Representatives from the National Science Foundation Mathematical and Physical Sciences (NSF MPS) Directorate came to Northwestern April 21st in a site visit organized by Northwestern’s Office for Research. The directorate is visiting a select number of institutions in 2016 to better understand the scientific opportunities, research landscape, and workforces they impact.
Graduate students Zach Hafen, Carl Rodriguez, and Niharika Sravan were among the 18 students invited to present posters in the Silverman Hall atrium as part of the visit. In addition to talking about their research, they were asked to articulate a narrative that captured its broader impacts: not only scientific opportunities, but potential future career and societal opportunities related to their work.
Physics and Astronomy faculty were also well represented, with presentations by CIERA’s Vicky Kalogera and Yoram Lithwick as well as Enectali Figueroa-Feliciano, Jens Koch, and Adilson Motter. Hosted by VP for Research Jay Walsh, the directorate representatives were NSF MPS Assistant Director Fleming Crim, Deputy Director Deborah Lockhart, and Senior Advisor Clark Cooper.