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U of M physicists involved in ground-breaking research to search for origins of the universe
November 24, 2009
Often called the biggest science experiment in history, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at the European Center for Nuclear Research (CERN) outside Geneva, Switzerland, achieved its first milestone yesterday when it experienced the first proton collisions. The event comes just three days after the LHC restart, when particle beams once again began zooming around the world’s most powerful particle accelerator. The experiments at LHC are expected to yield new insights into the beginnings of our universe.
More than 25 University of Minnesota physicists are among the 1,700 international scientists and engineers who have collaborated on designing and building the LHC accelerator and its four massive particle detectors. Two professors who can comment on the latest milestone are:
Roger Rusack, physics professor, School of Physics and Astronomy
Rusack is one of the half dozen University of Minnesota physicists who are in CERN working on the project. Rusack has been actively involved with the LHC since 1993. He helped design and develop many components of the detector and has contributed to the scientific effort and management. He currently is the project manager for the electromagnetic calorimeter, one of the large international components of the detector.
Jeremiah Mans, physics assistant professor, School of Physics and Astronomy
Mans is currently in the Twin Cities, but has been following the progress of the LHC very closely. Mans’ main responsibilities with the LHC are the design, building and maintenance of the timing and laser control electronics and the data acquisition software for the Hadron Calorimeter, which will measure the energies of quark-containing particles. Besides working on the detector itself, Mans and students in his group are preparing software to analyze the results from the first collisions.
To interview professors Rusack or Mans, contact Rhonda Zurn at (612) 626-7959 or rzurn@umn.edu; or Ryan Mathre at (612) 625-0552 or mathre@umn.edu.
Holiday shopping in a recession
Nov. 23, 2009
This holiday season, manufacturers, retailers, consumers and many others are playing a guessing game as a consequence of the economic ups and downs. When will the best sales occur and where? How will social media influence advertising and sales? Which brands are immune to price pressure and which ones aren't? University of Minnesota experts available to analyze this season of shopping are:
Mark Bergen, University of Minnesota Carlson School marketing professor
“Retailers have become more expert in using sales and product selection to land customers during these tough economic times,” says Bergen. “We'll see these lessons this holiday season as retailers offer more aggressive prices, even earlier in the season and create selections full of new sizes, new variations, brands and combinations to attract the economically more uncertain, more cautious and conservative customers.” Bergen is a sought-after lecturer and professor with expertise on a multitude of topics related to pricing. Bergen’s areas of expertise are bartering, gray markets, counterfeits, deflation, price wars and marketing strategy this holiday season.
Akshay Rao, University of Minnesota Carlson School marketing professor
There are more questions than answers this holiday season. “Should I shop now or wait for better deals? Will online shopping offer better sales than retail stores? How will social networking sites like Twitter affect how retailers advertise? These are some of the questions being asked this year,” says Rao, director of the Institute for Research in Marketing. “The holiday shopping season still remains the most important time of the year in terms of retail sales but when and how consumers spend is the question that is keeping retailers up at night.” Rao's teaching, research and consulting have focused on industries ranging from food and airlines to apparel and the Internet. His research and opinions have been featured in Time, The Boston Globe, NPR and other outlets. Rao’s areas of expertise are advertising, branding, gas prices and decision making.
To interview Bergen or Rao, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu; Rebecca Monro at (612) 644-4135 or rmonro@umn.edu; or Ryan Mathre at (612) 625-0552 or mathre@umn.edu.
Turkey -- the other, other white meat and not just for Thanksgiving anymore
November 19, 2009
You might want to start eating more turkey than just on Thanksgiving. Not only is the turkey industry an integral $800 million part of Minnesota’s economy, it’s also a more healthful alternative to other meats. A University of Minnesota expert who can talk turkey is:
Sally Noll, University of Minnesota Extension professor in turkey production
Noll can discuss how turkey is an emerging food source and nutritious option to other meats. “It's a good protein source and very low in fat,” says Noll. “So for those looking to limit caloric intake and get a balanced protein source, turkey meat is a very good product.” She can also explain how her work as a U of M researcher helps Minnesota producers.
To listen to Noll: http://mediamill.cla.umn.edu/mediamill/embed/21856
To interview Noll, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu; or Elizabeth Giorgi at (612) 624-0214 or egiorgi@umn.edu.
