A Kennesaw State transfer student is taking advantage of the opportunities that physics offers

KENNESAW, Georgia | October 25, 2024

Word spread about Kennesaw State University’s Physics Department, and Matthew Garwacke heard it loud and clear.

Last year, the junior physics student transferred to KSU to conduct research with renowned physics researcher Marco Guzzi, and then took advantage of a prestigious research opportunity over the summer, the latest step in his journey.

“I just came across Dr. Guzzi’s website and saw all the interesting research he had done,” Garwacke said. “KSU has a theoretical particle physics group, and no one else in the state does particle theory the way they do here. It’s one of a kind.”

Originally fascinated by the broad discipline of physics through dreams of space exploration, Garwacke’s interests turned to the mathematical side of physics. He is a perfect fit for Guzzi’s undergraduate research group, which focuses on both theoretical and computational aspects of particle physics, and has been successful over the past year.

“I have always been fascinated by the math side because of the way math explains the world so thoroughly,” he said. “Mathematics describes physics as the language of the universe. This is my daily bread, day after day.”

In fact, he spent a summer at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility in Newport News, Virginia, one of a handful of students performing calculations to study the structure of the proton as part of the National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates program. Before coming to J-LAB, Garwacke worked on several particle physics projects, which helped him strengthen his preparation.

Guzzi said Garwacke may set the standard for what physics students can achieve at KSU. Students like him bring their enthusiasm and talent to their research groups and laboratories, quickly gaining skills and knowledge.

“He had the opportunity to interact with senior physicists who work on nuclear theory and hadron phenomenology and at the same time are close to experiments,” Guzzi said. “This is great for students like Matthew who need to learn theoretical concepts and then see how they apply to experimental measurements.”

Garwacke is already considering a project for next summer, although working with Guzzi will keep him busy for the foreseeable future. After transferring in 2023, Garwacke said he appreciated the more personal touch that made KSU’s physics department more important.

“Professors have a much greater ability to work closely with students, and that’s one of the most important aspects of a department – how closely connected and personal it is,” he said. “Professors at KSU, especially in the physics department, care very much about your success. Without Dr. Guzzi’s guidance, I would never have had the experience I had at Jefferson Lab, and I think that’s why our department is so good.”

– Author: Dave Shelles

Photos: Darnell Wilburn Jr.

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