CASPER Welcomes Renowned Speakers As Part of Its Fall 2012 Seminar Series at Baylor University

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WACO, Texas (Sept. 26, 2012) - The Center for Astrophysics, Space Physics, and Engineering Research (CASPER) has announced the guest speakers featured in the Fall 2012 Seminar Series. Lectures will be given at 1:30 p.m. in the Baylor Sciences Building, Room E.231, unless otherwise noted.
"The CASPER Seminar series brings outstanding researchers from all over the world to Baylor," said Truell Hyde, Ph.D., vice provost and the director of CASPER. "This semester alone, we have faculty from the University of Alabama at Huntsville, the University of California at San Diego, MIT and Hampton University providing seminars over a range of topics. This will provide Baylor students the wonderful opportunity to both learn about cutting edge research and meet the people involved."
The schedule of guest lecturers is as follows:
Sept. 28, 2012: Babak Shotorban, Ph.D.
Shotorban is a professor in the mechanical and aerospace engineering department of the University of Alabama in Huntsville. His seminar is entitled "Stochastic Modeling in Dusty Plasmas and Dusty Turbulent Flows" and will discuss the stochastic modeling of the charge fluctuations of a dust particle within a plasma, and the stochastic modeling of the dynamics of a dust particle influenced by turbulent fluctuations of its carrying flow.
Oct. 12, 2012: Daniel Dubin, Ph.D.
As a professor in the department of physics at the University of California San Diego, Dubin researches theoretical plasma physics, with an emphasis on nonneutral plasmas. He employs techniques drawn from a range of disciplines including plasma physics, statistical mechanics, nonlinear dynamics, computer simulation and quantum mechanics.
Oct. 25, 2012: Ian Hutchinson, Ph.D.
Note: This seminar will be given at 3 p.m.
Hutchinson, a professor of nuclear science and engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), researches fusion energy and plasma physics, especially the magnetic confinement of plasmas (ionized gases). He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and of the Institute of Physics. Hutchinson served as Head of the MIT Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering from 2003 to 2009. In addition to authoring definitive texts such as Principles of Plasma Diagnostics and Monopolizing Knowledge, he is an authority on nuclear energy and the intersection of faith and science.
Oct. 26, 2012: Robin Felder, Ph.D.
In addition to his work as a professor at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, Felder is associate director of clinical chemistry and toxicology. His research interests include pathogenesis of essential hypertension and salt sensitivity.
Nov. 9, 2012: Kunio Sayanagi, Ph.D.
Sayanagi is a professor in the department of atmospheric and planetary sciences at Hampton University in Virginia. As a planetary scientist, he specializes in atmospheric jetstreams of Jupiter and Saturn.
Nov. 16, 2012: Robert W. Schunk, Ph.D.
Schunk, physics professor and director of the Center for Atmospheric and Space Sciences at Utah State University, is an expert in the areas of plasma physics, fluid mechanics, aeronomy, space physics, electricity and magnetism, and data analysis. He has authored or co-authored more than 350 scientific papers pertaining to his work and has been supported by numerous NASA, NSF, Air Force and Navy grants.
by Brent Salter, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805
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Baylor University is a private Christian university and a nationally ranked research institution, characterized as having "high research activity" by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The university provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 15,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating university in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 11 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.