2017
Spring 2017 Graduates of the Rehse Group
Congratulations to the latest graduate of the Rehse group. Beau Greaves received his Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Honours Physics (Medical Physics) with Thesis. Beau is off to the University of Guelph to continue his physics studies. We wish Beau all the best in the future and thank him for the great time he put in working in the Rehse Lab. Shown are Beau and Dr. Rehse after the convocation.
Professor Rehse Presents Two Invited Talks at Pittcon, 2017
Professor Rehse gave two invited lectures at the recent Pittcon 2017 Conference in Chicago, IL (March 5th-March 9th, 2017): "The Use of Resonant Laser Pulses for Emission Enhancement in Laser-Induced Plasmas," by Steven J. Rehse, Russell A. Putnam, Dylan J. Malenfant, Beau Greaves and "Bio-LIBS and the Role of Trace Metals When Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy is Used to Study Biological or Biomedical Systems," by Steven J Rehse, Dylan J Malenfant, Vlora A Riberdy, Alexandra E Paulick, Siddharth Doshi, and Christopher J Frederickson. Both of the talks may be viewed by clicking on the title.
Federal Agency Renews Funding of Professor Rehse's Program for 5-Years
The Canadian federal agency tasked with funding the majority of Physics research in Canada, the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), has renewed the funding for Professor Rehse through a 5-year Discovery Grant worth $150,000. The grant entitled “Spectroscopy of Laser-Induced Plasmas: An Interdisciplinary Research Program for the 21st Century” will enable fundamental research, help to support students, and allow travel to both domestic and international conferences. This award will run from April 1, 2017 through March 31, 2022.
2016
Congratulations to Dylan Malenfant, our newest M.Sc.
Congratulations to the latest graduate of the Rehse Group, Mr. Dylan Malenfant who successfully defended his Master's Thesis, "Influences on the Emissions of Bacterial Plasmas Generated through Nanosecond Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy." Dylan is on his way to pursue a Ph.D. in Physics at McMaster University. Shown above is Dylan recieving his degree at the Fall 2016 Convocation from President and vice-Chancellor Dr. Alan Wildeman.
Dylan Malenfant and Professor Rehse Attend CAP Congress in Ottawa.
From June 13-17, over 600 Canadian and International physicists convened in Ottawa, Ontario to discuss the latest developments in physics. Dylan presented a poster of their work entitled, "Alteration of Bacterial Cell Elemental Concentrations by Environmental Influences as Determined by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy" at Tuesday evening's poster session. Shown are the two after the poster session. At the conference, the attendees were welcomed by Canada's Governor General and were entertained by Canada's newest Nobel Laureate in Physics, Professor Art McDonald.
2015
Professor Rehse Helps Organize Session/Presents at Pacifichem 2015 in Hawai'i
Professor Rehse and co-organizers J. Almirall, Y. Deguchi, A. Miziolek, and Z. Wang organized a symposium at the recent Pacifichem 2015 Congress. The session entitled "Analytical Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for Hazard Analysis, Forensics, and Health" featured two oral sessions and a poster session.
Shown is a traditional Hawaiian greeting to the delegates of the Congress at the opening cermeony.
Professor Rehse presented an invited oral presentation, "Progress and challenges in using LIBS for bacteriological identification."
Shown is Professor Rehse outside the poster exhibition hall.
The CAP Congress 2015 in Edmonton, AB. June 15-19.
Professor Rehse and students Dylan Malenfant, Anthony Piazza, and Vloray Riberdy all presented research at the 51st Annual Congress of the Canadian Association of Physicists. The group spent an intense week learning about all the newest advances in Canadian Physics and their presentations can all be found under the "Conferences & Presentations".
Shown is the group (with graduate student Chris DiLoreto) enjoying a little time outside before the sessions start by analyzing the higher mathematics of euchre...
... polishing off a huge tray of meat at a delicious BBQ restaurant in Edmonton...
... and attending the Conference recognition ceremony at the Edmonton Art Gallery.
