New for 2024! The Symposia Day will now be held on the Wednesday of Congress week.
Focused symposia offers the opportunity for a mini-meeting within the general Congress umbrella that helps support physics research in Canada by providing an opportunity for networking and collaboration within focused research areas. Each symposium will be made up of 4 sessions and the whole day will be scheduled in one room with coffee nearby to encourage networking. There are no plenary speakers or other events scheduled during the day to interrupt the mini-meeting. The symposia sessions will be followed by the annual CAP Recognition Dinner.
There are currently seven symposia being planned for Wednesday. They include an exciting lineup of invited and contributed talks. Abstracts can be submitted to a symposium by selecting the symposium track when you submit your abstract (opening January 12, 2024). Delegates who wish to attend only the Symposia Day can do so.
If you have questions about a symposium, or if you submitted an abstract but didn’t select the symposium track, and you would like to present in the symposium, please contact programs@cap.ca. Here is the list of the planned symposia:
Building Communities of Practice for EDI and Outreach (DGEP/DPE/EDI) – We welcome you to join a unique symposium, where we will break from convention with an unconferencing style to explore Building Communities of Practice for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and Outreach in Physics. This event invites students, postdocs, faculty, and professionals alike to exchange insights, showcase best (and wise) practices, and celebrate grassroots EDI efforts within the physics community. Through participant-driven facilitated discussions, we will co-create an agenda that shares resources and fosters connections, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity. With discussions covering strategies for EDI initiatives, decolonization efforts, reaching under-served communities, and impactful outreach and informal education, this symposium offers a space to learn, inspire, and connect as we work towards a more equitable and diverse future in Canadian physics. Organizers: John Donohue (jdonohue@uwaterloo.ca), Carolyn Sealfon (carolyn.sealfon@ronininstitute.org), Alexandra Pedersen (Alexandra.pedersen@queensu.ca), and Mark Richardson (mark.richardson@queensu.ca)
Computational Advances in Astrophysics and Cosmology (DTP & DNP) – We are currently in a golden age of cosmology, astrophysics and nuclear physics, with observatories and facilities regularly delivering exciting new results that challenge our understanding of the fundamental physics of the universe. At the same time, advances in data processing and simulation are absolutely crucial to interpret and understand the implications of these results. This symposium will focus on those computational advances, their results and their implications for fundamental physics. Organizers: Ivan Booth (ibooth@mun.ca), Thanassis Psaltis (psaltis.tha@duke.edu)
Dark Matter and Neutrinos (PPD) – One of the biggest open mysteries of particle physics is the fundamental nature of dark matter. At the same time, the neutrino sector hints at new physics beyond the Standard Model. Canada is host to several experiments and theoretical physicists that are working to shed light on both of these problems. This symposium will bring together the experimental and theoretical physicists working in this area to discuss recent developments and inspire further collaboration. Organizers: Seyda Ipek (sipek@physics.carleton.ca)
Q-STATE: Quantum Science, Technology, Applications, Training, and Education (DQI/DPE) —Q-STATE, offered through the Division of Quantum Information (DQI) in collaboration with the Division of Physics Education (DPE) and the Private Sector Relations Committee, is an event by and for the CAP community to learn about current directions in the field and the unique Canadian quantum landscape. This symposium will consist of sessions about the following topics:
– Updates on Canada’s National Quantum Strategy and related programs
– Quantum education and training at Canadian universities and for the quantum workforce
– The Canadian quantum industry: Activities, needs, and opportunities
All sessions will be at a level accessible to the quantum-curious and will encourage questions and discussions. We will wrap up with a Social celebrating the establishment of the DQI, with opportunities for entangling, networking and brainstorming. Organizers: Daria Ahrensmeier (daria_ahrensmeier@sfu.ca), Olivia Di Matteo (olivia@ece.ubc.ca)
Plasma Physics and Technology (DPP) — Plasma physics and technology is set out to change how we live. For example, plasmas are used for dry reforming of CO2 and for the generation of renewable fuels and green fertilizers. Plasmas can remove forever chemicals and plasma reactors for fusion-based energy promise to be the source of green energy. The symposium will present recent advances in plasma physics research in plasma modelling, diagnostics, and reactor design of thermal and non-thermal plasmas. Organizers: Stephan Reuter (Stephan.Reuter@polymtl.ca), Amina Hussein (aehussein@ualberta.ca)
Medical Imaging (MRI, PET, X-Ray & CT, US, Optics, and hybrid modalities) (DPMB/DAPI) — Medical imaging encompasses a family of techniques that can generate visual representation of structures and functions inside the body without invasive procedures. These techniques include X-rays, Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Ultrasound, Optics (e.g., OCT), and Nuclear Medicine (e.g., SPECT and PET). Medical imaging has significantly improved healthcare by enhancing diagnostic capabilities, guiding treatment intervention, and even predicting patient outcome. Physics shaped the past, continues to impact the present, and will likely drive future advancements in medical imaging. For instance, understanding quantum mechanics and the physics of magnetic resonance have been crucial in the development and refinement of MRI. The 2024 symposium of the Division of Physics in Medicine & Biology (DPMB) of the CAP will bring together experts to discuss recent and fresh topics in medical imaging, and explore exciting new developments that have the potential to impact human development and wellbeing. Organizers: Mamadou Diop (mdiop@uwo.ca), Maria Kilfoil (mlkilfoil@upei.ca)
Fluctuations, interactions and Disorder in Condensed Matter (DCMMP) – Quantum many-body physics provides tools that allow us to study phenomena that appear as emergent properties in correlated systems. Seeking universality in these emergent properties helps us make connections between observable effects in different materials and systems. In recent years, the interplay of many-body effects with topology and criticality has led to many interesting findings on this front. In this symposium, we highlight interesting progress in these areas on experimental, theoretical and computational fronts. Organizer: Tami Pereg-Barnea (tamipb@physics.mcgill.ca)
Private Sector Physics Symposium (DPSR/DPA) – Over 75% of physics graduates work outside academia. Young physicists, or those interested in learning about physics career paths outside academia, are encouraged to attend this interactive symposium, which will provide insights into the careers of physicists working outside academia and offer insights and advice into the possible pathways and training needed to transition your physics training into an engaging and rewarding career outside of academia. Included in the symposium day schedule is an interactive Panel Session, hosted by the Dir. of Private Sector Physics, where you can learn more about the people and their careers as private sector physicists. Organizers: Ian D’Souza (ian.a.dsouza@gmail.com), Daniel Cluff (daniel.cluff@deepmining.ca) and Steffon Luoma (luoma@live.ca).