News
Award-winning writer, documentarian to headline Presidential Lecture Series event, kicking off Purdue’s celebration of America’s 250th
Bestselling writer, documentarian and television producer Timothy Ferris will kick off the spring semester’s Presidential Lecture Series on Feb. 26 with a conversation with Purdue University President Mung Chiang addressing the pivotal role of science in advancing democracy and economic development. The lecture also commences Purdue’s yearlong celebration of our nation’s 250th birthday.
Professor Chamon Recently Ratified by Board of Trustees
The Purdue University Board of Trustees on Friday (Feb. 6) ratified faculty and dean appointments. The newly ratified faculty member in the Purdue Physics and Astronomy Department is Claudio Chamon, who will be the Julian S. Schwinger Professor of Physics and Astronomy.
Frederick L. Hovde Distinguished Lecturer: David Nolte
David D. Nolte is the Edward M. Purcell Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Purdue University. After receiving his degrees in physics from Cornell and Berkeley, he worked at AT&T Bell Labs before joining the faculty at Purdue. Prof. Nolte will be the 2025-26 Frederick L. Hovde Distinguished Lecturer on April 9th.
Frederick L. Hovde Distinguished Lecturer: Erica W. Carlson
Erica W. Carlson is a Professor of Physics and Astronomy at Purdue University. Prof. Carlson holds a BS in Physics from the California Institute of Technology (1994), as well as a Ph.D. in Physics from UCLA (2000). Prof. Carlson will be the 2025-26 Frederick L. Hovde Distinguished Lecturer on March 12.
Purdue physicist explains why winter static electricity shocks are worse
Journal and Courier — Pie tins fly off the Van de Graaf generator on Feb. 3, 2026, at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. When the generator starts to charge, it passes that charge to the pie tins and causes them to fly off as an example of how static electricity causes changes. PhysAstro Professor Erica Carlson explains why winter static-electricity shocks are worse.
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