Summer 2005          The Institute News         Vol. III, No. I

The Institute for Advanced Physics
P.O. Box 15030
Baton Rouge, LA  70895
info@IAPweb.org

Four Candidates Achieve Certified Membership

Dermott J. Mullan
(click for photo)
is a Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Delaware, where he has been for the past 30 years.  In 1969, he received his Ph.D. in astronomy from the University of Maryland.  His current research centers on studies of the structure of the Sun and other stars, especially as these are influenced by magnetic fields. 

     Dr. Mullan has numerous papers published in professional journals, including Astrophysics Journal and Solar Physics, on topics such as astrophysical magneto hydrodynamics (MHD).  Copies of his published research papers can be assessed online at the Astrophysical Data Site by entering "Mullan, D." in the Author's box, and then clicking on the "send Query" button.
       
     On a personal note, Dr. Mullan is interested in supporting the Church in her mission to pass on the Faith.  He eagerly admits that this first involves passing the faith on to his own children.  He and his wife Sue have 10 children.   Dr. Mullan obtained a Catechist Certificate from The Notre Dame Institute which has since merged with Christendom College as a theology graduate program.  His articles on various Catholic topics have appeared in the Homiletic and Pastoral Review, National Catholic Register, The Catholic Answer, Liguorian and New Oxford Review.


Christopher S. Morrissey
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teaches Ancient Greek and Latin at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada.  He also teaches Medieval Philosophy, Medieval Ecclesiastical Latin, and a course in the Metaphysics of St. Thomas Aquinas at Redeemer Pacific College. 

     Although he started out at university studying undergraduate Physics, he followed the money and went on to a sixteen-year career writing custom database software for stockbrokers and investment dealers.  While successfully running his own consulting company during the dotcom era (More C Communications Inc., a Microsoft Certified Solution Provider), he also worked part-time at his real love: learning Greek to read Aristotle and learning Latin to read Aquinas.  (He has more of an ontological habit of mind than an empiriometric one.)

      Chris earned his M.A. in Classics (Greek and Latin) from the University of British Columbia, where he wrote his thesis on the concepts of motion, place, and time in Aristotle’s Physics and he plans to finish his Ph.D. this year at Simon Fraser University (on top of B.C.’s Burnaby Mountain).  Thomism satisfied his intellectual quest for answers about the philosophy of nature.  He notes that emphasis on physical nature is critical, and that it is the traditional way of properly understanding St. Thomas Aquinas.  He is happy that this noble tradition lives on in the exciting and important work of the Institute for Advanced Physics.
(click for photo)
is a graduate student in theoretical astrophysics at Cornell University, NY, with an anticipated graduation date of May 2006.  His graduate research, conducted under the direction of Ira Wasserman, has been concerned with the interface between string theory and cosmology, particularly within the context of the inflationary early-universe paradigm. 

    His particular contributions, contained so far in five research papers, have been made chiefly in studying topological defects called cosmic strings that are thought to arise in string theory models of the early universe, both in a purely theoretical context and in comparison with observational data.  While a graduate student, Mark has received funding from a Phi Kappa Phi graduate fellowship, a National Science Foundation Graduate Research fellowship, and has just received a new fellowship from the NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program.  He has also taught a variety of physics courses.

    Mark's interests have always been broader than science.  As an undergraduate at McNeese State University, located in his hometown of Lake Charles, LA, Mark received three bachelor's degrees in the subjects of Physics, Mathematics and English Literature.  He also currently acts as volunteer pipe organist for his parish in Ithaca, New York.  After his conversion to Catholicism in 2001, he co-founded and is the current president of a graduate student club, called the Catholic Circle, at Cornell University that is devoted to prayer (particularly the Rosary), discussion of doctrine, and traditional liturgy.

    Mark's family resides in Lake Charles, Louisiana.  He and his fiancée plan to be married in 2006.


(click for photo)

teaches at the Legionaries of Christ seminary in New York.  Having an undergraduate background in physics and advance training in philosophy, Fr. Green attended one of Dr. Rizzi's lectures in the New York area and has been enthusiastic for the IAP mission ever since.  He was ordained in Rome on Thanksgiving Day last year.
   
     He is in the midst of a doctorial program based out of the Pontifical Athenaeum, Regina Apostolorum, in Rome, Italy.  On Dr. Rizzi's suggestion, he is beginning his doctorial thesis on the misunderstanding of the modern view of mathematics which has resulted in confusion about both the meaning of math and the meaning of our every day lives.

     More details coming soon.



    Marcus Grodi and Dr. Rizzi Co-host EWTN Series
The new series on Dr. Rizzi's book The Science Before Science
will be filmed in December.  Details to be posted soon.

