(Posted September 11, 2006)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Jim Borgardt, associate professor of physics at Juniata College, will give a talk on "Combating Nuclear Terrorism" as part of the college's Bookend Lecture series at 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 13 in Neff Lecture Hall in the von Liebig Center for Science.
The lecture is free and open to the public. The lecture is part of the Bookend Seminar Lecture Series, which features afternoon lectures each month by Juniata faculty.
Borgardt, who teaches a course at Juniata on "Nuclear Threat," will discuss how experts in nuclear security believe that while the threat of a full-scale nuclear attack is unlikely, the likelihood of an isolated strike using a "dirty bomb" or other devices is higher than ever.
"A nuclear attack using these methods would be seminal in world history," says Borgardt. "Such an attack would cause not only massive loss of life at the site, but would also incur grave damage both in terms of economics and the nation's psyche."
Borgardt will explain why the danger of an isolated attack is greater today and cover what measures are being taken to prevent such an attack. He also will talk about how such an attack might occur.
Jim Borgardt, came to Juniata in 1998 as an assistant professor of physics after working as a faculty lecturer, postdoctoral researcher and graduate assistant at the University of Arizona from 1994 to 1997. His bachelor\'s degree in mathematics and physics is from the University of California-Santa Barbara. Borgardt has started several science-related community outreach programs at Juniata such as "Mall Physics" and "Physics Phun Night."

Borgardt received the Gibbel Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2003 from Juniata College. He also received the Excellence in Teaching Award from the University of Arizona in 1994. He has published articles in a variety of journals, primarily in the area of ion beam analysis and nuclear reactions. He is a member of the American Institute of Physics, the Council on Undergraduate Research and the Philosophy of Science Association.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.