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has a Ph.D. in astronomy from the University of
Arizona (1992) and subsequently worked for five years as a research associate
in the U of A theoretical astrophysics group.
His research involved infrared studies of the Galactic
Center stellar population, the massive black hole candidate Sgr A* ("Saj-A-star"),
and theoretical studies of stellar dynamical systems. He has been
an adjunct astronomy lecturer for Pima County Community College and the
Community College of Southern Nevada as well as an undergraduate physics
lecturer and laboratory instructor at the University of Arizona. Theology, philosophy, and natural science have long been favorite interests. As a graduate student he helped co-found the St. Albert the Great Forum on Theology and Science at the University of Arizona St. Thomas More Newman Center which received a Campus Ministry Award from the National Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2001. He is an avid reader and collector of Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas. Upon moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in the late nineties he worked in private industry as a corporate web site and application developer. He now works as a pipeline engineer doing GPS data integration, risk analysis, and economic Monte Carlo modeling. He and his wife Karen have two children. He teaches catechism for second year confirmation students and gives RCIA talks at local parishes. He gratefully welcomes the opportunity to participate in textbook development and teaching activities through the Institute. David Ciampa
was
a member of the team who successfully discovered one of only twelve fundamental
building blocks of nature: the tau
neutrino. He began his formal studies in physics by earning
a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley and proceeded to earn
a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Michigan. He was a
post-doctoral research associate at the University of Minnesota for six years.
Currently, he works at Thomson, Inc. where he obtained four patents and is
the recipient of a Thomson Technical Excellence Semi-Annual Award.
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(click for photo)
Captain Steve "Gus" Guse, United
States Navy, is a pilot who has flown from the decks of several aircraft
carriers for the past 24 years. Captain Guse graduated from Penn
State University in August 1981 with a BS in science. He reported
to aviation officer candidate school in Pensacola, Florida where he was
commissioned as an Ensign, USNR in February 1982. Capt. Guse earned
his "Wings of Gold" in February 1984 and reported to VAW-120 in Norfold,
VA for transition training in the E-2C "Hawkeye" aircraft. He
reported to VAW-127 for his first fleet assignment and a few staff tours.
Additionally, he attended the Naval War College in Newport, RI where he
earned a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies.
In January 2001 Capt. Guse assumed command of VAW-124 where he served as commanding officer for fifteen months. Following that assignment, he reported to the aircraft carrier USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN75) where he served for 24 months as the Air Boss. Captain Guse has flown 69 combat missions including Operation Eldorado Canyon (Libya), Operation Desert Storm, Operation Allied Force (Kosovo), and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He has completed five major deployments and accumulated nearly 6000 flight hours in eleven different aircraft while logging 613 carrier arrested landings. Capt. Guse is a high school classmate of Dr. Rizzi although they had not had contact since graduation. In 2005, Capt. Guse says, "I have had more than a passing interest in the crossroads of science, religion, and philosophy for many years. I've read several books, but was still unclear about a number of topics. When a friend of mine told me about Dr. Rizzi's book, I looked into it simply because I had known Dr. Rizzi in high school. When I discovered what it was all about, I thought, wow, this is wonderful, here's everything I've been trying to understand for the past 20 years in one book!" |
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Phillip Bellini (click for photo) was born and raised
in
Phillip’s articles on a variety of topics can be viewed at www.cybercatholics.com.
Phillip’s family home in |
James Louviere (click for photo) has been actively involved in the jewelry business for 38 years, as a craftsman, diamond setter and technology inventor. He moved to Lafayette, LA 19 years ago to Stuller Inc, the country’s leading manufacturer and distributor of fine jewelry, to head up their Research and Development Department. Five years later he launched their Religious and Family jewelry department, which he has directed for the last 14 years. Professionally and personally, he is also a talented designer and poet (creator and author of the popular “Gift Wrapped Heart” and “Rugged Cross” line of Chastity Rings, which are distributed nationwide) and songwriter. James also serves as President of Champions of the Truth, a non-profit lay organization dedicated to making Catholic Truth known and loved. see http://www.gotruth.com/ In this capacity he hosts a weekly, local, live, call-in, TV talk show (in its fifth year now), and he also produces video and audio materials for many Catholic authors and teachers, including Dr. Rizzi. He has been "constantly amazed at the profound new insights" he receives in learning the material in The Science Before Science. James and his wife of 32 years, Ruth Anne, are the proud parents/grandparents of two daughters, two grandsons, another grandchild on the way, and a granddaughter in heaven. “Jewelry and gemstones” he says “possess a mysterious beauty, no doubt put there by God to point – though indirectly and vaguely – to the eternal beauty of Heaven. Nothing, however, is more beautiful than Catholic Truth, which gives us the perfect, living, snapshot of Heaven, and the means to obtain it. |
Dr. Rizzi
answers callers'/emailers' questions live on
EWTN's The Journey Home Monday, December 5 8pm EST |
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High School Students participate in IAP textbook development ***************
Ben Chustz
(click for photo) is now well underway in his freshman physics and math
program at LSU. He started the semester with a unique jump start from
IAP. Ben graduated from Denham Springs High School, LA in May.
