03-10-06

Iowa State undergraduate to make rare presentation to American Physical Society

AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State University senior Stephanie Law will be among the elite few undergraduate students to give a presentation to the American Physical Society in Baltimore March 13-17.

The Marion native will discuss her work with rare earths and nickel germanium crystals at the professional society's March meeting which highlights cutting-edge research.

Of the 6,500 attendees presenting papers at the event, fewer than 20 - less than one half of 1 percent - are undergraduates, according to James Riordon of the American Physical Society.

The remainder of the presenters are graduate students, professors, post-doctoral students or physics professionals.

Law's involvement in research began through the Iowa State Honors Program after she arrived on campus four years ago.

"Through the [Honors] Program, I was able to get involved with research," said Law. "It has been a fantastic experience."

Law's mentor since her first year has been Paul Canfield, Iowa State physics professor. He believes Law has the potential to do very well in the field.

"Her potential in the short term is as an excellent graduate student. In the long term there really are no limits to what she can do," Canfield said.

Law graduates this spring and plans to continue her education in physics.

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