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~ APRIL 17, 2026 ~ |
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IMPORTANT DEPARTMENT EVENTSUpcoming PhD Thesis DefensesYou are cordially invited to attend the following thesis defenses.
Best of luck to Abijith, Yunchao, Ethan, Jasmine, and Magdelena!!! LATEST MIT PHYSICS NEWS
UPCOMING COLLOQUIA & SEMINARSChez Pierre SeminarsMonday, April 27, 2026 at 10:00am ET in Duboc Room (4-331) SPECIAL SEMINAR Nuclear and Particle Theory SeminarMonday, April 27, 2026 Nuclear and Particle Physics ColloquiumMonday, April 27, 2026 at 4:00pm ET - Kolker Room (26-414) or Zoom LNS Lunchtime SeminarTuesday, April 28, 2026 at 12:00pm ET - Kolker Room (26-414) or Zoom Joint MIT/Tufts Cosmology SeminarTuesday, April 28, 2026 at 2:30pm ET at MIT Astrophysics ColloquiumTuesday, April 28, 2026 at 4:00pm ET at Marlar Lounge (37-252) and Zoom MIT-Harvard CUA SeminarTuesday, April 28, 2026 at 4:00pm ET - Harvard Ory Forum (301 A/B) Biophysics SeminarWednesday, April 29, 2026 at 10:45am ET - Duboc Room (4-331) String/Gravity Theory SeminarWednesday, April 29, 2026 at 3:45pm ET - Cosman Room (6C-442) MIT-CQE iQuISE SeminarThursday, April 30, 2026 at 12:00pm ET - CUA Room (26-214) Physics ColloquiumThursday, April 30, 2026 at 4:00pm ET - 10-250 Refreshments at 3:30pm in 4-349 (Pappalardo Community Room)* IAIFI Public ColloquiumFriday, May 8, 2026 at 2:00pm ET - Kolker Room (26-414) PSFC SeminarFriday, May 1, 2026 at 2:00pm ET - Hybrid - NW17-218 Monday, May 4, 2026 at 2:00pm ET - Hybrid - NW17-218 UPCOMING EVENTSWarehouse Talent BrunchWho: All Students Warehouse is hosting its annual Talent Brunch, where students can showcase musical performances, standup, and other performances with free brunch from Cafe Luna and Bakey! Vegan and Gluten Free options available! Open to all MIT affiliates. Panel Discussion– How AI is Changing Student Learning: Perspectives from MIT StudentsWho: All Students Panel Discussion– How AI is Changing Student Learning: Perspectives from MIT Students Moderated by Dr. Lourdes Alemán, in collaboration with MIT Radius Description: As AI transforms our teaching and learning, it is important to recognize that students' experiences and attitudes towards AI are not homogeneous. In this panel of MIT students, we will discuss how they use AI tools, the impact of these tools on their learning, and the ethical frameworks and concerns that they bring to their work. This conversation will allow educators to understand students' perspectives on the motivations, challenges, and expectations shaping AI use today as they navigate these tools in real time. Student Panel:
All are welcome! Register on Zoom SWAP: Adult Clothing ExchangeWho: All Students Refresh your spring wardrobe with an adult clothing SWAP! Bring in gently used clothing for adults. No need to bring clothes to participate, but please bring bags to take home your new finds. Leftover items will be donated to a local non-profit organization. Registration recommended. Early donations will be accepted Tuesday, April 21 through Monday, April 27 in the MIT Welcome Center at 292 Main Street. Please note that the MIT Welcome Center is open Monday - Friday, 9:00am-4:00pm; it is not open on the weekends. This event is presented in collaboration with MIT's Office of Sustainability, Choose to Reuse, and MIT Facilities. Midday Music and Bike Tune UpsWho: All Students Join us for free bike tune ups by Casa Bikes alongside smooth, “jazz-kissed” live music from Chris Walton. Music curated by Passim. Free safety checks with a bicycle technician will take place on a first come, first served basis, regardless of advance registration. This is a popular event - we recommend arriving early to get a spot in line! Registration is recommended - you’ll be the first to learn of event details or if the location or date changes due to inclement weather. This event is presented in collaboration with the MIT Office of Sustainability, MIT Office of Campus Planning, MIT Police, and MIT Parking and Transportation. Can't make it on 4/29? Come back on 5/6! MIT HEALS Undergraduate Clinical Research Opportunities Info SessionWho: All Students The MIT HEALS Clinician-Scientist undergraduate research opportunity is a year-long immersive research program connecting MIT undergraduates with leading clinical institutions to tackle real-world health challenges. Join us for an info session to learn more. We are currently recruiting research collaborations to which students can apply. A few highlights of the program:
