Events List for the Academic Year
Event Time:
Thursday, July 17, 2025 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Event Location:
BRIM 311
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2025-07-17T10:00:00
2025-07-17T11:00:00
The Strange Universe of Quantum Phases Driven by Interplay between Multipoles and Conduction Electrons
Event Information:
Multipolar moments embedded in a metallic setting paves a new route to extend the landscape of novel quantum phenomena beyond the spin-only paradigm [1]. A model material platform for exploring multipolar physics is the cubic heavy-fermion system PrTr_2Al_20 (Tr = Ti, V). This system features a nonmagnetic ground state in which the magnetic dipolar moment (spin) is absent, but higher-rank multipolar moments (quadrupoles and octupoles) are active [2]. The Kondo entanglement of these local multipolar moments with conduction electrons results in a rich phase diagram comprising multipolar orders, non-Fermi liquid (NFL) phase, and exotic superconductivity [2-5]. In this talk, I will present our experimental investigation into the multipolar ordered phases multipolar quantum criticality and novel superconductivity in PrTr_2Al_20, which contrast sharply from those in the familiar magnetic settings. References [1] S. Paschen and Q. Si, Nat. Rev. Phys. 3, 9-26 (2021) [2] A. Sakai and S. Nakatsuji, J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. 80, 063701 (2011) [3] K. Matsubayashi, T. Tanaka, A. Sakai et al., Phys. Rev. Letts. 109, 187004 (2012) [4] M. Fu, A. Sakai, N, Sogabe et al., J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. 89, 013704 (2020) [5] A. Sakai, Y. Matsumoto, M. Fu et al., Nat. Commun 16, 2114 (2025)
Speaker Bio: Dr. Mingxuan Fu received her undergraduate degree in Physics from the University of Toronto in 2010 and earned her PhD in Experimental Condensed Matter Physics from McMaster University in 2015. She subsequently held a joint postdoctoral position with Professor Collin Broholm at Johns Hopkins University and the NIST Center for Neutron Research, followed by a NSERC postdoctoral fellowship under Professor Stephen Julian at the University of Toronto (2015–2019). In 2019, Dr. Fu joined the University of Tokyo as a JSPS Fellow and is currently a Project Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics. She is a member of Professor Satoru Nakatsuji’s research group. Her research experiences encompass several central themes in quantum materials, including quantum critical phenomena and exotic superconductivity in strongly correlated electron systems, frustrated quantum magnetism, and topological materials, and her current focus is on multipolar-driven quantum phenomena and functional topological antiferromagnets.
Event Location:
BRIM 311
Event Time:
Thursday, June 19, 2025 | 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Event Location:
Vancouver Public Library - Central Branch (Montalbano Family Theatre - level 8)
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2025-06-19T18:00:00
2025-06-19T19:30:00
How the Universe Works: An Introduction to Galactic Radio Astronomy
Event Information:
Curious about how the universe actually works? Join the experts from UBC’s Department of Physics and Astronomy to find out fun facts about everything from the Milky Way to radio waves in this new, accessible science series: How the Universe Works!. All are welcome!
Abstract:
Imagine that you look up on a dark clear night, seeing countless stars scattered across the sky, divided by the hazy band of the Milky Way—our Galaxy. The haziness of the Galactic Plane is caused by vast clouds of dust lining the Galactic disk, which obscure much of the Galaxy from our sight. But what if we could see beyond the dust, revealing the hidden structures and objects that share our cosmic home? This is where Galactic radio astronomy truly shines, allowing us to peer through the darkness and uncover the Milky Way’s secrets.
In this talk, we’ll step beyond the limits of optical astronomy and into the invisible world of radio waves, mapping our Galaxy in a whole new way. From the birth of radio astronomy to the frontiers of modern research, we’ll explore how these maps not only help us understand the Milky Way but also allow us to remove it from our view—clearing the way to see the universe beyond.
Bio:
Dr. Thomas J. Rennie is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of British Columbia, where he specializes in analyzing and interpreting radio maps of the Milky Way. After obtaining his Ph.D., Dr. Rennie joined UBC to work on the Canadian Galactic Emission Mapper (CGEM) project, which focuses on a new telescope being built at the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory (DRAO) in Penticton, BC. CGEM maps will play a key role in a global effort to further our understanding of our Galaxy and to look deeper and reveal the echo of the Big Bang (the Cosmic Microwave Background, or CMB) and probe the very earliest moments in the history of the universe.
