Physics and Astronomy Graduate Student Association
Welcome to the website of the UNM Physics and Astronomy Graduate Student Association (PandA GSA)! We provide professional and social outlets for the Masters and PhD students of the department, including Optical Science and Engineering (OSE) students. This includes outreach opportunities, biweekly social meetings at local breweries, and seasonal gatherings. We also serve as the go-between for the faculty and the students, and communicate department happenings via our website and newsletter. Further, our GPSA council representatives vote for our interests within the UNM Graduate and Professional Student Association, of which we are a recognized student organization.
Contact Info
210 Yale Blvd NE Albuquerque, NM 87106 pandagsa@clubs.unm.edu
The Board
The Panda from PandA GSA
Panda
Panda Eternal
Co-President
TriSarahTops Stamer
Astrophysics; 3nd year
Hi! I’m Sarah, and I’m a third-year Astrophysics Ph.D. student. I do research with Dr. Diana Dragomir on exoplanet atmospheres, composition, and demographics. When I’m not working on research, you can probably find me playing percussion in local concert bands in Albuquerque or playing and teaching curling with the Roadrunner Curling Club!
Co-President
Izabela Pavel
Knows about space-time coordinates; 2nd year
Hello! I'm Izabela! I am a second year physics PhD student. I am currently working with Tim Dolch on improving timing solutions for millisecond pulsars. Outside of PAIS, you can typically find me playing Ultimate Frisbee, bouldering/top roping, or reading. Also, learning to be brave and not scared of heights before getting any other climbing certifications.
Treasurer
Tristan Larkin
CQuIC; 3rd year
Hey! I'm Tristan, a third year PhD student working with Ivan Deutsch. I love programming and going on walks around the university area. Board games and ping pong are also some of my favorite things to do!
Communications Secretary
Nate Hollingsworth
CQuIC; 2nd year
Hi I'm Nate, I am a second year physics PhD student. I do research with Ivan Deutsch in quantum optics and information. I like to cook, read, and play video games.
Event Organizer
Georgia McDowell
Particle Physics; 3rd year
I'm a 3rd year PhD student studying physics, specifically neutrinoless double beta decay, under Dr. Doug Fields. I mostly specialize on hardware in the lab, and like fixing cars and racing them in my free time. I also really like hiking, sewing, and woodworking!
Web Tech
Donald Ferschweiler
Fisher-Price™ My First Web Site; 3rd year
Hi! I'm Donald, and I'm a 3rd-year Physics PhD student in Dr. Victor Acosta's lab. If I'm not working on homework or research I'm probably doing something with guitar or electronics.
GPSA Representative
Saheed Oyeniran
Physics; 3rd year
Hi everyone! I’m Saheed, a second-year PhD student in Physics at UNM, working in Professor Sally Seidel's lab. My research focuses on Particle Physics, particularly with the ATLAS experiments, where I’m involved with the Silicon Radiation Damage and B-Physics Groups at the moment. In my free time, you can usually find me at Johnson Field playing sports (soccer most times) or at Johnson Gym doing some light workouts. Looking forward to connecting with you all!
GPSA Representative
Andy Deneris
CQuIC; 2nd year
Events
Biweekly Meetings
Our Biweekly Meetings are our main events!
Every two weeks, PandA & OSE grad students kick back and get to know one another a little better over two of the world's finest things: pizza and beer.
In an effort to get to know the city better, we regularly switch up the location!
Outings and BBQs
We're trying to do more outside these days, and BBQs have always been some of our favorite events!
At the beginning of each semester, these BBQs give us a chance to set phasors to "fun" before diving into another semester.
Holiday Events
While PandA GSA decidedly enjoys getting spooky on Halloween the most with a costume contest, themed decor, and more, we've got more than just tricks and treats.
We also host events for other major holidays to allow our brains to reset!
Annual Table Tennis Tournament
The newest addition to our yearly events!
Started in Spring 2023 we launched our first yearly table tennis tournament. It was held in the Physics, Astronomy and Interdisciplinary Science Building lobby with plenty of food to watch it all unfold. Stay tuned for this year's tournament where we will include professors as well!
Friends of PandA GSA!
WiPAO (Women in Physics, Astronomy, and Optics
Visit the WiPAO website!PUMP!
The Peer Undergraduate Mentorship Program (PUMP) is an effort to help our undergraduate students involved in Physics and Astronomy. Whether they are in their first semesters of the program or graduating in the near future and considering their next career steps, PUMP has the aim of helping them to excel. This is taken through a small-group mentorship approach - mentors are paired with a few mentees, and these groups meet every two weeks to discuss the ups and downs of their experiences as students, with the mentor providing guidance and resources as needed. The program provides structured mentorship to undergraduates, as well as experience in mentorship for our mentors. We will be running this program again in Fall 2023; if you are interested in being a mentor or mentee, please reach out to us here on the website!