He participated in the state calculus rally and has been a math tutor during
high school. In June, Ben was
one of the first students to study from IAP's Physics for Realists textbook.
He participated in lectures by Professor Rizzi at the IAP office and did the
first test run of some problems from the first half of the book.
According to Prof. Rizzi, the textbook presents “the powerful principles of modern physics without
the powerful error of neglecting its foundation and context in the broader
physica.”
Ben describes the experience as fascinating, explaining how he wished he had seen physics presented this way before. He is especially looking forward to reading the chapter on relativity which is still in development. The textbook is nearing completion. Editing and layout will start in 2006. |
Physics for Realists II:
Development of an Introductory Modern Physics Text
IAP faculty and certified members participated in IAP's 3rd annual summer
conference at The University of Notre Dame. The
conference, cosponsored by The Jacques Maritain Center,
was held on July 28 and 29.
Thanks to Certified Members Fr. Matthew Green, LC and John Keck, Ph.D. for the conference photographs (click on descriptions below to view photos) Dome with Our Lady (Notre Dame) on top Fr. Ashley on philosophy Dr. Rizzi on physics Prof. McInerny on philosophy Capt. Guse receives certificate Fr. Green receives certificate Chris Morrissey receives certificate Fr. Higgins presents problems for text Chris Morrissey presents group study results Some participants meet at the grotto (from left: Dr. John Keck , Chris Morrissey, Dr. Rizzi, Fr. Nichols, Capt. Guse, Fr. Higgins, Fr. Green) Preparing IAP rocket for launch Water rocket lift off Rocket soars above trees |
| "Doctor
[Rizzi], let me take a moment to tell you something. You have just
presented perhaps the most, in my opinion, the most logical, down to earth
conversation on this subject I for one have heard ever!"
Ed Buggs, host on WIBR talk radio, Baton Rouge, LA |
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Hurricane
Katrina and
Hurricane Rita storm by IAP On Monday, August 29 the eye of storm Hurricane
Katrina made its infamous landfall near Waveland, Mississippi which is
approximately 100 miles east of Baton Rouge. The impact of this devastating
category 4 storm is seen on televisions across America. Even though
IAP was on the weaker west side of the storm, the storm had a strong impact
on the local IAP community. Hundred foot tall trees within blocks
of the IAP office sliced through buildings. IAP lost water and telephone
service for a day (with phone service providing minimal access for the next
several weeks) and electricity was out for three days.
On Saturday, September 24, the eye of storm Hurricane Rita rages through Beaumont, Texas just 200 miles West of Baton Rouge. Baton Rouge is about 60 miles North of the Gulf of Mexico. Although the storm is farther away, the strength is the same as IAP finds itself on the east side of this storm. However, the damage for IAP's area was not as great. Just weeks earlier, the winds of Katrina had cleared away most of the potentially damaging trees. Please pray for our Members and benefactors in New Orleans who still suffer from the devastating destruction to their homes and businesses. As the gulf coast mourns the death of so many, we are thankful to God that the suffering of our IAP community is only business and property. |
Thank you IAP Volunteers Don Caffery Mac Cazedessus Dr. John Keck Mr. & Mrs. James Louviere at the auction. Mac contacted Mr. Eric Leduff, who works at St. Agnes Catholic Church, regarding unused chairs. We are grateful to Pastor Msgr. Robert Berggreen who agreed to donate three chairs to IAP. John brought a box of science books for IAP's library to the summer conference. James and Ruth Anne donated a computer, monitor and keyboard for IAP interns and visiting members. We appreciate their support and that of all our volunteers who connect us with the local business community. |
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2005 Calendar Highlights
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A Great Christmas Gift!
With a donation of $50 or more you will
receive an autographed copy of 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. Our on-going appreciation to
those of you who have purchased from our web site hard cover copies of The Science Before Science and donated them to public libraries, your local high school and university libraries. Thank you to everyone who has placed this important book in the hands of people in your community. |
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New Offices
in need of Furniture and Computers!
In May 2005, IAP moved into its newly built donated office
space. We are in need of two computers/monitors, one printer/copier
with a table, 1 bookcase and a small refrigerator. We are grateful
for the two desks, chairs and filing cabinet we received this summer.
Please contact us if you would like to make a designated donation for any
of these items. 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.
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