Learn More:
About the Canadian Galactic Emission Mapper (CGEM) project: https://cgem.ubc.ca/
About the Dominion Radio Astrophysics Observatory (DRAO): https://nrc.canada.ca/en/research-development/nrc-facilities/dominion-radio-astrophysical-observatory-research-facility
About the "Big Bang": https://science.nasa.gov/universe/the-big-bang/
About the Cosmic Microwave Background: https://lambda.gsfc.nasa.gov/education/graphic_history/microwaves.html
About Thomas Rennie: https://tjrennie.github.io/index.html
Event Location:
Vancouver Public Library - Central Branch (Montalbano Family Theatre - level 8)
Event Time:
Thursday, May 15, 2025 | 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Event Location:
Vancouver Public Library - Central Branch (Montalbano Family Theatre - level 8)
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2025-05-15T18:00:00
2025-05-15T19:30:00
How the Universe Works: Qunatum Mechanics - the Music of the Universe
Event Information:
Curious about how the universe actually works? Join the experts from UBC’s Department of Physics and Astronomy to find out fun facts about everything from the Milky Way to radio waves in this new, accessible science series: How the Universe Works!. All are welcome!
Abstract:
Quantum mechanics is the sometimes bizarre set of physics rules that gives our best understanding of how nature works at a fundamental level.
In this talk, Dr. Van Raamsdonk will introduce some of the key ideas of quantum mechanics -- including quantum superpositions, wavefunctions, and indeterminacy -- by describing how these are related to much more familiar ideas from the science of music and musical instruments.
Bio:
Mark Van Raamsdonk is a professor of theoretical physics at the University of British Columbia. His research areas include quantum mechanics, general relativity, string theory, and cosmology. He is also an amateur musician, specializing in jazz saxophone.
Learn More:
About Mark: https://phas.ubc.ca/~mav/vanraamsdonk.html
About quantum mechanics: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_mechanics
About science and music: https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/resources-for-educators/classroom-resources/media-and-interactives/media/music/connections/connections/science--music/
Event Location:
Vancouver Public Library - Central Branch (Montalbano Family Theatre - level 8)
Event Time:
Thursday, May 8, 2025 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Event Location:
HENN 318
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2025-05-08T14:00:00
2025-05-08T15:00:00
Searches for novel gravitational-wave sources with ground and space-based detectors
Event Information:
Abstract:
Gravitational waves (GWs) probe the fundamental nature of neutron stars (NSs) and black holes (BHs). Observations of GWs by ground-based interferometric detectors, like the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO), have yielded key insights into the formation channels of compact binaries and the physics of ultra-dense NS matter. The planned space-based Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) will detect entirely new GW sources inaccessible with present-day interferometers. In this thesis, I present new data analysis methods for ground and space-based detectors that enable future discoveries of novel GW sources.
Spinning, non-axisymmetric NSs can emit weak continuous gravitational waves (CWs). Most CW searches assume a specific phase model for the signal, but are less sensitive to sources that deviate from this model, such as NSs in binary systems. In this thesis, I describe an end-to-end CW search pipeline that is robust to a wider range of signal morphologies, combining semi-coherent matched filtering techniques with a hidden Markov model (HMM) frequency tracking scheme. Using Advanced LIGO data from the third observing run, I applied this pipeline to analyze candidate signals reported by a previous radiometer-style GW search. No credible CW signals were detected. By recovering simulated signals into detector data, I show that our approach can detect CW signals with amplitudes h ~ 9e-26 in the most sensitive frequency band (~200 Hz) of the detectors. I also apply this pipeline in a search for CWs from the Vela pulsar following a spin-up glitch.
In the second part of this thesis, I characterized the ability of LISA to detect hierarchical triple systems, consisting of a stellar-mass BH binary (BHB) orbiting a supermassive black hole (SMBH). The stellar-mass BHB component may undergo high-amplitude eccentricity oscillations due to gravitational torques exerted by the SMBH, emitting repeated GW bursts detectable by LISA. Focusing on potential BHB-SMBH triples in the Galactic centre, I used simulated LISA data to demonstrate that an unmodelled wavelet decomposition of the data recovers the time-frequency properties of each burst, and further show how this approach can be used to study the eccentricity evolution of the perturbed BHB and the dynamics of BHB-SMBH triples.
