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In October, three ��ݮ��Ƶ physics students joined professionals from across the region, sharing the results of their summer research at the Fall 2025 Conference of the Eastern Great Lakes Section of the American Physical Society (APS), held Oct. 24-25 in Ypsilanti, Michigan. 

Attending alongside faculty mentors Dr. Ann Bragg and Dr. Dennis Kuhl, students Kellen Franks ’27, Mahlet Getahun ’27 and Hailey Romshak ’26 presented posters showcasing the research they completed during the summer of 2025. Their work was funded by Intel through the Appalachian Semiconductor Education and Technical (ASCENT) Ecosystem, supporting ��ݮ��Ƶ’s commitment to experiential learning in physics and related STEM fields. The students’ research explored topics ranging from thin-film surface science to laser-matter interaction modeling, projects that blend theory, computation, hands-on experimentation and real-world application.

The students’ poster presentations included:

• “Adsorbate-Induced Resistivity Changes by Diethyl Disulfide on Sputtered Au(111)” — Hailey Romshak, Kellen Franks, Dennis Kuhl
   
• “Reflectance Change Caused by Diethyl Disulfide Adsorption on an Au(111) Thin Film” — Kellen Franks, Hailey Romshak, Dennis Kuhl
   
• “Laser Module Development for an Open-Source Platform and Analysis of Ion-Acceleration Models” — Mahlet Getahun, Nicholas A. Murphy, Joseph R. Smith

In addition, Dr. Kuhl presented a poster co-developed with student Kaitlyn Stewart ’26, highlighting her capstone research: 

• "Fractional Resistivity Change Induced by Butanethiol on an Au(111) Thin Film" —&�Բ�����;Dennis E. Kuhl, Kaitlyn Ann Stewart

“Participating in a conference like this is one of the most impactful experiences a student can have. It comes as the culmination of a long process of learning how research is done, working collaboratively and working independently,” said Dr. Kuhl. “Here they experience how important it is to effectively communicate what they have learned and how it fits into our understanding of nature.”

For the students, the Eastern Great Lakes Section APS conference provided more than a platform to showcase their work. The experience offered them an opportunity to engage directly with peers, faculty, and industry experts, gathering valuable feedback on their research. They also gained insight into the broader field of physics and STEM research. 

“Going to this conference was a great experience overall because I was able to present my research to people who have been in this field and can ask in-depth questions, as well as offer suggestions on how to continue the research,” said Kellen Franks ’27. “It was also really cool to see the work other students are doing and to see the opportunities they had that could be available to me.”

Participation in conferences such as the Fall 2025 Conference of the Eastern Great Lakes Section of the APS enables ��ݮ��Ƶ students to apply classroom and lab experiences to complex, real-world scientific challenges, demonstrating the College’s commitment to preparing students for careers through research, mentorship and collaboration. Students leave our classrooms not only with knowledge, but with the skills and confidence to share discoveries and succeed, shaping the future of their fields.