Professor Rehse Attends Pittcon Conference
He was an invited speaker at the 2015 Pittcon Conference and Expo in New Orleans, LA giving an update on the status of the project to exploit laser-induced breakdown spectroscpy for rapid pathogen identification. Pittcon is the the world’s largest annual conference and exposition for laboratory science and attracts scientists and companies from all over the globe. Shown is Professor Rehse on the expo floor with the conference representative, Dr. Pete Conn.
2014
Professor Rehse was honored along with other colleagues on Friday, January 24, 2014 at the 14th Annual Faculty of Science Celebration of Success
He was one of two recipients of the distinguished 2013 Roger Thibert Teaching Excellence Award, as well as a 2013 Faculty Performance Award. Shown is Dr. Rehse with the teaching excellence award being congratulated by Dr. Chitra Rangan, Head of the Department of Physics, and Dr. Marlys Koschinsky, Dean of Science.
Four Undergraduate Medical Physics students are working in the Rehse lab this year as part of the Outstanding Scholars program. Third year student Derek Gillies returns after serving a co-op placement at the Windsor Regional Cancer Centre.
Second year students Anthony Piazza, Vlora Riberdy, and Cyrus Cerkauskas are just beginning the research mentorship component of the program.
Congratulations to Russell Putnam for Successfully Defending His M.Sc. Thesis
Graduate student Russell Putnam defended his thesis, "Recent Advances in the Measurement of Rare-Earth metal Transition Probabilities Using Laser-Induced Plasmas," on Wednesday, December 3, 2014. Shown is Russell after the defense with his thesis committee consisting of Dr. Rehse, Professor Ian Samson (Earth and Environmental Science) and Professor Wladisaw Kedzierski (Physics). Congratulations to Russell on a job very well done!
Putnam and Rehse attend National Physicists Congress
Congratulations to graduate student Russell Putnam. At the recent 50th Annual Congress of the Canadian Association of Physicists (CAP) in Sudbury, Ontario Russell placed first overall in the Plasma Physics Division student oral presentation for his talk, “Recent Advances in the Measurement of Rare-Earth Metal Oscillator Strengths Using Laser-Induced Plasmas.”
As the winner of his division, Russell was recognized at the Thursday evening banquet festivities (above) along with graduate student Chris Diloreto (Division of Atomic and Molecular Physics) and competed in the Congress-wide overall student presentation competition on Friday morning (he is shown delivering this lecture at left).
Dr. Rehse presented a poster at the Wednesday evening poster session and delivered a lecture on Tuesday morning on the subject of helping physics undergraduate students prepare for a non-academic career in medical physics.
Professor Rehse Explains Lightsabers. "All cut, no parry."
Research Matters is traveling across the province to ask Ontarians to tell them the questions they’ve always wanted to have answered.
Participants get their photo snapped at the Curiosity Shop and their question is answered by an Ontario researcher. Describing his participation in this program - and his view on lightsabers - Dr. Rehse was featured prominently in an article which appeared in the Toronto Sun on May 11, 2014.
Professor Rehse answers a question by a child names James: “How could you make a real lightsaber?” To learn more, or to hear the Physics Department's very own Dr. WIlliam McConkey explain, “What the universe is expanding into,” visit the Curiosity Shop.
Professor Rehse visits Holy Cross Catholic School 4th Graders
On Friday February 28, he visited with approximately seventy 4th grade science students in the classes of Jeanine Foreman and Connie John. Top left: Dr. Rehse with some of these "future physicists". Bottom left: Dr. Rehse interacting with young aspiring "physicists".
2013
Putnam and Rehse Attend Inaugural LIBS-URT (Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy in Undergraduate Research & Teaching) Conference at Juniata College in Pennsylvania
On November 15th and 16th 2013, Russell Putnam and Professor Rehse attended a workshop at Juniata College in Huntingdon, PA. This workshop brought together students, academics, and industry professionals to discuss how the LIBS technique can be integrated into undergraduate research and teaching labs/classes, primarily at undergraduate institutions. To see a version of Prof. Rehse's presentation, browse through the "Conferences & Presentations".
