• 18 March 2026
  • 3:30 EDT
 PIONEER, a next-generation rare pion decay experiment The electron, the first elementary particle to be discovered, holds a unique place in science as it plays a key role in numerous physical phenomena from electricity to chemistry. Its heavier cousins, the muon and tau are at first sight simple copies of the electron: versions of the same particle in a different flavor, governed by the same interaction rules. This fundamental principle of Flavor Universality is a centerpiece of the Standard Model of Particle Physics. PIONEER is a new experiment set to challenge this principle by studying the rarest decays of the charged pion. With this new apparatus, we aim to improve the rare pion decay measurements up to 15-fold over the current ones and probe the Standard Model at energy scales beyond the reach of colliders. Our experiment design benefits from past-generation experiments and employs emergent technologies in tracking and calorimetry. In this talk, I will discuss the physics case of the experiment, review its conceptual design and present the ongoing R&D effort toward building the detector for the first phase of the project.
  • 18 March 2026
  • 5:30 EDT
 Conversation: Music, Science, and Video Games Join us for an engaging discussion that explores the intersections of music, science, and video games. Featuring composer and techno innovator Carl Craig, physicist Pablo Giuliani from the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB), game developer Ryan Thompson, and musician/producer Chris Vrenna (University of Michigan, Nine Inch Nails), this conversation dives into creativity, technology, and interactive media. Moderator Amanda Cote guides the panel through how sound, science, and play inform artistic and experiential practice. Register here: https://113145.blackbaudhosting.com/113145/Conversation-Music-Science-and-Video-GamesUniversity Museum https://113145.blackbaudhosting.com/113145/Conversation-Music-Science-and-Video…
  • 24 March 2026
  • 11:00 EDT
 Nuclear Lattice Effective Field Theory: From Chiral EFT to Nuclear Structure and Reactions Nuclear Lattice Effective Field Theory (NLEFT) is a framework for performing ab-initio calculations of nuclear structure and reactions. In this approach, nuclear forces derived from chiral effective field theory (EFT) are formulated on a periodic cubic lattice. Observables are computed using stochastic, non-perturbative methods such as auxiliary-field quantum Monte Carlo simulations. This powerful framework provides a quantum many-body approach with remarkable predictive power. In this talk, I will provide an overview of NLEFT, emphasizing its crucial role in bridging the gap between quantum chromodynamics (QCD) and low-energy nuclear phenomena. Additionally, I will discuss recent developments, including a novel method called wavefunction matching, and present state-of-the-art ab-initio calculations of nuclear structure, scattering, and reaction processes.
  • 27 March 2026
  • 3:00 EDT
 Transforming the BNL 200 MeV H- LINAC: 1000x Lower Losses, 2x High-current Transmission, and 2x Lower Emittance TThe Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) 200 MeV H⁻ Drift Tube Linac (DTL) operates at 6.67 Hz, delivering beams for the polarized proton program at RHIC and for isotope production at the Brookhaven Linac Isotope Producer (BLIP). Over the past two decades, a series of targeted upgrades—particularly in the low- and medium-energy beam transport lines (LEBT and MEBT)—have substantially improved linac performance and operational robustness. High-current transmission for isotope production has more than doubled, while transverse emittance for polarized proton operation has been reduced by approximately a factor of two. In parallel, beam losses have decreased by roughly three orders of magnitude, significantly reducing radiation levels and enabling higher delivered currents. Together, these improvements increase intensity and reliability for BLIP while providing improved beam quality and stability for future accelerator programs, representing a major step forward in long-term linac performance and scientific productivity.
  • 29 March 2026
  • 1:00 EDT
 Advanced Studies Gateway Public talk by Scott Aaronson: Why I think quantum computing works Scott Aaronson, Schlumberger Chair of Computer Science at the University of Texas at Austin and founding director of its Quantum Information Center, will discuss recent experimental breakthroughs that strengthen the case for large-scale quantum computing. A leading theorist and award-winning author, Aaronson studies the fundamental limits and possibilities of quantum computers. https://frib.msu.edu/public-engagement/arts-and-activities-at-frib/advanced-stu…
  • 8 April 2026
  • 7:00 EDT
 MSUFCU Arts Power Up Artists in Residence in Conversation MSUFCU Arts Power Up artists-in-residence Carl Craig and Cecilie Waagner Falkenstrom come together for a conversation exploring art, technology, and creative practice. Moderated by Sophia Saliby of WKAR, the discussion offers insight into how artists working across disciplines imagine and shape the future. April 8, 2026. 7:00 to 8:00 PM MSU Broad Art Museum (547 East Circle Drive, East Lansing, MI, 48824) Registration: https://50807.blackbaudhosting.com/50807/ARTIST-TALKS-MSUFCU-Arts-Power-Up-Residency https://50807.blackbaudhosting.com/50807/ARTIST-TALKS-MSUFCU-Arts-Power-Up-Resi…
  • 1 May 2026
  • 5:30 EDT
 Advanced Studies Gateway Concert: Whoa Nelly Trio The Whoa Nelly Trio brings an evening of folk, country, Americana, roots, and gospel music to FRIB, blending traditional influences with original songs. https://frib.msu.edu/public-engagement/arts-and-activities-at-frib/advanced-stu…
  • 8 July 2026 – 17 July 2026
 DRD1 Gaseous Detectors School The 2026 DRD1 Gaseous Detectors School will be held at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) on the campus of Michigan State University (MSU) in East Lansing, Michigan, USA, from July 8 to July 17, 2026. This school will focus on state-of-the-art gaseous detector technologies, including Micro-Pattern Gaseous Detectors (MPGDs), (Multi-)Resistive Plate Chambers ((M)RPCs), and wire-based detectors. The program will feature morning lectures by leading international experts, covering a broad range of topics such as the fundamentals of gas detector physics, detector technologies, simulation and modeling, readout systems, manufacturing methods, and applications. Afternoon sessions will be dedicated to hands-on training with various detector technologies, emphasizing practical techniques and methodologies. The school is primarily intended for Ph.D. students and early-career scientists with a strong interest in gaseous detectors or plans to enter the field. Participants will also have the opportunity to present their research during a dedicated poster session. Student registration is free, but participants are responsible for their own travel, lodging, and personal expenses. Admission to the school is limited to ensure an effective learning environment. https://indico.cern.ch/event/1572535/