The annual GPAS Conference, held this year on April 16th 2025, invites graduate students from all subfields to showcase their thesis work and practice their presentation skills, either in the form of a ten-minute talk during the regular colloquium hour or as a poster in the following poster session. The colloquium presenters this year were spread over three of the four department subfields, with one nuclear talk, one condensed matter talk, and one astronomy talk. Thomas Bailey, a sixth year nuclear physics graduate student, discussed his ongoing thesis work on quantifying and using uranium ore concentrations as a fingerprint for mines around the world. Lili Vajtai, a second year condensed matter student, showed her work on the applications of magnetism and ferrofluids in both medicine and industry. Jared Kolecki (featured in the post photo), a third year astronomy student, described his methods for using the chemical abundances in a star to characterize the possible types of planets in other solar systems. Following the presentations, accompanied with light refreshments during the weekly colloquium tea, other students presented posters to their peers on their recent progress towards their thesis. Excellent work to all presenters at this year’s conference, and congratulations on the free department mug for the speakers!
Category: Events
Event Listings and Recaps Relevant to GPAS
GPS celebrates Black History Month with a trivia night and southern food

Physics grad students have fun at the GPS Holiday Party

First Social Committee Event of the Year–Football Explanation, Scrimmage, and Watch Party
Hello fellow grad students!
An event for football fanatics and newbies! Come along and watch as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish take on the University of Louisville Cardinals in the opening game of the season! Kick off is at 8:00 but come at 6:00 to either learn the rules or explain the rules, and play a quick pick up game!
GPS Visits the Chicago(‘s Minor League Affiliate) Cubs!
GPS Movie Night!
Join the GPS Social Committee for a Movie Night! We will be watching Monty Python and the Holy Grail starting at 5pm this Friday, June 28th. Popcorn will be provided, but feel free to bring any other snacks that you want. This event is also BYOB. Hope to see you there!
GPS End-of-Year Picnic!
Come join GPS at Potato Creek State Park on June 8th for our End-of-Year Picnic! Celebrate the end of a great school year and welcome the incoming first-year students with friends, BBQ food, drinks, and canoeing!
RSVP HERE for carpooling, +1s, potluck dishes, and canoe rentals! Look for a reminder email soon with more details.
Annual GPS Holiday Party

Game Night
Join GPS for a game night immediately following the Happy Hour this Thursday in NSH 202. We will provide pizza and other refreshments. Bring your favorite games to play!
Traditional Festival Celebration
Come taste some traditional teas and sweets in celebration of Diwali and the Mid-Autumn Festival.