Autumnal Equinox Lecture: Focus on physical science careers

The Autumnal Equinox Lecture of the CMU Department of Physics is back for 2024, with an event highlighting the myriad of career opportunities in the physical sciences.

It will begin with a presentation by Dr. Zach Meisel exploring the connections between careers in academia and industry. Dr. Meisel is an Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering Physics at the Air Force Institute of Technology. He is a researcher in the field of nuclear astrophysics, recognized for his contributions to understanding the connection between nuclear reactions and the observed behavior of neutron stars in our galaxy. Throughout his career he has also worked on applied topics in both industry and academia. The lecture will take place in Park Library's auditorium at 3:00 p.m.

Following the lecture, join us for a reception featuring a poster presentation of summer research projects of CMU students and the award of the 2024 scholarships of the Department of Physics. The reception will take place in the Maroon and Gold rooms of Bovee University Center at 4:00 p.m.

Dr. Zach Meisel's presentation: "There and Back Again: My physics experience inside and outside (and back inside) academia"

Physics is the Swiss Army knife of STEM degrees, opening the door to a wide array of interesting careers. However, discussions around possible career paths generally juxtapose "Academia" and "Industry" as the two separate and well-defined camps that one has to choose from. In this presentation I will describe my experience in academia as a faculty member at a state university, excursion as a data scientist in industry, and return to academia at a military university. I will highlight unexpected connections between phases of my career and discuss common myths regarding industry versus academia and "industry" as a monolith.

Park's Library Opperman Auditorium (3 p.m.) and Bovee University Center Maroon and Gold rooms (4 p.m.).