A University of Georgia physicist will go for broke when he lectures on a roulette-like problem-solving method at 4 p.m. Friday, April 30, in 260 Hodges Hall on the West Virginia University downtown campus.
David Landau, Distinguished Research Professor of Physics at UGA , will speak onA New Approach in Monte Carlo Simulations in Statistical Physics.His talk is part of an afternoon of activities honoring retired WVU physics professor Barry Cooper.
Landau researches various problems in condensed matter physics. In his research, he employs a variety of computational simulations of physical phenomena, including the Monte Carlo method. This method uses probabilities as in roulette to reach approximate solutions to mathematical and physics problems. Its name is derived from the famous gaming resort city in Monaco.
Landau’s work landed him the American Physical Society’s Aneesur Rahman Prize for Computational Physics in 2002.
A reception will follow at 5 p.m. in Elizabeth Moore Hall.
The WVU Department of Physics and Eberly College of Arts and Sciences have organized the lecture and reception in recognition of Cooper’s career.
Cooper was the Benedum Professor of Physics at WVU from 1974 until 2003. His research on condensed matter physics includes about 500 papers, articles and presentations and has had a lasting impact on the international scientific community.
He has been responsible for bringing leading scientists to Morgantown through the Lakeview Conference Series on Computational Materials Science and played a key role in the establishment of the West Virginia Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, or EPSCoR.
As an emeritus professor, Cooper continues to be involved in condensed matter theory research.
The department and college are seeking funds through the WVU Foundation to endow a lecture series in Cooper’s name. Checks may be made to the WVU Foundation with the phraseCooper Lecturefund #2W093on the memo line and mailed to the foundation at P.O. Box 1650, Morgantown, WV 25607 -1650. The WVU Foundation is a private, non-profit corporation that generates and provides support for WVU .