Skaneateles to host international physics conference July 14-19

SKANEATELES — More than 80 physicists from around the world will converge at the lakeside village of Skaneateles this month for a weeklong scientific conference.

Known as PAVI 14, the confab will address recent breakthroughs in modern nuclear physics, with emphasis on parity violation and Hadronic structure, according to a news release from Syracuse University. PAVI 14 will take place at various venues around Skaneateles, including the Stella Maris Retreat and Renewal Center, July 14-19.

Among the highlights of PAVI 14 will be a lecture by Gordon Cates, professor of physics at the University of Virginia (UVA), titled “How Exploring Basic Science Leads to Unexpected Technology.” The lecture is Monday, July 14, at 7:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Skaneateles (97 East Genesee St.) and is followed by a reception, catered by the Sherwood Inn and sponsored by Welch Allyn.

To RSVP for the lecture and reception, contact Kelley M. Huttar at kelley.huttar@welchallyn.com or call (315) 685-4300.

“Gordon Cates is an undisputed leader in atomic, nuclear, and medical physics,” A. Alan Middleton, professor and chair of physics at Syracuse University, said in the release. “He understands how fundamental research has led to innumerable applications that impact our lives. This is especially true with nuclear science, which has made many recent contributions to energy production and medicine.”

In addition to Syracuse University’s physics department, PAVI 14 is co-sponsored by the Physics Department in UVA’s College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences; the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (a.k.a. JLab) in Newport News, Va.; and the Helmholtz Institute Mainz in Germany.

PAVI 14 is co-chaired by Paul Souder, professor of physics at Syracuse University and a longtime Skaneateles resident, and Kent Paschke, associate professor of physics at UVA.

Past PAVI conferences, which have been held in Greece, Germany, and France, have addressed dozens of topics.

Housed in Syracuse University’s College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of Physics has been educating students and carrying out research for more than 125 years.