Event Location:
HENN 318
Event Time:
Tuesday, April 29, 2025 | 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Event Location:
HENN 318
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2025-04-29T13:00:00
2025-04-29T14:00:00
High-parallel field spectrometer extends capability of TRIUMF beta-detected nuclear magnetic resonance
Event Information:
Abstract:
This thesis reports the design and implementation of a new high-parallel field spectrometer, which extends the capability of TRIUMF beta-detected nuclear magnetic resonance (beta-NMR) facility with fields up to 200 mT parallel to the sample surface.
The magnetic field range and spectrometer configuration are designed to allow nm-scale depth-resolved studies of superconducting RF (SRF) materials up to the superconducting critical field of Nb, the main material for SRF cavities. SRF cavities are the main technology behind high-energy and high-power linear accelerators (linacs) worldwide, allowing charged particle acceleration using radiofrequency (RF) accelerating gradient up to several tens of MV/m. The accelerating electric fields along the cavity axis are accompanied by the RF magnetic fields parallel to the cavity wall, which induce dissipation due to the penetrating magnetic fields contained within 100 nm layer of the cavity surface in the flux-free superconducting Meissner state.
The ability of the SRF materials to screen and contain magnetic fields within the penetration depth, as well as the maximum field limit before strongly dissipative magnetic fluxes enter the bulk of the material (and induce RF quenches of the SRF cavity), have been found to be very sensitive to different types of surface treatments. The magnetic field-dependent surface dissipation affects the operational cost of SRF cavities, and the maximum magnetic field that can be sustained in the Meissner state ultimately limits the maximum accelerating gradient of SRF cavities.
Various surface treatment recipes using heat treatment and/or impurity diffusion have been developed which demonstrate enhanced performance of SRF cavities. Complete understanding of the underlying mechanism of this enhancement, however, requires a more controlled microscopic study of the near surface layer. Depth-resolved measurements of the magnetic field screening below the surface of SRF materials are made possible with this new spectrometer, which combines local magnetic field measurements via spin-polarized radioactive ion beam (RIB) produced at TRIUMF ISAC facility (commonly uses Li-8 positive ions), and the suitable spectrometer which allows high-parallel field combined with implantation depth-control of the probing ions via deceleration of the their momentum.
The new spectrometer requires modifications of the existing beta-detected nuclear quadrupole resonance (beta-NQR) beamline, and an additional ~1 m beamline extension. The magnetic field configuration parallel to the sample surface (and initial spin polarization of the probe) but transverse to the beam momentum deflects the beam vertically and requires compensation via electrostatic steering of the RIB to deliver beam to the target sample. The details of design, assembly, various stages of beamline installation, and operations of the various elements both along the beamline and the new spectrometer are all presented in this thesis.Also provided are the test results of the new/modified components, and the commissioning results proving the functionality of the new spectrometer using RIB.
Depth-resolved measurements on two Nb samples with different surface treatments typically applied to SRF cavities have been performed on the new spectrometer up to the maximum available fields (of 200 mT). The results demonstrate the sensitivity of the beta-NMR technique in characterizing the magnetic field screening, and provide a working method for future SRF study. These results also provide comparison of the different screening responses of various Nb samples to the applied magnetic fields due to the modified surface layers. The change in the magnetic penetration depth with increased fields are then compared to various theoretical predictions on the role of the modified surface. Outlook on future experiments on different SRF materials (such as layered superconductors), as well as potential applications of the new spectrometer for other materials are proposed.
Event Location:
HENN 318
Event Time:
Tuesday, April 29, 2025 | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Event Location:
(In-person): 15th Floor Meeting Room, BC Cancer Research Institute, 675 W 10th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 0B4
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2025-04-29T10:00:00
2025-04-29T12:00:00
Deep-Learning-Guided Image Generation, Enhancement and Analyses: With Applications to Nuclear Medicine Imaging
Event Information:
Abstract:Modern nuclear medicine imaging pipeline involves image generation, enhancement, and analysis, each facing challenges in reconstruction fidelity, quantitative reliability, and automated interpretation. This thesis presents deep learning approaches to overcome these limitations throughout the nuclear medicine pipeline.
In Chapter 2, we propose **DIP-SPECTNet**, an unsupervised approach leveraging the inductive bias of convolutional networks to denoise SPECT projections without paired training data. Exploiting the deep image prior technique, our method separated noiseless photopeak projections from Poisson noise while preserving anatomical features in low-count regimes.
