-IR semiconductor lasers (AFRL, 1993 – 1996; ~$196K)• Spintronics (DARPA, 2000-2004; ~$600K)• UpSpins; Bio-Chem Sensors; IR Optoelectronics (DARPA)??• Led to separate NSF, AFRL, ONR, JPL Funding (~$2.5M)

• Bob Sternowski (RC) / David Andersen (ECE)

• Non-line-of-sight UV free-space optical communications (1998-2000; $85K)

• Funding directly from Rockwell

• Follow-on project with Softronics• Sternowski’s start-up• Summer grad support (Amrit De)• Bob was very pleased with this arrangement

Rockwell Collins

• Design, growth, characterization of materials for THz external-cavity lasers (2001 – present)

• Phase I STTR* (AFOSR, ~$27K)• Phase II STTR (AFOSR, ~$150K)

• Collaboration with Flatté, Prineas

• Potential direct AFOSR connection

* Small Business Technology Transfer Program

Terahertz Device Corporation

Cryovac – SealedAire, Cedar Rapids

• Plastic food storage bags

• Proposed project to convert thermal sealing and mechanical cutting to laser-based processing

• concept developed internally at Cryovac• conversion would increase throughput, safety and reduce maintenance, noise• they need optics/laser expertise

• Cryovac not willing to invest own resources

• Currently considering proposal to Iowa Values Fund• would include ~$1M funding for UI – research and prototype development• funds for pilot facility at CR plant

• Intellectual property a serious concern

Pros and Cons of Industrial Partnerships

On the Up Side:• Access to equipment and expertise not available at UI• Connections to funders and programs that we would otherwise not access• Insight into what is important in “real world”• Student & postdoc contact with industrial environment• Potential source of employment for students/postdocs

But:• Don’t count on big $ coming directly from industry

- more likely through subcontract• Constant nurturing• Travel• IP and nondisclosure agreements• Potential for delay in publishing• On large projects, industry often takes lead – you are not in the driver’s seat

Networking PresentationNetworking Presentation

Fred Streicher,

Director of External Relations,

College of Engineering How to Successfully Build Networks Importance of Relationship Building Strategies for Board Members

BREAK

SubcommitteesSubcommittees

•Specific strategies that group members could do to help us succeed •Community Advocates and Outreach •Industrial Relations and Economic Development •Student Recruitment and Placement

Report from Report from SubcommitteesSubcommittees

• Community Advocates and Outreach

• Industrial Relations and Economic Development

• Student Recruitment and Placement