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Physicist uses award to study magnetic oxides
John Cerne, assistant professor in the Department of Physics in the College of Arts and Sciences, has received a $75,000 Cottrell Scholar Award from the Research Corporation to study the fundamental physics of materials that are revolutionizing the understanding of metals.
Cerne was one of just 11 young scientists in the U.S. chosen to receive a Cottrell Award, which recognizes research and teaching in astronomy, chemistry and physics.
He and his colleagues are using magneto-spectroscopy—the study of the interaction between light and matter in magnetic fields—to examine novel effects in magnetic oxides, which are related to high-temperature superconductors.
According to Cerne, a better understanding of the mechanisms behind their behavior may lead to electronic and optical materials with new capabilities, such as faster and higher density memory in computers, as well as new functions, such as devices with both superconducting and magnetic properties.
Cerne's work focuses on the infrared region of the spectrum.
"It turns out that if you go to longer wavelengths, around 10 to 20 times the wavelength of visible light, you can gain critical new insight in these materials," he said.
The Research Corporation of Tucson, Ariz., is a private foundation that aids basic research in the physical sciences at U.S. and Canadian colleges and universities.
CTLR to hold teaching workshop
A workshop to help faculty members improve their classroom "performance" will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 10 in the Center for Tomorrow, North Campus.
The workshop, entitled "Teaching and Performing: Interactive Theatre in the Classroom," is being presented as part of the Center for Teaching and Learning Resources' Excellence in Teaching Series, supported by a $25,000 gift from J. Ronald Gentile, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus in the Graduate School of Education, and his wife, Kay Johnson-Gentile, a retired Buffalo State College professor.
The workshop will be given by Suzanne Burgoyne, professor of theater at the University of Missouri, Columbia. A lunch reception will precede the presentation.
The workshop is designed to raise faculty members' awareness of the usefulness of acting techniques in enhancing their classroom "performance;" provide an experiential learning experience to promote faculty reflection on their classroom "performance;" demonstrate techniques for enhancing presentation, communication and student engagement skills, and introduce faculty members to interactive theater techniques that can be adapted to provide experiential learning activities in their classes.
Co-author of "Teaching and Performing: Ideas for Energizing Your Classes," Burgoyne is a 2000-01 Carnegie Scholar and the Association for
Theatre in Higher Education's 2003 Outstanding Teacher.
To register for the workshop, visit the CTLR Web site at http://www.buffalo.edu/ctlr, or contact Lisa Francescone at 645-7328, or lcf@buffalo.edu.
McKay to perform in CFA
Singer/songwriter prodigy Nellie McKay will perform at 8 p.m. Sept. 10 in the Drama Theatre in the Center for the Arts, North Campus.
McKAY
A multi-talented "youngster" of 19, McKay already is a seasoned performer/singer/songwriter/raconteur who peppers her live shows with acerbic and witty banter in between self-penned songs—and a well-placed standard or two—from her ever-growing repertoire.
Born in London and raised in Harlem, McKay (pronounced mi-KAI) lists among her influences Doris Day, Blossom Dearie, Cole Porter, John Lennon, Marlene Dietrich, Bob Dylan, '60s girl groups like the Shirelles and the Chiffons, and "a bit of Eminem, but more of the Mamas and the Papas."
Her debut CD, "Get Away From Me," (whose title is a wry reference to Norah Jones' work) includes jazz, rap, blues, Latin, rock and more.
Tickets to McKay's CFA performance are $18 and are available at the CFA box office from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and at all Ticketmaster locations.
For more information call 645-ARTS.