Rehse and Putnam Attend National Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Conference in Milwaukee
From September 29th to October 4th 2013, Dr. Rehse and MSc student Russell Putnam attended the 4th national meeting of the North American Society for Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (NASLIBS), which was held as part of the SciX2013 conference (along with the Society for Applied Spectroscopy National Meeting and the 40th Annual North American meeting of FACSS). This conference was held at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Russell presented an oral presentation and two poster presentations and won two awards; Professor Rehse presented an invited talk at a session he co-organized and chaired on "Biological Applications of LIBS." You can read more about this below and see copies of all of our presentations under the link at the left. The conference brought together international experts in the fields of spectroscopy and applied analytical chemistry. Shown are Putnam and Rehse outside the conference exhibition hall, where vendors from all over the world displayed the latest technology in the fields of lasers and spectroscopy.
MSc student Russell Putnam (BSc UWindsor Physics, 2013) won two awards at the recent SciX 2013 Conference held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA: a Society for Applied Spectroscopy Student Travel Award and a NASLIBS Student Poster Award for his poster, “Oscillator Strength Measurements in Lanthanides and Transition Metals Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy.” Below is Russell receiving his award from Conference Chair Jose Almirall.Graduate student Russell Putnam is working on his M.Sc. degree after working in the Rehse group for two years. He is studying the use of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy to make laboratory astrophysics "branching ratio measurements" in lanthanide elements, like neodymium which is present in overabundance in some very old galactic halo and "chemically peculiar" stars.
Ph.D. student Hanieh Afkhamiardakani joined the Rehse group in February of 2013 and will carry on the group's work on LIBS-based pathogen identification.
Undergraduate Medical Physics student Derek Gillies is a second year Outstanding Scholars student. He is participating in the bacterial identification project, working to continue the work of Andrew Daabous to develop new substrates upon which the bacteria can be mounted and tested. Here he works in the group's biosafety cabinet to mount bacteria on his agar slides. Derek will be working at the Windsor Regional Cancer Centre on a medical physics internship this summer.
Fourth year student Russell Putnam is again working in the Rehse group this year for his co-op placement. Russell has ben a co-author on two publications describing the analysis of Raman spectroscopy data and laser-induced breakdown spetroscopy data during his time in Rehse lab, and was the "first author" on the latest publication of the group in Spectrochimica Acta part B. In addition, he presented his research results at the Western University Physics Undergraduate Conference (pictured).
Physics Department Helps Showcase Research at Devonshire Mall
A group of dedicated researchers gathered at Devonshire Mall on Saturday, April 27th, 2013 to highlight the importance of University of Windsor research activities to the general public. Shown are the Physics representatives who worked the "morning shift" from 10-1.
Dr. Rehse helps 5 year-old Tesko Chaganti view individual colours from one beam of light by using a handheld spectrometer. The annual University of Windsor Research Showcase and Outreach Community Event was held at Devonshire Mall.
Russell Putnam and Dr. Rehse speak at Western University Physics Undergraduate Conference
On April 9, 2013, Dr. Rehse and 4th-year student Russell Putnam (shown at right during his lecture) travelled to London, Ontario to speak at the Western PHUNC (Physics Undergraduate Conference). Along with 14 other students, renowned physicists Dr. Adrian Owen of Western University and Dr. Robert Boyd of the University of Ottawa and The University of Rochester spoke at the event.
Professor Rehse Recognized at UWindsor Award for Excellence in Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity
On February 28, 2013, Dr. Michael Siu, the UWindsor Vice-President, Research, recognized two of our faculty with Special Honors. Associate Professor Elena Maeva was recognized for a FedDev/Ontario Brain Institute Award and Assistant Professor Steve Rehse was recognized for a Canada Foundation for Innovation - Leaders Opportunity Fund award. Shown is Dr. Rehse with University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Alan Wildeman.
Some "light conversation" with Dan Riskin: Professor Rehse to discuss LED "light-emitting diode" technology on Daily Planet
Dr. Rehse has filmed his third segment as a guest on the Discovery Channel's Daily Planet television program (weeknights at 7:00 p.m.) On April 3rd, 2013 he filmed a segment describing the properties of LED's that allow them to change colors when bathed in an ultra-cold liquid nitrogen bath. The date of the airing of this demonstration has not yet been determined.
