Loebsack tours University of Iowa physics and astronomy research lab
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Randall McEntaffer, assistant professor of physics and
astronomy, gives U.S. Representative Dave Loebsack a tour of his lab in the
basement of Van Allen Hall on Tuesday. Loebsack visited to learn more about the
impact NASA funding has at the UI. Photo by Tim Schoon.
U.S. Representative Dave Loebsack of Iowa's 2nd
Congressional District visited the University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts
and Sciences Department of Physics and Astronomy March 18 for a roundtable
discussion with faculty.
Among the topics of discussion were the importance of
STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education and the impact of
NASA funding on the university and the state of Iowa.
The UI currently
participates in a variety of K-12 STEM activities—including HAWK EYES on Space,
an outreach demonstration program held at Iowa schools—and UI researchers
attracted more than $3.9 million in NASA funding during fiscal year 2013.
Loebsack also toured the laboratory of Randall
McEntaffer, assistant professor of physics and astronomy. McEntaffer is one of
102 U.S. scientists and engineers named by President Barack Obama as recipients
of Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), the
highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on scientists and engineers in
the early stages of their independent research careers.
The winners will
receive their awards at a Washington, D.C., ceremony during 2014.
One of only five PECASE recipients honored by NASA,
McEntaffer was recognized for his development of instruments for the next
generation of space-based X-ray spectrometers used in astronomical research.
McEntaffer, a Sioux City, Iowa, native who earned bachelor's degrees in physics
and astronomy from the UI, joined the UI faculty in 2008.
BY: GARY GALLUZZO
