The USPAS is a partnership of nine U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories, two National Science Foundation-supported universities, and one office of the Department of Homeland Security dedicated to providing rigorous academic courses in accelerator science and engineering at sessions held twice a year.
Gerig has served on the USPAS board since 2003. He replaces Derek Lowenstein of Brookhaven National Laboratory, who decided to step down from the chairmanship after serving two three-year terms.
Like Lowenstein, Gerig brings a strong perspective of accelerator operations and R&D at a national user facility to the board. He was a motivating force behind the establishment in 2008 of the Lee Teng Internships, a three-way partnership of Argonne-Fermilab and USPAS, which brings 10 talented undergraduates annually to Argonne and Fermilab for a summer of research in accelerator science or technology. Before starting their summer research, the students take the USPAS undergraduate course, "Fundamentals of Accelerator Physics and Technology with Simulations and Measurements Lab."
According to William Barletta, USPAS director, "Rod brings to the board chairmanship a clear vision of the need for education and training in accelerator science and technology, not only for national lab employees, but also for graduate and undergraduate students. They are the future of our field. I look forward to working with Rod to advance the cause of accelerator education in America. I also thank Derek Lowenstein for his strong support and wise counsel. I am pleased that he will remain on the board as the Brookhaven representative."
The next USPAS session is sponsored by Michigan State University and will be held June 18-29 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. One undergraduate-level and 10 graduate-level courses will be offered. For full course outlines and an electronic application form, visit http://uspas.fnal.gov.
The Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory is one of five national synchrotron radiation light sources supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science to carry out applied and basic research to understand, predict, and ultimately control matter and energy at the electronic, atomic, and molecular levels, provide the foundations for new energy technologies, and support DOE missions in energy, environment, and national security. To learn more about the Office of Science x-ray user facilities, visit http://science.energy.gov/user-facilities/basic-energy-sciences/.
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