Letter from the Chair: 2024
Dear Alumni, Friends, and Supporters of Cal Poly Physics,
Greetings from San Luis Obispo! I hope this letter finds you well and thriving. At the end of another academic year, I am delighted to share some exciting updates and achievements from our department over the past year. As always, your continued support and engagement have been instrumental in our journey, and we are excited to keep you informed about the progress we are making.
New Tenure-Track Faculty Hires
We are delighted to announce the hiring of four new tenure-track faculty members, Hyewon Pechkis, Joe Pechkis, Ben Shlaer, and Lizvette Villafaña, who will be joining our department in fall 2024. These outstanding individuals bring a wealth of expertise and innovative research interests that will significantly enhance our department’s academic and research capabilities. Their addition to our faculty underscores our commitment to providing our students with a robust and diverse educational experience, including excellent Learn by Doing research opportunities. We look forward to the fresh perspectives and new energy they will bring to our community.
Here's some info about their backgrounds:
Lizvette Villafaña, Assistant Professor of Physics
Dr. Villafaña just completed her Ph.D. in astronomy/astrophysics at UCLA, measuring the masses of supermassive black holes in active galactic nuclei. She also earned a master’s degree in aerospace engineering from USC, where she worked on CubeSat guidance, navigation and control. She will bring a spectrum of experience to our department and provide exciting research opportunities for students interested in astronomy/astrophysics.
Ben Shlaer, Assistant Professor of Physics
Dr. Shlaer received his Ph.D. in physics from Cornell University in 2006. He is well known in our department as he joins the tenure-track from his current position as a full-time lecturer. Dr. Shlaer’s research is in early universe cosmology and he has recently taught our upper division quantum mechanics classes, PHYS 405/406. His research is popular with students, and we are excited to have him on our tenure-track faculty.
Hyewon Pechkis and Joseph Pechkis, Associate Professors of Physics
Drs. H. and J. Pechkis both earned their Ph.D.s in experimental atomic, molecular, and optical physics, in particular cold atom trapping, from the University of Connecticut in 2010. They join us from their current positions as associate professors at CSU Chico, where they also collaborate on curriculum to bring the concepts of quantum mechanics to a general audience through the physics of music. They are eager to build a vibrant experimental program with our students on their team!
Hosting the 2025 Conference for Undergraduate Women and Gender Minorities in Physics
Another highlight of this year is that Cal Poly has been selected to host the 2025 American Physical Society Conference for Undergraduate Women and Gender Minorities in Physics (CU*iP). This prestigious event is scheduled for January 24-26, 2025. CU*iP aims to support and encourage undergraduate women and gender minorities in physics by providing them with the opportunity to network, present their research, and gain insights from professionals in the field. Hosting this conference underscores our commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within the physics community. We could not have done it without you. An important strength of our application was the financial support we are able to provide to participants thanks to the generous donations of our esteemed alumni and friends. We look forward to welcoming participants from across the region and showcasing Cal Poly's vibrant campus.
PHYS 100: Fostering a Sense of Belonging
In line with our efforts to enhance student experience and retention, I am pleased to report on the success of PHYS 100, a new course designed to help first-year physics students transition into university life and the physics community. The course covers a range of topics including academic skills, research opportunities, and career planning. More importantly, it emphasizes building a strong sense of belonging among our students. Early feedback indicates that PHYS 100 has had a profound positive impact, helping students feel more connected and supported during their critical first year. This initiative is a testament to our dedication to student success and well-being.
2023-2024 Distinguished Teaching Award
I am excited to announce that our own Professor Kat Gillen has been selected as one of the recipients of this year’s Distinguished Teaching Award. This is only the third time a physics faculty member has been so honored in the past 34 years (Ron Brown in 1994-95 and Matt Moelter in 2003-04).
From the official description of the award: "The Distinguished Teaching Award (DTA) was established to recognize faculty members who demonstrate excellence in teaching at Cal Poly. Only students and alumni, those who have been influenced most by faculty, are eligible to submit nominations. Then, a committee of faculty members evaluate nominees based on written documentation and in-class visitations. Awardees are announced at the end of the academic year and are honored by the university at several important end-of-the-year events."
We extend our hearty congratulations to Prof. Gillen for this tremendous recognition of her dedication to the craft of teaching and her commitment to student success.
Closing Thoughts
It has been a rewarding journey to navigate the department through these dynamic times, always with an eye on our long-term goals and aspirations. The achievements of this past year are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff, and students, as well as the unwavering support of our alumni and friends.
Please stay in touch and consider visiting us if you're ever in the area. We would love to share more about our exciting developments and explore ways you can be involved. Thank you for being an integral part of the Cal Poly Physics community.
Warmest regards,
Jennifer Klay
Professor and Chair
Cal Poly Physics Department
