A University of Mississippi physicist has been appointed the assistant spokesperson of a worldwide scientific collaboration.
Marco Cavaglia, UM associate professor of physics and astronomy, was selected to the position in the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory Scientific Collaboration, or LSC, a dynamic group of more than 800 scientists worldwide who have joined together in the search for gravitational waves from the most violent events in the universe.The collaboration spokesperson leads the LSC, represents it to the outside world and is responsible for its proper functioning. The current spokesperson is Gabriela Gonzalez, professor of physics and astronomy at Louisiana State University.
“With the approval of the LSC executive committee, Dr. Gonzalez appointed me as assistant spokesperson for one year, starting on Jan 16, 2012,” Cavaglia said. “In this position, I am helping her with the many activities that are needed to keep the smooth functioning of the LSC. Specifically, I will oversee the proper progress of regular collaboration activities and help to oversee the progress of some of the new projects that are approved by the LSC council or the executive committee.”
UM administrators and faculty congratulated Cavaglia upon news of his appointment.
“Dr. Cavaglia has played an important role in the LIGO collaboration over the years. This has brought national exposure to the university and Department of Physics and Astronomy,” said Lucien Cremaldi, chair and professor of physics and astronomy. “It was clear to me that at some point Marco’s leadership qualities, recognized by all, would project him in to this important executive position. When our top faculty are recognized with these types of positions, the university and department are brought in to the national spotlight.”
“Dr. Cavaglia’s work connects the University of Mississippi to this important international research endeavor,” said Glenn Hopkins, dean of UM’s College of Liberal Arts.
“Marco’s appointment as the assistant spokesperson for the collaboration is a testament to his work and commitment within the collaboration,” said Emanuele Berti, assistant professor of physics and astronomy who works with Cavaglia in gravitational-wave research. “The gravity group at the University of Mississippi has been growing in quality and quantity in the past few years, thanks also to Marco’s hard work.
“Our group is now among the strongest groups in the U.S. in training a new generation of scholars who will play an important role in the international effort to search for gravitational waves.”
The LSC is a group of scientists seeking to make the first direct detection of gravitational waves, use them to explore the fundamental physics of gravity and develop the emerging field of gravitational wave science as a tool of astronomical discovery. The LSC works toward this goal through research on, and development of techniques for, gravitational wave detection; and the development, commissioning and exploitation of gravitational wave detectors.
Since joining the LSC in 2007, UM research scientists have done work in data analysis, characterization of the detector and education and public outreach. The Ole Miss LIGO Group is also funded by the National Science Foundation and has received more than $1.5 million in grants.
The LSC carries out the science of the LIGO Observatories, located in Hanford, Wash., and Livingston, La., as well as that of the GEO600 detector in Hannover, Germany. Their collaboration is organized around three general areas of research: analysis of LIGO and GEO data searching for gravitational waves from astrophysical sources, detector operations and characterization and development of future large scale gravitational wave detectors.
Founded in 1997, the LSC is made up of more than 800 scientists from about 80 institutions and 13 countries worldwide. Prospective members must arrange a Memorandum of Understanding with LIGO Laboratory and the LIGO Scientific Collaboration and present their proposed collaborative program at an LSC meeting. New memberships are approved by a two-thirds majority vote of the LSC Council.
For more information, visi the Ole Miss LIGO Group or the UM Department of Physics and Astronomy. For more information about LIGO, visit http://www.ligo.org/.