School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Rayborn Lecture Series
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In 2015, through a generous donation to the USM Foundation, Dr. and Mrs. Grayson H. Rayborn established the Grayson H. and Jane Dishong Rayborn Lecture Series in Physics and Astronomy. In 1970, Dr. Rayborn joined the USM faculty and served until his retirement in a distinguished career in teaching, research, service, and administration. During his career, Dr. Rayborn served as chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, associate dean of the College of Science and Technology, and director of the School of Mathematical Sciences, as well as professor of physics and astronomy. Upon retirement, in recognition of his distinguished service to the University, Dr. Rayborn was awarded the title of professor emeritus of physics and astronomy.
Past Keynote Speakers
2023 | Dr. Barry Barker
Dr. Barry Barker
Director of the Laboratory for Physical Sciences
National Security Agency
"Quantum Computing: Getting Used to the Weirdness"
Quantum computers are designed to operate using the laws of quantum mechanics, which govern physics at the molecular scale and smaller This approach has the potential to significantly increase computational power over the familiar computers of today, revolutionizing our ability to perform complex calculations and opening up unprecedented capabilities in computer simulation, mathematical computation, and artificial intelligence. Come learn about the future of quantum computing from one of today鈥檚 most successful leaders.
2022 | Dr. Sara Seager
Dr. Sara Seager
Astrophysicist And Professor Of Physics And Planetary Science,
The Massachusetts Institute Of Technology (MIT)
鈥淓xoplanets and the Search for Life Beyond Earth鈥�
Dr. Seager鈥檚 thought-provoking keynote presentation titled, 鈥淓xoplanets and the Search for Life Beyond Earth,鈥� will explain, in layman鈥檚 terms, the exciting field of exoplanet research and her quest for the holy grail to find and identify an Earth-type planet and signs of life on them. She will also share the latest advances in this revolutionary field.
2019 | Dr. Michelle Wang
Dr. Michelle Wang
Cornell University Professor, Howard Hughes
Memorial Institute Investigator and
University Of Southern Mississippi Alumna (鈥�88)
鈥淯NTANGLING MOLECULES OF LIFE鈥�
DNA replication intertwines daughter DNA molecules, and this poses topological challenges to chromosome segregation during cell division. The ability to manipulate single molecules with precision and control is beginning to shed light on how torsional mechanics may impact DNA intertwining. My talk will highlight the importance of physical principles in fundamental biological processes.
2018 | Dr. David Spergel
Dr. David Spergel
Charles A. Young Professor Of Astronomy
Department Of Astrophysical Sciences, Princeton University
Director, Center For Computational Astrophysics, Flatiron Institute
鈥淥UR SIMPLE AND STRANGE UNIVERSE鈥�
Our observations of the microwave background, the left-over heat from the big bang, have revealed a universe that is both remarkably simple and very strange. With only five basic numbers, we can completely describe all of the properties of the early universe and can predict the large-scale distribution of galaxies and matter. This simple model implies that atoms make up only 5% of the universe and that mysterious dark matter and dark energy dominate our universe. Dr. Spergel will describe the evidence for this now standard cosmological model and his efforts to work with NASA to build a mission dedicated to understanding the properties of dark energy.
2017 | Dr. William D. Phillips
Dr. William D. Phillips
Nobel Laureate in Physics Physicist,
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Leader of the NIST Laser Cooling and Trapping Group
Distinguished University Professor at the University of Maryland
鈥淭IME, EINSTEIN AND THE COOLEST STUFF IN THE UNIVERSE鈥�
Einstein changed the way we think about time. Now, the measurement of time is being revolutionized by the ability to cool a gas of atoms to temperatures billions of times lower than anything else in the universe. This lively, multimedia presentation will include experimental demonstrations and down-to-earth explanations about some of today鈥檚 most exciting science.
2016 | Dr. Sylvester James Gates
Dr. Sylvester James Gates
John S. Toll Professor of Physics
Director of the String and Particle Theory Center
University of Maryland, College Park
鈥淲ILL THE PRECISION HUNTERS BE THE FIRST TO SPOT SUSY'S FOOTPRINTS?鈥�
Now that the existence of one Higgs boson has been well-established experimentally, precision measurements of properties of other particles have the potential to spot the first evidence of 鈥渟upersymmetry鈥� (or 鈥淪USY鈥�) by finding signs of at least one other Higgs boson.