Making an Impact at the USP Relativity Symposium

On Saturday morning, March 4, University Scholars and guests gathered for the annual USP spring symposium on “Relativity.”  The first panel featured presentations by four University Scholars, pictured above:  Tamra Nebabu (double major in physics and electrical engineering, Class of 2017), Eleanor Caves (PhD program in biology), Chelsea Southworth (Class of 2019, studying evolutionary anthropology), and Monica Arniella (Class of 2018, studying biology, computer science, and German).  Tamra demonstrated the effects of polarizers on lightwaves to show how they are in a “superposition” relative to their anticipated orientation.  Eleanor discussed how vision is relative depending on species.  Chelsea presented the relativity of what it means to be human as compared to other animals.  Monica introduced magnetoreception as a species-specific tool for navigation relative to the geomagnetic field.  The four women collaborated on building their panel, highlighting the University Scholars Program’s emphasis on intergenerational relationships or vertical integration, with undergraduates exchanging ideas with graduate and professional school students.  The panel was capped by a fabulous keynote talk by Sheila Patek, professor of biology, who conducts basic science research at the intersection of biology, physics, and engineering.  Professor Patek underscored the importance of pursuing research questions that constantly drive one’s curiosity to know more and push further and to understand and articulate how that research makes an impact.