Thursday, March 12th 2009

By heather herda

Professor John Berlinsky of McMaster University has been named the Academic Program Director for Canada’s Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics.

Berlinsky has been a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at McMaster University since 1986. Berlinsky’s other achievements include becoming a member of McMaster’s Board of Governors and, next year, becoming the president of the Faculty Association. Berlinsky will continue to work at McMaster University for two days a week, while working at Perimeter for the remaining three work days.

The Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics was founded in 2000 by Michael Lazaridis, Co-CEO of Research in Motion, after he donated a million dollars to the independent research institute. Research in motion are also known for inventing the Black Berry. Perimeter is devoted to physics research in the fields of particle physics, quantum foundations and gravity, cosmology, quantum information theory and superstring theory.

Perimeter’s new Director, Neil Turok, decided that the Perimeter was missing an important aspect – graduate students. Turok set up the Perimeter Scholars International program, which is a one-year Masters program for university graduates, and asked Berlinsky if he would join as Academic Program Director.

As Academic Program Director, Berlinsky will be in charge of developing educational partnerships with other institutions worldwide, as well as managing the courses at Perimeter.

Berlinsky’s first goal is to organize the Perimeter Scholars International (PSI) program. He is in charge of setting up staff, facilities and choosing students, which will be a daunting task. “Right now,” Berlinsky says, “we are sorting through about 202 student applications for 25 slots.” Perimeter also provides flights to the school, housing, food and tuition for students.

Graduate students have applied from universities all over the world in programs such as math, physics and engineering. Most of these students were at the top of their graduating class and have been involved in previous summer research projects. Berlinsky predicts many will go on to study their PhD after leaving Perimeter.

The PSI program, Berlinsky points out, is not based on grades, “Each student is evaluated on a continuous basis by professors and tutors. There are no examinations and no marks. The classes are either pass, fail, or pass with distinction.” Students who attend 20 three-week courses and complete PSI will receive a Master of Science degree in Physics from the University of Waterloo.

Other staff at Perimeter include McMaster professor Cliff Burgess who is an Associate Member, associate professor Kari Dalnoki-Veress who will teach Research Skills, and Stephen Hawking, who is a Distinguished Research Chair and will visit Perimeter for one to two months each year.

Tags: Berlinsky, Perimeter Institute, Perimeter Scholars International Program