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Infectious diseases, in which pathogens invade and colonize host cells, are responsible for one third of all mortality worldwide.  Host cells use special proteins (immunoproteins) and other molecules to fight viral and bacterial invaders.  The mechanisms by which immunoproteins enable cells to reduce bacterial loads and survive infections remained unclear until some physicists and biologists teamed up to unravel the mystery. They found that cells, amazingly, alter their physical properties (precisely, their stiffness) in a manner that reduces bacterial burden.

Physics graduate student Barak Gruberg was one of 11 students selected for an exchange program high energy nuclear physics research in Italy this summer. He will be working in Turin. This opportunity is jointly funded by the US Department of Energy and the Istituto Nazionale de Fisica Nucleare (INFN).

Gintaras Duda has been named the CASE publication US Professor of the Year for 2013.

Our Chapter of the Society of Physics Students has been designated honorable mention and named a

2012-2013 Distinguished SPS Chapter

by the Society of Physics Students (www.spsnational.org), an organization of the American Institute of Physics. This is an outstanding recognition of the leadership and activities of the Physics Club members during the 2012-2013 year, together with a strong report put together by the 2013-2014 Physics Club officers.

"The U.S. Professors of the Year awards program celebrates outstanding instructors across the country. Sponsored by CASE and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, it is the only national program to recognize excellence in undergraduate education."

Matt Armbruster was awarded FIRST place at the student programming competition that took place at the 2013 XSEDE conference in San Diego, California. This was a very exciting moment and a recognition of Matt's strong programming skills. Matt has been doing research with the Computational Molecular Biophysics for two years and will be finishing his master's studies by May 2014. If you see Matt around, congratulate him for his achievement!

Creighton's Energy Technology Program is featured in an article in Today's Omaha World Herald on sustainability in higher education.  The article features photos from Dr. Baruth's materials science class, ERG 251.

Our own Kristina Ward, senior and president of the Physics Club, received the Excellence in Organizational Leadership Award given out by the Student Activities Office to someone who excels at leading their organization. Kristina, with her diligence and strong organizational skills, was instrumental in leading the Physics Club toward a welcoming organization that capitalizes on each students' strengths to deliver successful events. Great, Kristina!!

Matt Armbruster, graduate student and senior member of the Computational Molecular Biophysics research group, was awarded a very competitive full scholarship to attend the 2013 Open Science Grid User School and XSEDE13 Conference. Fabulous opportunity to get trained into the forefront of high performance computing techniques and technologies. Great, Matt!