Recent Program Features

Halyna graduated in 2008 from the Physics and Astronomy department with her Masters in Physics. She came to Minnesota State University following the recommendations of her friends and colleagues, knowing she wanted to do physics because she had "always been interested in how things work." While here, she really enjoyed her interactions with other graduate students, staff, and faculty members and says the "staff and faculty were especially helpful in helping me feel like home." Throughout her time at Minnesota State University she shared the TA office with many graduate students and our interactions are very cherished by me. In particular, she thanks "Dr. Igor (Kogoutiouk) for his immense help and advice with every aspect of life," and adding that "without him I would not be where I am today."

Speaking to the preparation for her career beyond Minnesota State University, "as a TA for the labs and I found them very well written and thought through. The courses taken at Minnesoat State University, Mankato prepared me very well for the qualifying exam at ISU." Specifically, she cites her advisor Dr. Youwen Xu's supervision in setting her on her path in condensed matter physics. She is "grateful, since through the research with her I realized that that is what I like to do. I am especially grateful to her for being very strict and believing in me."

After Halyna graduated, she then attended Iowa State and earned her PhD in physics. Now, Halyna is an assistant professor in the Physics and Astronomy Department at Texas Tech University.

Raka graduated in 2019 with an MS in Physics, completing a thesis under the supervision of Dr. Dall'Asen. Upon graduation, she moved to Stockholm University where she begin a PhD program in physics studying the properties of dust grains like fullerenes and PAHs which are found in abundance in the universe and essentail for understanding a number of fundamental open questions in astrophysics.

She describes her research at Stockholm as focused on: "...understanding the interaction process and charge transfer mechanism between oppositely charged molecules, at the DESIREE cryogenic facility at Stockholm University’s physics department."

Of her time at Minnesota State University, Raka says "Minnesota State University has been a great catalyst and big leap forward toward achieving my current position. The faculty at Physics department, especially Dr. Brown, Dr. Xu and Dr. Dall’Asén have been the guiding and shaping factors, both in their teaching and mentoring skills. In the span of my masters’ studies, interaction with the faculty, my peer and the general work environment of a TA at the department have all made me a better physicist than when I started."

Happy New Year, Mavericks!

We are glad you are back and are ready to start the Spring Semester. Below are a few important reminders:

Spring Semester classes begin on Monday, Jan. 11, and all academic buildings, the dining center and residence halls will be open. Classes will be offered this semester through online, remote, FlexSync and in-person delivery.

Please note that FlexSync in-person components will start the semester delivered remotely.  I have asked faculty to reach out to you with more details explaining how to attend your first class session. If you have not yet heard from a faculty member, please do not hesitate to send a message to them before your class is scheduled to start.

As you plan your return to campus or the Mankato area, please keep the health and well-being of yourself and those around you in mind:

• Observe a 10-day “lay low” period with reduced in-person contact.
• Get tested before returning, or in the week following your return. There are several locations in the Mankato area for testing listed on our website.
• Consider downloading the Minnesota Department of Health’s free COVIDawareMN app, which will notify you if you’ve been near someone who tested positive for COVID-19 and anonymously notify anyone you’ve been near if you test positive.

Of course, the pandemic situation remains fluid and changes can be expected over the next several weeks. Please know that we will keep you posted as guidelines issued by the local public health officials evolve.

Again—welcome back! I hope you are looking forward to a great Spring Semester.

Sincerely,

Richard Davenport
President

Dear Faculty and Staff:

Despite the national events I wrote to you about earlier today and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, I hope that you were able to enjoy a break over the holidays and that you are feeling refreshed and ready for the start of the Spring Semester. Happy New Year; we are glad that you are back!

Spring Semester classes begin on Monday, Jan. 11, and all academic buildings, the dining center and residence halls will be open. Classes will be offered this semester through online, remote, FlexSync and in-person delivery.

Please note that FlexSync in-person components will start the semester delivered remotely. Faculty, if you have not already reached out to your students to explain how to attend the first day of your class, please do so as soon as possible.

The campus continues to be highly de-densified while many services resume this week as students return for classes. If you have questions about your work location or schedule, please consult with your supervisor. And, as more students, faculty and staff begin to return to campus, please keep the health and well-being of yourself and those around you in mind:

• Observe a 10-day “lay low” period with reduced in-person contact.
• We encourage you to get tested before returning, or in the week following. There are several locations in the Mankato area for testing listed on our website.
• Consider downloading the Minnesota Department of Health’s free COVIDawareMN app, which will notify you if you’ve been near someone who tested positive for COVID-19 and anonymously notify anyone you’ve been near if you test positive.

Of course, the pandemic situation remains fluid and changes can be expected over the next several weeks. Please know that we will keep you posted as guidelines issued by public health officials evolve.

Again—welcome back! I hope you are looking forward to a great Spring Semester.

Sincerely,

Richard Davenport
President