In Chapter 3, we present **DAWN-FM**, a novel framework for solving ill-posed inverse problems through data and noise-aware flow matching. Incorporating embeddings for measured data and noise characteristics into the training process, we solved deblurring and tomography inverse problems in the presence of noise. Our method’s ability to sample from the learned posterior enables the exploration of the solution space and facilitates uncertainty quantification.
In Chapter 4, we develop a **comprehensive framework for evaluating deep-learning methods for lymphoma quantitation**. Rigorous comparison with expert annotations showed that networks match physician performance for large lesions while revealing shared limitations in detecting small, low-contrast abnormalities.
In Chapter 5, we introduce **IgCONDA-PET** to overcome annotation scarcity for training networks for anomaly detection in PET. Our weakly-supervised approach combined attention-mechanisms with counterfactual diffusion modeling to localize lesions without pixel-level supervision, outperforming other competing methods across diverse cancer phenotypes.
In Chapter 6, we propose **Thyroidiomics**, a machine-learning framework for thyroid disease classification using scintigraphy imaging. Integrating deep segmentation with radiomics analysis achieved physician-level accuracy while reducing additional test requirements and assessment time.
Finally, in Chapter 7, we present **Multiscale Stochastic Gradient Descent**, addressing computational challenges in high-resolution network training. The computation of the gradient of loss using a coarse-to-fine strategy with novel mesh-free convolutions enabled efficient convergence while maintaining resolution consistency, which is crucial for training deep learning models where training compute is often the bottleneck, especially in the case of high-resolution imaging.
Together, these AI solutions have the potential to enhance nuclear medicine from acquisition to diagnosis by addressing core challenges in data quality, annotation needs, and computational efficiency, bridging innovation with clinical implementation.
Event Location:
(In-person): 15th Floor Meeting Room, BC Cancer Research Institute, 675 W 10th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 0B4
Event Time:
Thursday, April 24, 2025 | 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Event Location:
Vancouver Public Library - Central Branch (Montalbano Family Theatre, level 8)
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2025-04-24T18:00:00
2025-04-24T19:30:00
How the Universe Works: Milky Way - Our Place in the Universe
Event Information:
Curious about how the universe actually works? Join the experts from UBC’s Department of Physics and Astronomy to find out fun facts about everything from quantum physics to the Milky Way in this new, accessible science series: How the Universe Works! All are welcome!
Abstract:
Have you ever wondered where we are situated in the Universe, beyond our Earth and the Solar System? Dr. Man will present the chronicle of discoveries that led us to understand our place in the Universe, discoveries enabled by scientific and technological advancement in distance measurements. You will learn how we can measure astronomical distances using light alone!
Bio:
Dr. Allison Man uses the most advanced telescopes to study how massive galaxies like our own Milky Way came to be. She investigates the physics behind starburst activity, colliding galaxies and supermassive black holes. Before joining UBC as an assistant professor, she was a postdoctoral fellow at the European Southern Observatory and at the University of Toronto. Allison received her PhD in Astrophysics from the University of Copenhagen.
Learn More:
About the Milky Way: https://science.nasa.gov/resource/the-milky-way-galaxy/
About Astrophysics: https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/
About Allison Man at UBC Physics & Astronomy: https://phas.ubc.ca/users/allison-man
Event Location:
Vancouver Public Library - Central Branch (Montalbano Family Theatre, level 8)
Event Time:
Thursday, April 17, 2025 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Event Location:
BRIM 311
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2025-04-17T10:00:00
2025-04-17T11:00:00
Using Neural Networks to Accelerate Molecular Dynamics
Event Information:
When running molecular dynamics simulations, typically timesteps must be on the order of 2fs to preserve numerical stability. This sharply limits our ability to generate trajectories for processes such as protein folding that can take on the order of milliseconds. In this talk, we'll discuss training a neural net to predict the configuration of the protein many timesteps in the future (conditional on its current configuration) in order to save computation. Such a neural net cannot output a state deterministically but must sample from a probability distribution because molecular dynamics is stochastic. We'll examine two well-known machine learning methods for modelling a probability distribution over many dimensions: Generative Adversarial Nets and Denoising Diffusion Probabilistic Models. In addition, molecular dynamics is symmetric under rotations and translations, and so the talk will also explain how the idea of a representation from group theory is helpful for constructing neural nets that respect these symmetries. We try out these techniques on small molecules and short proteins in solution.
