Professor James Drake co-wrote the cover article for the September/October 2009 issues of American Scientist Magazine. The article, written with James Burch, is on magnetic reconnection. The cover (front and back) is an artist's rendering of the sun. Burch is the PI of the NASA MMS mission, a $1billion, four-satellite constellation, that will study magnetic reconnection in the Earth's magnetosphere.View the issue here.

We have learned of the death of Johnny Laster, the son of former Physics chair Howie Laster and his wife Miriam.

http://www.legacy.com/NewsAdvance/Obituaries.asp?page=lifestory&personid=131848101

If you would like a mailing address for the Laster family, please contact Anne Suplee at .

Congratulations to Victor Galitski, who was awarded the National Science Foundation’s CAREER Award. Dr. Galitski’s proposal, entitled “Fluctuation Phenomena Near Quantum Phase Transitions,” was awarded based on scientific and technical merit. NSF funds research in science and engineering through grants, contracts and cooperative agreements.

For more information on NSF Awards visit: http://www.nsf.gov/about/

Professor Daniel Lathrop makes an appearance on the Discovery Channel’s documentary, “Inside Planet Earth.”  Lathrop was filmed and interviewed in his lab last year. The program will air on the network from 06/10 – 06/25. Visit the Discovery Channel Website for their weekly TV schedule.

Irving Korobkin passed away on May 30, 2009. He was the beloved husband of the late Sally R. Korobkin; devoted father of Alan, Vicki, Andy and Gail; loving brother of Leonard (Frieda) Korobkin; and brother-in-law of Pauline Witkin-Polansky; dear grandfather of Alex, Jonathan, Hava and Yossi.

Korobkin joined the department in January of 1990 as an instructor in the Physics Slawsky Clinic.

Memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation or Magen David Sephardic Congregation. Arrangement entrusted to EDWARD SAGEL FUNERAL DIRECTION, Rockville, MD.

Click here to view the obituary.