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Following the success of our first online Physics Colloquium, we will have a second colloquium to be given by Shohini Ghose. In her colloquium, entitled The quantum revolution, Shohini will give an overview on the state-of-the-art in quantum computing.

Shohini Ghose is Professor in Physics & Computer Science at the Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada, as well as Founding Director of the Laurier Centre for Women in Science, President of the Canadian Association of Physicists and a TED Senior Fellow. Her research is in the area of quantum information science – the study of how the laws of quantum physics can be harnessed to transform computation and communication, and to develop novel tasks such as teleportation.

The event will be held on Friday 29.05.20 at the exceptional time of 15:15, on the following University Zoom meeting:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://helsinki.zoom.us/j/68558909770?pwd=ejZWTUVsUmtSMlZDeWRBelpuU1R4Zz09
Meeting ID: 68558909770

Here is her abstract:

Quantum physics has already transformed society by enabling our current computing technologies as well as our communications systems and the internet. The next quantum revolution may lead to game-changing quantum computers and a quantum internet. This presentation provides an overview of current developments in the field and the potential impact on science and society.

In the spirit of our usual cocktail reception, we encourage all attendees to join us with a glass of your favourite tipple. Cheers!

Our first online Physics Colloquium will be given by Hanna Vehkamäki, who will talk to us about the physics of molecular cluster formation in the atmosphere.

The event will be held, as usual on Friday (24.04.20) at 14:15, on the following University Zoom meeting:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://helsinki.zoom.us/j/67285788599
Meeting ID: 672 8578 8599

Hanna is Professor in Computational Aerosol Physics here at the University of Helsinki, and she is well known in the University to be an excellent and engaging speaker, as well as being an accomplished physicist. In her work, she focuses on computational and theoretical methods to  understand cluster and particle formation for atmospherically relevant molecules. She has won several awards including the Finnish Aerosol Research Foundation Distinguished Researcher Award, The NOSA (Nordic Society for Aerosol Research) Aerosologist Award as well as the University of Helsinki Maikki Friberg Award for Promoting Equality.

In her colloquium, entitled Molecular cluster formation in the atmosphere, Hanna will tell us about aerosol particles in the atmosphere, and her work on understanding their formation. This is an important topic for climate modelling and an interesting area of physics.

Here is her abstract:

Roughly half of the particles in the Earth’s atmosphere originate from molecular clustering of gaseous species such as sulphuric acid, ammonia, amines and highly oxidized organic compounds- the other half are emitted to the atmosphere as ready-made particles such as dust and pollen.
Atmospheric particles affect air quality, and cloud formation in our atmosphere always involves particles which act as cloud condensation nuclei. The effect of particles via clouds constitute the largest uncertainty in predicting future climate. The molecular mechanisms for formation of molecular clusters and their growth to atmospheric aerosol particles in the diverse atmospheric conditions are not yet understood. In my presentation will give an introduction to state-of-the-art quantum chemistry based models of atmospheric cluster formation, recent developments in detailed understanding of the experiments used to study these clusters, and discuss the agreement between theory and experiments.

In the spirit of our usual cocktail reception, we encourage all attendees to join us with a glass of sparkling wine. Cheers!

Our second colloquium of the Spring 2020 season will be Panu Jaakkola, Professor and Research Director at the Helsinki University Hospital (HUS) Comprehensive Cancer Centre. Professor Jaakkola’s work on cellular oxygen sensing was cited as a key publication in the Nobel Prize in Medicine 2019.

Professor Jaakkola is both a qualified medical doctor and researcher. He has worked on fundamental cellular and molecular cancer research, as well as on translational research between basic life sciences and clinical cancer research. He currently holds posts at the Helsinki University Hospital, the University of Helsinki and the University of Turku.

In his colloquium, entitled Cellular oxygen sensing, Nobel Prize in Medicine 2019, Professor Jaakkola will tell us about the science behind the last Nobel prize in Medicine.

Here is his abstract:

Reduced oxygen availability to tissues (hypoxia) occur in a number of physiological and medical conditions. How human and animal cells sense the level of oxygen and how they respond to reduced amount of oxygen is essential for the functioning of body. For example erytropoietin hormone is induced by hypoxia (insufficient oxygen level in tissues) and increases the amount of red blood cells. The molecular mechanisms as to how cells sense the oxygen level and how they respond to hypoxia has been revealed by G. Semenza, P. Ratcliffe and W. Kaelin. They were awarded the Nobel prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2019.

After the 30 minute talk, there will be a cocktail reception. Welcome!

Our first colloquium of the Spring 2020 season will be the inaugural lecture of a new full professor in our department, Flyura Djurabekova.

Flyura is Professor in Materials in Extreme Environments here at the University of Helsinki. In her research she works on computational modelling of materials, with a focus on understanding materials under the extreme environments of particle accelerators.

In her colloquium, entitled Materials in extreme environments of particle accelerators, Flyura will tell us about how multiscale modelling can be used to understand the complex problem of vacuum arcing.

Here is her abstract:

Materials help to bring our dreams to life. Over the long history of the human kind, we learned to design and modify different materials to fit our needs. However, the courage of modern people to challenge the deep secrets of the Universe demands yet new knowledge of how to make the materials collaborate in conditions that are far beyond the standard ones. For instance, design and construction of powerful particle colliders to peek into the heart of the Universe require high engineering and construction skill. However, the lack of fundamental knowledge of key physical processes developing within the accelerating structures can hinder heavily the well-planned efforts.
In my presentation, I will describe our multiscale modelling of processes that are leading to and developing during vacuum arcing, a serious problem disturbing the operation of accelerating structures by strongly reducing its efficiency. On the other hand, vacuum arcing is not only a problem of particle accelerators; it is commonly seen in many places where high electric or electromagnetic fields are in touch with metals. By developing novel computational tools, we have been able to address many of the complex and multiphysics processes underlining the vacuum arcing.

After the 30 minute talk, there will be a cocktail reception. Welcome!

For our colloquium on 11th of October, we will be joined by Professor Tuija Pulkkinen. Professor Pulkkinen is a space physicist and Chair of the Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering, University of Michigan, USA. Her primary research foci are studying the energy flow from the solar wind to the near-Earth space environment and the energy dissipation processes in the magnetosphere.

Students drown under expanding curricula, young assistant professors panic under the everchanging requirements for tenure, senior professors have no time for research, and faculty and staff have no voice in the university’s decision-making.” We have all seen these headlines, in all continents and throughout times. Yet, the challenges are changing and contain regional and cultural aspects. While the academia will continue to be a competitive environment and thereby to some extent stressful, there are many ways to turn unnecessary competition to collaboration, reward community building efforts, and actively promote diversity, equity and inclusion in the local environment. This talk discusses issues contributing to wellbeing or lack thereof based solely on personal experiences of academic leadership in Finland and in the US.