\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Easton, PA \u2013<\/strong> Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright announced that Lafayette College received a $120,000 federal grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). This grant provides funding to study the mysterious \u201cdark matter\u201d which makes up the majority of matter in the universe. A significant portion of this award will support undergraduate involvement in this research topic, thereby cultivating interest among the next generation of scientists and honing their computational skills.<\/p>\n The National Science Foundation (NSF) supports research, innovation, and discovery that provides the foundation for economic growth in this country. By advancing the frontiers of science and engineering, our nation can develop the knowledge and cutting edge technologies needed to address the challenges we face today and will face in the future.<\/p>\n \u201cI am a strong advocate for the National Science Foundation,\u201d said Rep. Cartwright,<\/strong> a member of the Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) Subcommittee.<\/strong> \u201cScientific advancement is one of the keys to U.S. competitiveness in a global marketplace; I commend Professor Brooks Thomas and Lafayette College on this award and will continue to support these programs.<\/p>\n \u201cMy goal is to provide a bridge between experiment and theory,\u201d says Professor Brooks Thomas, assistant Professor of Physics at Lafayette College.<\/strong> \u201cOver the last thirty years we have learned a great deal about dark matter, but many fundamental questions remain unanswered. Does the dark matter consist of one kind of particle or many? What forces does the dark matter feel? Input from both theory and experiment is needed in order to answer these questions.\u201d<\/p>\n This NSF grant will help to support Thomas and the students in his research group as they explore new ideas for what the dark matter could be and assess how to test those ideas experimentally.\u00a0 \u201cSince the basis of my work is theoretical, many people assume I sit in deep thought all day,\u201d Thomas jokes,<\/strong> \u201cbut theoretical physics involves hard work and a lot of late nights.\u00a0 It involves engaging in active discussions with other physicists, testing ideas, writing computer code, performing simulations, and analyzing and interpreting enormous data sets.\u201d<\/p>\n Rep. Matt Cartwright represents Pennsylvania\u2019s 17th Congressional District, which includes Schuylkill County and portions of Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, and Northampton Counties.\u00a0 Cartwright serves on the House Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Information Provided By: <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\nColleen Eagen Gerrity<\/p>\n
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