Event Location:
BRIM 311
Event Time:
Saturday, April 12, 2025 | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Event Location:
TRIUMF - Main Office Building Auditorium (4004 Wesbrook Mall Vancouver, BC / V6T 2A3)
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2025-04-12T10:00:00
2025-04-12T12:00:00
Saturday Morning Lectures
Event Information:
April 12 (TRIUMF)10:00 Sabrina Leslie (UBC): "New eyes on medicines and vaccines: seeing how they work one molecule at a time"11:10 Andrea Capra (TRIUMF): "Dropping anti-atoms at CERN"
Event Location:
TRIUMF - Main Office Building Auditorium (4004 Wesbrook Mall Vancouver, BC / V6T 2A3)
Event Time:
Thursday, April 10, 2025 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Event Location:
CEME 1203 (UBC campus)
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2025-04-10T10:00:00
2025-04-10T11:00:00
Small Systems, Smart Strategies: Energy Optimization through Stochastic Thermodynamics
Event Information:
This talk is part of the Structural Matter Seminar series.
Abstract:
Dr. Loos will explore the framework of stochastic thermodynamics to study the thermodynamic properties of microscale systems subject to thermal and non-thermal noise. She will discuss fundamental principles of control strategies that transition a system from one state to another in the most energy-efficient way. As a canonical example, she will explain the problem of dragging a harmonic trap containing a particle over a finite distance in a finite time while minimizing the work input, showcasing that the optimal dragging protocol and the corresponding mean particle trajectory both exhibit time-reversal symmetry, identified as a universal and exclusive feature of optimal solutions.
Bio:
Dr Sarah Loos | Corpus Christi College University of Cambridge
Event Location:
CEME 1203 (UBC campus)
Event Time:
Thursday, April 10, 2025 | 9:30 am - 2:30 pm
Event Location:
Earth Sciences Building, 1st Floor Lobby and Atrium
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2025-04-10T09:30:00
2025-04-10T14:30:00
2025 Science Education Open House
Event Information:
Welcome, faculty and instructors to the 2025 Science Education Open House:
Event Schedule
9:30am - Registration
Check in at registration desk, coffee and snacks available
10:00am - Morning Session, Part 1
Welcome and Schedule Overview
Remarks from Mark MacLachlan, Dean pro tem
Highlights from the Skylight Team
Keynote: Looking Back to Look Forward -by Karen Smith (Microbiology & Immunology)
11:15am - Break
Coffee and snacks available
11:30am - Morning Session, Part 2
Integrating Generative AI into Curricula: Motivation, Challenges, and Approaches – Dongwook Yoon (Computer Science)
The Development and Delivery of a Pre-term, Unassessed Laboratory Foundations Event (LFE) for Incoming First-year Students with Minimal Prior Laboratory Experience – Navreet Grewal, Anne Thomas & Anka Lekhi (Chemistry)
12:30pm - Lunch
Lunch and socializing with colleagues, food will remain available during the poster session
1:00pm - Poster (or “Show and Tell”) Session
Afternoon session showcasing teaching and learning projects from across the Faculty of Science
Event Location:
Earth Sciences Building, 1st Floor Lobby and Atrium
Event Time:
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 | 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Event Location:
AMS NEST Room 2314
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2025-04-09T18:00:00
2025-04-09T20:00:00
Medical Imaging Networking Night
Event Information:
Event hosted by the AMS Medical Imaging Club at UBC.
This event is designed to connect students with professionals in medical imaging through a round-robin networking format. Attendees will have the chance to engage in face-to-face discussions with radiologists, MD and MD/PhD candidates, radiology residents, imaging technologists (ultrasound, X-ray, CT, MRI), and UBC researchers in radiology.
Students interested in radiology, medical research, or imaging technology will gain valuable career insights, mentorship opportunities, and a deeper understanding of medical imaging professions. They will also have the opportunity to build meaningful connections that may extend beyond their undergraduate studies. Food will be provided, creating a relaxed and engaging networking environment.