Professor Rehse Makes Ballons Explode on Daily Planet, National TV Show, to Demonstrate Laser Medical Procedures
Professor Rehse (right) travelled once again to the Toronto studios of the Discovery Channel's Daily Planet to film a segment with co-host Ziya Tong (left). In the segment, he used balloons-within-balloons to demonstrate how a laser can be used to remove tattoos or permanently remove hair.
2010
Professor Rehse participates in Congressional Briefing!
On Nov. 30, 2010, Prof. Rehse, along with a panel of distinguished experts, gave a briefing to the House of Representatives Science and Technology Committee staffers on the modern applications of lasers for security and safety at the Brayburn House Office Building in Washington DC. This briefing was sponsored jointly by the Optical Society of America and the American Chemical Society as part of “LaserFest” – celebrating 50 years of the laser.
2012
Professor Rehse Receives a 2012 Faculty of Science Performance Award
On Friday November 23, 2012, Professor Rehse received a Faculty Performance Award from the Dean of Science, Dr. Marlys Koschinsky, for excellence in teaching, research, and service.
Bacterial Identification Discussed in Windsor Lance
On Tuesday November 6, 2012, Professor Rehse and Derek Gillies appeared in the University of Windsor's student newspaper, the Lance, to discuss the LIBS bacterial identification project.
Professor Rehse Presents at the Annual Canadian Association of Physicists Congress in Calgary, Alberta, June 11-15, 2012
Attended by approximately 400 physicists Canada-wide, Professor Rehse presented research results on the use of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy to both identify bacteria and to make fundamental measurements in the atoms and ions that astronomers see in stars! To review the presentation highlights, visit the "Conferences & Presentations".
Graduate students needed!
Professor Rehse travelled to the Vancouver Canadian Undergraduate Physics Conference (CUPC2012) to recruit graduate students for his research group and the Department of Physics. He is actively looking for graduate students right now! Interested in graduate work with Dr. Rehse? Email him today!
The LIBS method that Professor Rehse uses to detect bacteria is blasting rocks on Mars!
On August 19th, 2012, the Mars Science Laboratory rover "Curiosity" fired its LIBS laser for the first time, drilling into ancient Martian rock!
This application is described in detail in an exciting cover story in the January issue of Optics & Photonics News!
Review paper on biomedical applications of LIBS cited as "most read" by journal
One of our recent articles, published in the Journal of Medical Engineering and Technology (March 2012) has been listed at their website (maintained by informa healthcare) as the "most read" manuscript from that issue.
Windsor school's robotics team "runs" with the Rehse idea
The Bellewood Public School robotics team recently placed in the top five at a provincial robotics competition. The group came up with the idea of using lasers to zap bacteria after reading about the research of University of Windsor physicist Dr. Steven Rehse, who does work with lasers and bacteria. Read more in the January 23rd Windsor Star.
Professor Rehse to talk about his work on CJAM, UWindsor Radio
Steven Rehse will appear Thursday, January 5th, on Research Matters on CJAM 99.1 FM at 4:30 p.m. to discuss his current research and describe the upcoming public lecture.
Professor Rehse to give public lecture to the Windsor Humanist Society. A Public Lecture, open to all!
- WHAT: An open to the public lecture sponsored by the Windsor Humanist Society
- TITLE: "Using Lasers to Detect and Identify Bacteria: An Interdisciplinary Project,"
- WHEN: Monday, January 16, 2012 at 7 p.m.
- WHERE: The United Way Centre, corner of Giles and McDougall and the time is 7 p.m.
- ADDITIONAL: Parking is in the back and the conference room is the closest to Giles Blvd. entering through the back door.
Undergraduate Physics & High Technology student Russell Putnam is serving a co-op placement in the Rehse lab. He is assisting Dr. Caleb Ryder in the analysis of LIBS data taken on 6 different elements to prepare this data for publication in a variety of journals. In addition he is assembling and setting up a vacuum apparatus to reinitiate these studies at the University of Windsor.