   


   Three Bean Studios
    Designs IAP
    Web Site
         IAP's classy new home page was designed for IAP as a generous donation by Mark Gordon, Three Bean Studios. The site made its debut in February.   Mark runs his web development, advertising design and publishing business out of Westerly, Rhode Island.  He also hosts a nationally syndicated radio program, Rejoice in Hope.

         Our newsletter editor plans to produce future newsletters in the same software which supports the new site later this year.  Look for on-going improvements in our efforts to keep you up-to-date on IAP activities.  And we remain grateful to Mark and all those who so generously support us.


Physics for Realists II:
Development of an
Introductory Modern Physics Text

    The Institute for Advance Physics will host its 3rd annual summer conference with The Jacques Maritain Center on July 28 and 29.  Invited core group leaders from around the country will meet at The University of Notre Dame for hands on work sessions for the development of a physics text targeted for publication by IAP Press.  Participants will also benefit from lectures by IAP faculty, including Prof. Ralph McInerny and from certified members.  IAP Director Anthony Rizzi says the textbook is urgently needed so that advanced high school and college students can learn “the powerful principles of modern physics without the powerful error of neglecting its foundation and context in the broader physica.”  Last year, participants took a break from their paper work to "analyze the physics" involved during the launching of the 7 foot IAP water rocket.  The rocket provides the basis for actual problem analysis in the textbook.  This years participants will test out the new IAP water ball launcher.

      IAP is looking for qualified students to participate in a “test run” of the problem sets once they are developed.  Interested physics students may inquire at info@IAPweb.org.

Thank you Gay Boudreax
Latil Stationery and Office Supply
326 Third Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70801
(225) 383-4731

IAP is grateful for a May donation of office supplies from Gay Boudreax of Latil Stationery.   The claps envelops, file folders, paper clips and staples are helping to keep our daily correspondence moving smoothly and files organized.  We appreciate their support and that of our volunteers, like Don Caffery, who connect us with the local business community.  
 


New IAP Offices
     Donated office space is being constructed to make room for IAP's increasing staff.  IAP is seeking to fill two new positions and will now have an office for two scientists, one staff member and room to comfortably accommodate visiting faculty as well as summer interns. 
     IAP remains ever grateful to all our individual funders and the two foundations without who's support we would not have the manpower to move IAP at warp speed into its next phase of growth.  Since IAP is only two years old, and thus still in its infancy, the fruits of every donation of time, talent and money has a momentous impact on IAP's work.
Photo Gallery

   


IAP Associate Faculty
Fr. Benedict Ashley
Declines Oxford Appointment

     Fr. Ashley was recently offered a distinguished senior visiting fellowship at Oxford University in the philosophy & theology department.  In order to not impede his work at IAP, Fr. Ashley declined the appointment. 
     IAP extends a sincere thank you to Fr. Ashley for his dedication to IAP and its important mission.  In addition to teaching certified member candidates, Fr. Ashley will continue his other responsibilities including textbook development.
 
Calendar Highlights
January 30

9:30pm on WLAE-TV/PBS station, New Orleans, LA, The Church Alive on faith and science with Fr. William Maestri interviewing Dr. Anthony Rizzi and Archbishop Alfred Hughes.

February 19

7:15pm St. Agnes Parish, Baton Rouge, LA,
reservations required.            “(Let) Science Come Home”

April 6-8

Clemson University, SC, Sobczyk Lectures series:

    April 6  at 11:00am      physics students lecture

     April 6 at 4:00pm         physics, astronomy,                                                                                 mathematics colloquium

    April 7 at 11:00am       physics students lecture

    April 7 at 6:00pm         public lecture
July 28-29 "Physics for Realists II: Development of an Introductory Modern Physics Text"
conference at:   The University of Notre Dame, IN


December 5-9 Filming and production on an EWTN series on The Science Before Science:

A Guide to Thinking and Believing based on the newly released book
December 5
Science and Faith
open line discussion
with Dr. Rizzi on EWTN's
 
The Journey Home
Monday, December 5
8pm ET/7pm CT.
  
         

  Be instrumental in advancing
IAP’s mission.

With a donation of $50 or more you will receive
an autographed copy of the newly released book

The Science Before Science: A Guide to
Thinking in the 21st Century.

          Send check or money order to:
“The Institute for Advanced Physics”
PO Box 15030
Baton Rouge, LA  70895

          Please include your email address and phone number!  And don’t forget to tell us who’s name to address the autograph to in the book.


New Offices in need of Furniture and Computers!
             In May 2005, IAP moved into its newly built donated office space.  The three offices are in need of office furniture, equipment and computers.  Please contact us if you would like to make a designated donation for any our many needs including computers, copy machine, desks, chairs, conference table, and bookcases.  Our most sincere thanks to all of you who support us with prayers and donations.  We put every donation to very good use!
Contact Susan at info@IAPweb.org to help.