Event Location:
AMS NEST Room 2314
Event Time:
Monday, April 7, 2025 | 4:00 pm - 5:00 am
Event Location:
HENN 318
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2025-04-07T16:00:00
2025-04-07T05:00:00
Gravitational Waves from the Stellar Graveyard
Event Information:
Abstract:
The LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA Collaboration has observed hundreds of gravitational-wave sources to date, including mergers between black holes, neutron stars, and mixed neutron star--black holes. These neutron stars and black holes connect many astrophysical puzzles, including the lives and deaths of stars, star cluster dynamics, cosmic chemical enrichment, and the expansion history of the Universe. I will describe some recent astrophysical lessons from gravitational-wave discoveries.
Bio:
Maya is an Assistant Professor at the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (CITA), University of Toronto. She is a gravitational-wave astrophysicist and member of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration. Previously, she was a NASA Einstein Postdoctoral Fellow at CIERA, Northwestern University, and before that, she was an NSF Graduate Research Fellow at the University of Chicago, where she completed her PhD under the supervision of Daniel Holz.
Maya's research includes gravitational-wave astronomy and cosmology, black holes, neutron stars, massive stars, transients, large-scale structure and astrostatistics.
Learn More:
About the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA Collaboration
About Gravitational waves
About Neutron stars
Resources:
See her University of Toronto faculty page here: U of T Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics | Maya Fishbach Directory All A-Z and her personal website here: Maya Fishbach
View her presentation: "Listening to Black Holes with Gravitational Waves": Fishbach_KICP20
Watch her videos:
Astrophysics and Cosmology with Black Hole Mergers
Black hole astrophysics with gravitational-wave catalogs - IPAM at UCLA
Physics of Compact Binary Coalescence (2022)
Event Location:
HENN 318
Event Time:
Friday, April 4, 2025 | 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Event Location:
HENN Room 202
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2025-04-04T16:00:00
2025-04-04T17:00:00
Observing galaxies in our nearby Universe: from ground to space, optical to radio
Event Information:
This talk is presented by the UBC Astronomy Club!
Abstract:
Galaxies are the building blocks of our universe. By studying the lifecycles of different components in galaxies, such as stars, gas and dust, we build yardsticks to probe the evolution of galaxies and the universe. As technology advances, we can now observe nearby galaxies with exquisite details, resolving individual star clusters and star forming units. We have also managed to cover all the observable frequencies and beyond. In this talk, Dr. Anan will show what we have learned about the nearby galaxies through ground-based and space-based observations.
Bio:
Dr. Anan Lu is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at UBC Department of Physics & Astronomy. Her research focuses on star formation efficiency near the centers of galaxies, including bulges and nuclear rings. She loves to study astrophysical phenomena and paint them as well.
Learn More:
About Dr. Anan Lu: https://ananlu.github.io/
About Galaxies: https://science.nasa.gov/universe/galaxies/
About star formation: https://science.nasa.gov/universe/stars/
Event Location:
HENN Room 202
Event Time:
Thursday, April 3, 2025 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Event Location:
BRIM 311
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2025-04-03T10:00:00
2025-04-03T11:00:00
Complexity in Josephson Matter
Event Information:
Hybrid superconductors-semiconductor heterostructures allow voltage control of carrier density in superconducting systems. We use these materials to investigate novel gate-controlled arrays of Josephson junctions in a variety of geometries, examining the interplay of quantum coherence, Coulomb interaction, and frustration. Using the example of the dice lattice, I will draw connections between protected quantum information and quantum phase transitions in two dimensions.
Event Location:
BRIM 311
Event Time:
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 | 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Event Location:
HENN 200
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2025-04-01T17:00:00
2025-04-01T18:00:00
Through Many Lenses: Diverse Perspectives on Education and Discovery
Event Information:
This STEAM Lecture series is hosted by the UBC Astronomy Club.
Abstract:
Dr. Poh Tan and Daniel Asel, RGD, make learning science fun for kids. Coming from opposite sides of the world, their unique perspectives - merged with Indigenous ways of knowing - seek to the make science education more engaging and accessible for all learners. In this talk, they explore the challenges of teaching kids about the universe, the role of art in making complex concepts approachable, and disrupting the barriers to inclusive education. Through their experiences, attendees will discover innovative ways to inspire curiosity, create meaning impact, and make learning both fun and accessible for every child.
Bios:
Dr. Poh Tan is an award-winning scientist, educator, entrepreneur, and mother. She earned her first PhD in Experimental Medicine from UBC in 2008, focusing on stem cell biology. Demonstrating an unwavering commitment to education and interdisciplinary research, Dr. Tan pursued a second PhD in Education at Simon Fraser University, successfully defending her thesis in February, 2024.