When: Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 2pm - 3pm Ask the Provost Student Forums with Anantha ChandrakasanWho: All Students Provost Chandrakasan is holding a student forum on April 30th titled “Ask the Provost” to give both graduate and undergraduate students an opportunity to meet him, learn about his role and ask questions or share ideas. Undergraduate session: 9:30-10:30am Graduate Session: 11:00-12:00pm Snack & Chat with CAPD: Summer advice for first-years and sophomoresWho: All Students Not sure how to prepare for your summer, or how to get more out of the experience you already have planned? Stop by for a casual drop‑in conversation with a CAPD advisor to talk about how to make your summer meaningful, no matter what you’re doing. This is a small, low‑pressure space to talk about upcoming internships, summer jobs, volunteering, research, or career exploration. You can get tips on preparing for an internship, building skills, networking in approachable ways, asking for feedback, and setting goals so your summer experience supports your growth and future plans. Come with a specific question or just curiosity. No prep needed! Register Fireside Chat with Astronaut Chris Birch MIT PhD ’15Who: All Students Fireside Chat with Astronaut Chris Birch MIT PhD ’15 Escape Velocity - How Technical Leadership Skills Launched Chris Birch to New Heights Astronaut. Professor. Champion Cyclist. Engineering Leader. Achieving lofty goals is in Chris Birch’s DNA. She conducted original research in synthetic biology, microfluidics, and infectious disease while earning a PhD in biological engineering at MIT. She then taught at the University of California and Caltech before joining the U.S. Cycling National Team, where she won 11 National Championships and three World Cup medals. Now she is a NASA astronaut working to reach her highest goal – flying to the International Space Station and beyond. Join us for a Fireside Chat with NASA Astronaut Chris Birch. Hear about her remarkable achievements and the leadership principles that have guided her journey. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1986801800669 Chris Birch Bio: https://www.nasa.gov/people/nasa-astronaut-christina-birch/ Open to all in the MIT community. Hosted by Technical Leadership and Communication Programs - Distinguished Speaker Series. Merck Info SessionWho: All Students Be part of work that matters. Merck & Co. is at the forefront of developing medicines and vaccines that address some of the world’s most challenging health issues. Attend this info session to explore full-time opportunities, internships, and the Manufacturing Leadership Development Program (MLDP), where you’ll gain hands-on experience and leadership training in manufacturing while contributing to life-saving innovations. Free lunch! GSC’s Grad GalaWho: Graduate Students GSC’s Grad Gala is back! Get ready to dance the night away at Urban Wild from 7 PM – midnight on Saturday May 2, 2026. Tickets are $60 per person and are currently being sold on Engage (https://cglink.me/2cy/r917353). Each ticket includes admission to the Alice in Wonderland-themed black-tie gala. Enjoy the buffet dinner, private venue buyout with outdoor patio, dancing + live DJ, bowling, and more. This gala is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our graduate students and make unforgettable memories. Please note that this event is only open to MIT graduate students and their guests who are at least 21 years old. To enhance the experience, we highly recommend that you come dressed in formal attire. More details about the event can be found here: https://gsc.mit.edu/about/committees/ac/grad-gala-2026/ You're Not Listening: Workshop & Lunch!Who: All Students CUA Symposium on 20 years of Feshbach Resonances in Ultracold Atomic Gases Most of us think we’re good listeners—this is your chance to train that muscle for real. Through a series of short, high-energy exercises, you’ll see what you actually hear (vs. what you think you hear) and practice a more effective, evidence-based way of listening. Come if you want less miscommunication, more enjoyable conversations, and a low-stakes space to try something new. Lunch included -- in person only! RSVP: https://forms.gle/EXp2C96f2dagKLvF7 CUA Symposium on 20 years of Feshbach Resonances in Ultracold Atomic GasesWho: All Students CUA Symposium on 20 years of Feshbach Resonances in Ultracold Atomic Gases Please join us for an afternoon of talks reminiscing the history of Feshbach resonances, and showcasing the profound impact Feshbach resonances have on all major subfields of ultracold atom science. Event Schedule: 2:00 History of Feshbach resonances — 3:30 – 4pm Coffee break 4:00 Kan-Kuen Ni (Harvard) Feshbach resonances and molecules 5:00 Reception SubMIT Users MeetingWho: All Students Open to all members of the Physics department (graduate and undergraduate students included). Come to learn about the Physics computing cluster, how to use it, etc. Refreshments will be provided! Agenda & Zoom: https://indico.mit.edu/event/2102/ Author Talk: Conjuring the VoidWho: All Students Author Talk: Conjuring the Void Inescapable and mysterious, black holes have long captured the imagination of visual artists, even before their existence was first confirmed in 1971. In Conjuring the Void, Gamwell explores this fascinating intersection of art and science Join us for an engaging evening