Research Centers and Clubs
Research Centers
The Department Research Program has three goals:
• Promote, facilitate and integrate faculty and cadet research across the department
• Connect IAD(A) research (away game) with continued work at USMA (home game)
• Leverage three centers of excellence, tremendous Title 10 civilian faculty experience, and collaborations with DoD/DoE/University laboratories for cutting-edge opportunities ranging from fundamental science to applied DoD research
These goals are primarily accomplished through the activities of our three affiliated research centers.
Nuclear Science and Engineering Research Center (NSERC)
The Nuclear Science and Engineering Research Center is a Defense Threat Reduction Agency activity located at West Point that boasts two full time research officers and a state of the art nuclear detection laboratory, as well as conferencing and computing facilities.
Point of Contact - MAJ Sean Barbaras, 845-938-0094
Space and Missile Defense Command Research and Analysis Center SMDC-RAC
The Space and Missile Defense Command Research and Analysis Center is an SMDC activity with one full time researcher who coordinates interdisciplinary activities across many departments at West Point in support of space operations, geospatial information systems, and missile and missile defense related science and engineering. The center’s mission is to promote and facilitate USMA cadet and faculty research in support of the US Army Space and Missile Defense Command objectives; enhance the professional development of the USMA faculty; and inspire cadets through Space and Missile Defense education and research to face technical challenges with confidence.
Point of Contact - LTC Sam Amber, 845-938-2152
Photonics Research Center (PRC)
Our original research center, the Photonics Research Center of Excellence, is a cooperative venture between ourselves, the Departments of Chemistry and Life Science and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, the Army Research Office, and the Army Research Laboratory. The PRC also serves as a conduit for research at West Point into laser and photonics applications for other DoD agencies.
Point of Contact - MAJ Karl Ludeman, 845-938-0184
Clubs
Astronomy Club
The Astronomy Club observes astronomical phenomena and studies celestial objects through modern techniques and with newly developed technology. The jewel of the club is the automated 8” Meade LX=200 Schmidt-Casegrain telescope. Many solar system planets as well as stars and galaxies are observed in the Cadet Observatory, located on the roof of Bartlett Hall.
Point of Contact - Dr. Paula Fekete, 845-938-4545
Point of Contact - , 845-938-7907
Society of Physics Students
The West Point chapter of the National Society of Physics Students is a national professional physics association explicitly designed for students. Membership is open to anyone interested in physics. Members have taken trip sections to Boston, NYC, and Washington D.C. to museums, planetariums and laboratories. Every year, several highly deserving cadets are selected for membership in Sigma Pi Sigma, the National Honor Society within the Society of Physics Students.
Point of Contact - Dr. Michael Pfenning, 845-938-6468
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