As the founder and CEO of STEMedge Academy Inc., Dr. Tan has advised prominent organizations, including BC Hydro's Power Smart for Schools program, on education outreach initiatives. Dr. Tan is a two-time TEDx speaker and her commitment to de-centering dominant ways of teaching science is demonstrated by her long-term volunteer work at Vancouver's Science World, a research associate at the Institute for Environmental Learning, research fellow at Vancouver Botanical Garden Association, and faculty at Emily Carr University of Art and Design.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions, Dr. Tan was honoured with the 2024 Outstanding Alumni Award from SFU, the Dean's medal for her thesis work, the Mantella Corporation BIPOC Entrepreneur Award and the Kris Magnusson Emerging Leaders Award that recognizes her leadership and a committment to transformative education.
Daniel Asel is a creative director, educational designer, and advocate for accessible learning. With over 16 years of experience in creative leadership, Daniel's work blends art, science, and storytelling to create engaging learning experiences for young audiences. As a proud member of Canada's Association of Registered Graphic Designers - a government-legislated design association founded on principles of accessible design - he brings a values-driven approach to every project. His work designing award-winning educational experiences for kids has been recognized by Parent Tested Parent Approved (R) and he is also a published academic author in the field of education reform for neurodivergent students.
As a creative director, Daniel has led major projects for purpose-led organizations including BC Hydro's Power Smart for Schools program, BC Transit's sustainability outreach strategy and the University of Toronto's neuroscience outreach program. He also spearheaded the Boston Red Sox STEAM education program as part of their educational outreach and contributed to the BOOK IT literacy program in the US, which promotes reading resources to over 14 million young readers annually. Daniel specializes in STEAM curriculum content design, interactive media, and brand strategy-developing thoughtful, inclusive and playful education content for schools, families, and global organizations.
As a neurodivergent individual himself, Daniel's mission is to make education truly accessible for all learners. His work centers on creating emotionally resonant experiences that spark curiosity, invite discovery, and foster a lifelong love of learning. He regularly consults on accessibility and inclusive design in education, with a focus on removing barriers and making learning joyful and meaningful for every student.
Event Location:
HENN 200
Event Time:
Monday, March 31, 2025 | 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Event Location:
HENN 318
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2025-03-31T16:00:00
2025-03-31T17:00:00
A Pan-STARRS Search for Distant Planets
Event Information:
Abstract:
I present a search for distant planets in Pan-STARRS1 data. This search has been calibrated by injecting an isotropic control population of synthetic detections into Pan-STARRS1 source catalogs, providing a high-fidelity approximation to injecting synthetic sources at the image level. The search method is sensitive to a wide range of distances, as well as all rates and directions of motion. The search discovered and recovered 692 solar system objects, including 642 TNOs, 23 of which are dwarf planets. By raw number of detections, this is the third most productive Kuiper Belt survey to date, in spite of the fact that distances closer than 80 au were not explicitly searched.
Although the search did not find Planet Nine or any other planetary objects, to date, it shows that the remaining parameter space for Planet Nine is highly concentrated in the galactic plane.
A catalog-based approach to characterizing searches will be increasingly important for surveys such as Rubin, Euclid, and Roman, for which injecting synthetic moving sources directly into the images will be even more challenging.
Bio:
Matthew Holman is an Astrophysicist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and a Lecturer in the Harvard University Department of Astronomy. Holman received an S.B. degree in Mathematics in 1989 and a Ph.D. in Planetary Sciences in 1994, both from MIT. After postdoctoral positions at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan and the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics, he joined the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in 1997 as a tenure-track civil servant and received tenure in 2001.
Holman is credited with the discovery of satellites of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
Holman, along with Jack Wisdom, developed an algorithm for the efficient and accurate numerical integration of the orbits in the solar system n-body problem. This is now the framework of nearly every solar system integration package available.
Holman, along with Norman Murray, received the 1999 Newcomb Cleveland Award, given annually by the American Association for the Advancement of Science for the outstanding refereed publication in Science.
