Sylvester James Gates, Jr. will speak at the University of Maryland’s College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences Spring 2015 Commencement. The event will be held in the Xfinity Center on May 22 at 12:30 p.m.

Gates is a Distinguished University Professor, University System of Maryland Regents Professor and John S. Toll Professor of Physics at the University of Maryland. Also an affiliate mathematics professor, Gates is known for his pioneering work in supersymmetry and supergravity, areas closely related to string theory.

Born in Tampa, Florida, Gates earned two Bachelor of Science degrees in physics and mathematics and his Ph.D. in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 1984, Gates co-authored Superspace, or One thousand and one lessons in supersymmetry, the first comprehensive book on supersymmetry, and joined the faculty at Maryland as an associate professor. Four years later, he became the first African American to hold an endowed chair in physics at a major U.S. research university.

The author of more than 200 research papers and a member of the National Academy of Sciences, Gates has been featured in dozens of video documentaries, including five in 2015. For his contribution to science and research, he received the National Medal of Science from President Obama in 2013. Gates serves on the U.S. President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, the National Commission on Forensic Science, and the Maryland State Board of Education. He is a strong advocate for science, technology, engineering and mathematics education.

Gates’ twin son and daughter—biological sciences major Sylvester James Gates III and mathematics and physics double major Delilah Elizabeth Abney Gates—are both graduating this spring.

Jefferson Science Associates, JSA, announced the selection of Xiangdong Ji and Anatoly Radyushkin, Old Dominion University, as joint recipients of the 2015 Outstanding Nuclear Physicist Award for their seminal roles in the development of Generalized Parton Distributions and the identification of associated experimental observables via Deeply Virtual Compton Scattering.

Professor Ji, who also serves as Director of the Institute of Nuclear and Particle Physics at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, leads the PandaX experiment. He held post doctoral positions at CalTech and MIT and was on the MIT faculty before joining UMD in 1996. He is a fellow of the American Physical Society. Ji's previous awards include: 2014 Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Research Award; 2010 National 1000-Talent Expert, China; and, 2003 recipient of the Outstanding Overseas Young Chinese Scientist award from the National Science Foundation of China.

The Outstanding Nuclear Physicist award, which recognizes an individual who has made outstanding and sustained contributions in experimental and/or theoretical research related to the nuclear physics program at Jefferson Lab. It will be presented in June during a ceremony at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility in Newport News, VA.

The college hosted its annual Academic Festival on May 1, 2015 in the Physical Sciences Complex. Award recipients from physics included Luis Orozco and Mary Sutton.

Luis Orozco, Professor, JQI Fellow and Co-director of the Physics Frontier Center, was awarded the Dean's Outstanding Faculty Award. Orozco is cited for his indispensable and incomparable leadership of the National Science Foundation-sponsored Physics Frontier Center at JQI. An internationally recognized scholar in fundamental quantum sciences, he is a dedicated mentor, educator and teacher.

Mary Sutton, Program Management Specialist, recieved the Dean's Outstanding Employee Award.Sutton plays a critical role in ensuring the success of Professor Jim Gates’ many national and international activities and responsibilities. She is particularly noted for her efficient coordination and liaison efforts with the White House, federal government and state agencies.

View the full list of award recipients at: http://cmns.umd.edu/news-events/features/2995

Gretchen Campbell has been selected as a 2015 Finalist for the Service to America Medal. The highly respected honor highlights dedicated federal workers who have made significant contributions to our country.

Campbell, an Adjunct Assistant Professor, is recognized for advancing the emerging field of physics known as atomtronics.

View her award profile at: servicetoamericamedals.org/honorees/view_profile.php?profile=398