Session E1: Plenary Session II

Alien Worlds

Can we find another Earth? Is there life elsewhere in the Universe? How can we find another Earth and decide whether it hosts life? If it's advanced life, could we communicate with it? With the rapid pace of discovery, within our solar system and without, scientists are developing new and exciting answers to these questions. In this presentation, I will discuss a little of the history and science behind planetary exploration and the search for extraterrestrial life. I will also focus on my own group's research into ultra-short-period planets, roughly Earth-sized bodies but some with orbital periods of only hours, shorter than feature-length films. So close to their host stars that some of them are actively disintegrating, these objects' origins remain unclear. Some are members of multi-planet systems and may have been driven inward via secular excitation and tidal damping by their sibling planets. Others may be the fossil cores of former gas giants whose atmospheres were stripped by tides. Our research group is currently sifting data from the reincarnated Kepler Mission, K2, to find additional short-period planets and applying sophisticated astrophysical model to explore the effects of tidal decay and disruption. Whatever their origins, short-period planets are particularly amenable to discovery and detailed follow-up by ongoing and future surveys, including the TESS mission, and to assess the natures and potential habitability of Earth-like planets, we need a fuller understanding of the origins and evolution of even these strange and unexpected planetary systems.   

Searches for Dark Matter and other new physics with the ATLAS detector

Abstract not available.   

From Imaging to Treatment - medical isotopes at TRIUMF

TRIUMF has a long history of medical isotope production. The Life Science Division produces PET tracers for the local hospitals for over 40 years. Recently, we have taken on the challenge to expand our isotope repertoire. Next to the more traditional PET isotopes F-18 and C-11, we are producing radiometals (Tc-94m, Sc-44, Y-86, Zr-89, Ga-68, Cu-61) in liquid targets on our 13MeV cyclotron. These radiometals are now available on short notice without a solid target infrastructure, and greatly advance research in radiochemistry. Additional efforts at 19--24 MeV have established an alternative production method for Tc-99m, bypassing the need for nuclear reactors and with it highly enriched uranium targets. The team has demonstrated 15 Ci production on a small 19 MeV cyclotron, enough to supply the Greater Vancouver area with Tc-99m. And finally, we utilized the 500 MeV TRIUMF cyclotron to produce alpha emitters which can be used for therapeutic applications utilizing their high LET. So far, At-211 was isolated as a promising alpha-emitter to treat malignancies such as leukemia. The production of Ra-223/224/225, parent isotopes of Ac-225 and Bi-213 with similar applications in targeted alpha-therapy, is also studied.   

Careers in Physics: Thinking Outside the Box

Physics training provides graduates with a diverse set of skills that are deeply anchored in analytical thinking and creative problem solving. These hard to find skills are in high demand in private industry. However, historically physics grads have mostly looked to universities and research institutions as potential future employers. This presentation will discuss how major technology inflection points are providing employment opportunities for physicists that are open to working outside an academic setting.