Learn More:
Read his faculty wepage from the Center for Astrophysics at Harvard & Simthsonian here: Matthew Holman | Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian
Go through his personal webpage here: Matthew Holman's Home Page
Some of his discoveries:
"Discovery of Three Irregular Neptunian Moons": Text of Neptunian Press Release
"The Irregular Satellites of Saturn": THE SATURNIAN IRREGULARS HOME PAGE
"The Uranian Irregulars home page": THE URANIAN IRREGULARS HOME PAGE
View his wikipedia page: Matthew J. Holman - Wikipedia
About Planet 9: https://www.astronomy.com/science/does-planet-nine-exist/
About Pan-STARRS: https://www2.ifa.hawaii.edu/research/Pan-STARRS.shtml
View the Pan-STARR 1 public data page: https://outerspace.stsci.edu/display/PANSTARRS/
Event Location:
HENN 318
Event Time:
Saturday, March 29, 2025 | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Event Location:
SFU Surrey (13450 - 102nd Avenue Galleria 250 Surrey, BC / V3T 0A3)
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2025-03-29T10:00:00
2025-03-29T12:00:00
Saturday Morning Lectures
Event Information:
March 29 (SFU)10:00 Sabrina Leslie (UBC): "New eyes on medicines and vaccines: seeing how they work one molecule at a time"11:10 Annika Lennarz (TRIUMF): "Hunting for Ghosts - Searching for massive neutrinos with superconducting sensors"
Event Location:
SFU Surrey (13450 - 102nd Avenue Galleria 250 Surrey, BC / V3T 0A3)
Event Time:
Thursday, March 27, 2025 | 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Event Location:
HENN 201
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2025-03-27T16:00:00
2025-03-27T17:00:00
Tunneling through the Cell: Structure and Transport in Organelle Networks
Event Information:
Abstract:
Living cells organize their interior into systems of interacting membrane-bound organelles. In this talk we will explore two organelles that form extensive networked architectures spanning across the cell: mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). While functionally distinct, both of these organelles give rise to fundamental physical questions: How are network structures formed and maintained? How do the morphology and dynamics of these organelles allow them to facilitate transport throughout the cell? We will show that the peripheral ER can be approximated as a `liquid network' whose dynamic rearrangements are driven by tension and tubular growth. Mitochondria, by contrast, undergo fusion and fission to form morphologies ranging from highly fragmented `social' networks to highly branched tubular structures. Using dynamic network models, we explore the rate of material transport in different mitochondrial network structures and in the interconnected tubular mesh of the ER, highlighting the key physical features that govern the rate of dispersion and delivery. Along the way, we will see how emergent complex structures in living cells motivate new questions in network physics, and how a physical perspective on transport illuminates biological function.
Bio:
Elena Koslover is a professor of physics at the University of California, San Diego. She obtained her undergraduate degrees in biology and mathematics at the California Institute of Technology, an MPhil in chemistry from the University of Cambridge, and her PhD in biophysics at Stanford University, where she worked on modeling genome mechanics and intracellular fluid dynamics. Her research group uses theoretical and computational techniques, together with analysis of quantitative data provided by collaborating groups, to understand how the morphology and organization of cellular structures determine the spatiotemporal distribution of cell components and the kinetics of their interactions.
Learn More:
See Lena's faculty profile page here: Elena Koslover | UCSD Profiles
Read about the Koslover Group here: Koslover Group - UCSD
About organelles: Organelles - Definition, List, and Functions
About Genome mechanics: DNA Mechanics | Annual Reviews
About intracellular fluid dynamics: Physiology, Body Fluids - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf
Event Location:
HENN 201
Event Time:
Thursday, March 27, 2025 | 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Event Location:
HENN 200 (in the atrium outside of the classroom)
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2025-03-27T15:00:00
2025-03-27T16:00:00
PHAS Thursday Tea!
Event Information:
Event Information:
We welcome you to our weekly PHAS THURSDAY Tea!
Term 2 has delivered a new schedule for our friendly neighbourhood tea event: join us Thursdays from 3-4pm in the atrium outside of HENN 200. For those interested, we invite you to follow up with our weekly Department colloquia in HENN 201 from 4-5pm.
We welcome all students, staff and faculty to meet new-to-you colleagues, catch up with your physics community and to learn about current happenings in the PHAS Department.
Meet your hosts from the EDI Community Building Working Group:
Jess McIver
Adele Ruosi
Megan Bingham
Evan Goetz
Mona Berciu
Howard Li
Mandana Amiri
We look forward to meeting you!
Event Location:
HENN 200 (in the atrium outside of the classroom)