with author Lynn Gamwell as she discusses her new book Conjuring the Void: The Art of Black Holes. Gamwell will be in conversation with Dominic Chang, Postdoctoral Fellow at the Center for Astrophysics, Harvard & Smithsonian. Starting with a chronological description of key developments in the science of black holes, Gamwell builds a foundation for the reader through visualizations of black holes created by scientists, depicting how a black hole's extreme gravity affects visible objects in its vicinity. From there, the book explores how artists have addressed the challenge of visualizing black holes by developing new methods of working with diverse materials, including a black paint that absorbs 99.96% of visible light. Copies of Conjuring the Void will be available for purchase and signing after the talk, courtesy of the MIT Press Bookstore. Presented in collaboration with the MIT Press. $5 We have a limited number of free tickets available for full-time students with ID. Please reach out to museumregadmin@mit.edu. Register FELLOWSHIPS OPPORTUNITIES2026-27 Teaching Development FellowshipWho: Graduate Students 2026-27 Teaching Development Fellowship The MIT Teaching + Learning Lab will hold an information session on Zoom for the 2026-27 Teaching Development Fellowship Network (TDFN). Applications are open from now through May 3. The Teaching Development Fellows Network (TDFN) is a professional development and leadership opportunity for graduate students who are interested in improving their teaching while promoting pedagogical development and discussion among their peers. Fellows organize and direct department-based events. They also develop resources aimed at developing TA's teaching skills in their home department with support from TLL and an interdisciplinary network of fellows. The program is an opportunity to improve your teaching practice, demonstrate your commitment to teaching, and help elevate the quality of teaching in your department. Applicants must be graduate students in good academic standing with at least one semester of teaching or TA experience. Priority will be given to applicants who demonstrate a commitment to developing a community of evidence-based and reflective teaching in their departments, have additional teaching experience, and/or have already completed the Kaufman Teaching Certificate Program (KTCP), Grad Teaching Development Tracks, or equivalent training.* Selected applicants who have not previously completed KTCP or a similar program will receive additional training during summer 2026 before beginning the program. OTHER OPPORTUNITIESAstroCamp Summer Job OpportunityWho: All Students Looking for a summer job? Want to get paid to do stuff you like to do? How about spending a couple months in Southern California, in the mountains? Join us at AstroCamp as a Summer Instructor, where you'll blend work and play while teaching, laughing, and creating unforgettable memories with enthusiastic young minds. Discover the joy of turning your hobbies into classes for campers aged 8-17. Immerse yourself in the thrill of guiding them through a wide array of activities, and watch as your interests come to life in a dynamic learning environment. As an AstroCamp Summer Instructor, you'll not only have a blast but also gain valuable work experience that lasts a lifetime. Elevate your summer with the perfect blend of fun, education, and adventure. Embrace the opportunity to inspire and be inspired by the incredible journey that awaits you at AstroCamp! Our focus as instructors is leading engaging classes rather than direct camper care. Take a peek at some examples of the exciting classes we offer: • Zipline and other High Ropes* • Mountain Biking • Pottery • Photography • Blacksmithing • Rock Climbing • 3D Printing • Dungeons & Dragons • Astronomy • LARP • Wilderness Survival • And many more Apply or send your resume to our Program Director, Josh Jasper: josh@astrocamp.org Come be a part of an AstroCamp Summer, it could change your life! Registration and abstract submissions are now open for the Sustainable High Energy Physics (HEP) Conference 2026Who: All Students Registration and abstract submissions are now open for the Sustainable High Energy Physics (HEP) Conference 2026! When: 08 July - 10 July 2026 Join us for four days of talks, panels, and discussions on the intersection of high-energy physics and sustainability. We'll explore topics like energy efficiency, material use, social issues, and emerging technologies. Sessions will be scheduled to accommodate different time zones across Europe, Africa, Asia/Oceania, and the Americas. The program consists of plenary talks from distinguished speakers, discussion with expert panelists and submitted talks. Read the list of our invited speakers and panelists. We invite everyone - whether you have years of sustainability experience or just an interest in the topic - to attend and submit abstracts. |
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