Speakers

Research

Carol Hirschmugl studies the surface physics of adsorbates on epitaxial and bulk oxide systems, focusing on environmentally and technologically relevant problems. Investigative approaches include far and mid-infrared absorption studies and picoampere low energy electron diffraction to study low energy dynamics and structure at aqueous-oxide interfaces. In addition, Hirschmugl developed a rapid chemical imaging technique using infrared imaging microscope coupled to a synchrotron source, which reveals real-time biochemical changes in vivo. This microscope was also critical for the discovery of the first form of solid carbon monoxide, patented Graphene Monoxide, and work continues to develop this material for battery applications.

Biography

Carol Hirschmugl received her BSc in Physics from State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1987 and her Applied Physics PhD from Yale University in 1994. She then received an Alexander von Humboldt grant to do research at Fritz Haber Institut, Berlin, from 1994 to 1996. In 1996, she was awarded the University of California President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship to work at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Since 1997, Hirschmugl has been at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she is a Professor in the Physics Department. She is notable for her research in applications of infrared microspectroscopy to biological specimens and materials science at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and the Synchrotron Radiation Center.

Professor Hirschmugl held visiting scientist positions at ANKA, FZK (Karlsruhe, Germany) in 2004 and at ESRF (Grenoble, France) in 2005, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (Richland, Washington) in 2011-2012. Hirschmugl’s awards include Fellow of the American Vacuum Society “For longstanding instrumental and scientific contributions to synchrotron-based infrared spectroscopy and micro-spectroscopy, including its applications to surface science, materials science, biophysics, and cultural heritage.”

In 2016, Hirschmugl co-founded a start-up company with Professor Josifovska, to commercialize Graphene Monoxide-based COphite anode materials. Hirschmugl is CEO of COnovate (for CO innovation). COnovate’s COphite material has been scaled more than 1 billion-fold since its discovery and has demonstrated superior characteristics for energy storage in lithium ion batteries.

Kyle Marian Viterbo is an engagement producer at Science Friday. She is working to increase opportunities for meaningful connections between our mission and the diverse audiences we serve. As a former physical anthropologist turned science communicator, Kyle loves sharing hilarious stories about human evolution, hidden museum collections, and the many ways Indiana Jones is a terrible archaeologist.

Before joining the SciFri team, Kyle worked with Guerilla Science to bring science experiences to unexpected spaces. She also started “The Symposium: Academic StandUp,” a show and workshop series that uses sharp, socially-mindful comedy to challenge academic norms and champion inclusive science communication.

While gaining an MSc in Science Communication and Public Engagement from the University of Edinburgh, she fell in love with stand-up comedy and has been using it ever since to understand how moments of laughter connect all of us.