Physics undergraduate Ryan Woodman is putting the finishing touches on Raman spectroscopy data which shows that pathogenic E. coli can be easily discriminated from non-pathogenic strains of E. coli by virtue of their Raman signatures. This data will be submitted for publication once Ryan finishes analyzing it.
Physicist Daniel Trojiand (B.Sc. Windsor; M.Sc. McGill) is spending the summer prior to starting teaching college in Windsor using his knowledge of experimental apparatus to design and build entirely new apparatus for both experiments being conducted in the lab.
Professor Rehse Appears on Daily Planet, National TV Show, to Promote Science Rendezvous
Professor Rehse (left) and third-year Biotechnology student Florida Doci (right) appeared with Dan Riskin in Toronto on the set of Discovery Channel’s Daily Planet Tuesday, May 8, 2012 to help promote this year’s Science Rendezvous event to be held on May 12 - along with a little help from a Fire Tornado (below)!
2011
Undergraduate Outstanding Scholars student Andrew Daabous has joined the group Fall of 2011. He is working on a comparison of chemometric techniques used to identify bacteria from LIBS spectra and on new ways to mount bacterial specimens prior to LIBS ablation.
Undergraduate Outstanding Scholars student Russell Putnam has joined the group Fall of 2011. He is working on data analysis techniques to improve improving the discrimination of E. coli specimens with Raman spectroscopy.
Undergraduate Medical Physics major Khadija Sheikh worked on a project this summer (leading to an Applied Optics manuscript!) to investigate computerized chemometric techniques for the discrimination of bacteriological samples.
Khadija was able to present some of these results at the Canadian Undergraduate Physics Conference in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Her poster was entitled "Laser-Based Identification of Bacteria Using Discriminant Function Analysis."
Professor Rehse describes his work for the Science City Cafe
On October 19th, 2011, Prof. Rehse gave a free public lecture to an audience at the Canada South Science City (in Windsor) as part of their Science Cafe series of lectures.
Federal Agency Funds Professor Rehse's Program for 5-Years
The Canadian federal agency tasked with funding the majority of Physics research in Canada, the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), has funded Professor Rehse through a 5-year Discovery Grant worth $160,000. The grant entitled “Spectroscopy of Laser-Induced Plasmas: An Interdisciplinary Research Program for the 21st Century” will enable fundamental research, help to support students, and allow travel to both domestic and international conferences.
Professor Rehse describes his work for the Windsor Star
On October 13th, 2011, Prof. Rehse discussed his work to use lasers to rapidly identify pathogenic bacteria with the Windsor Star newspaper.
Professor Rehse discusses his new research program in the UWindsor Daily News
Professor Rehse welcomed at President's Garden Party. (September, 2011)
On Sept. 14, 2011, UWindsor President Dr. Alan Wildeman welcomed new Faculty to the University. Shown are Drs. Rehse and Wildeman at the event.
At the Garden Party, Dr. Rehse was introduced by the Dean of the Faculty of Science, Dr. Marlys Koschinsky.
From 2008-2011, the Rehse Group consisted primarily of (L to R): Dr. Qassem Mohaidat, Heather Ziola, Dr. Caleb Ryder, and Dr. Khozima Hamasha, Prof. Steve Rehse.
CONGRATULATIONS to Dr. Qassem Mohaidat and Dr. Khozima Hamasha, who defended their Ph.D. dissertations in July of 2011 and Dr. Caleb Ryder, who defended his Ph.D. in December of 2011!
View Dr. Qassem Mohaidat's dissertation
View Dr. Khozima Hamasha's dissertation
2006-2008
(L to R): Caleb Ryder, Steve Rehse, Narmatha Jeyasingham
Narmatha Jeyasingham successfully defended her M.S. dissertation in 2007.
2005-2007
Front Row (L to R): Arathi Padmanabhan, Emmett Brown, Marian Adamson. Back Row (L to R): Steve Rehse, Jonathan Diedrich. Jonathan Diedrich successfully defended his M.S. dissertation in 2007.
Marian Adamson did her undergraduate thesis (granted by BYU) work on "Detection of Trace Metal Contaminants in Model Biological Tissue."