EDUCATION

Postdoctoral Fellow, Princeton Institute for the Science and Technology of Materials (PRISM),  Princeton University, June 2008 – current

Doctor of Philosophy (Candidate), Physics, University at Albany-SUNY, NY , April 2008

Master of Science, Physics, University at Albany-SUNY, NY, 2005

Bachelor of Science, Physics, Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, 2003.

ACADEMIC/TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Research Associate, June 2008 – current  Princeton University, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton, NJ

Lecturer, 2007 - current  University at Albany-SUNY, Department of Physics, Albany, NY

Lecturer, 2005 - 2006  University at Albany-SUNY, Department of Physics, Albany, NY

Teaching Assistant, 2003 - 2007  University at Albany-SUNY, Department of Physics, Albany, NY

COURSES TAUGHT

      Full Responsibility

·      Physics I: Mechanics (3 semesters  - Calculus Based)

      Teaching Assistant

·      Physics I: Mechanics Lab

·      Modern Physics

·      Space Exploration (Lectured)

INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE

Senior Lab Technician, BASF, Urethanes Division, Polymer Physics Group, Wyandotte, MI, 1994 - 2003

·        Invented a laser-measuring device for performing automated measuring of test specimens. PPG Laser Measurement System, Invention Record 12015 – December, 21, 1999.  Budget was ~ $30,000.

·        Created and implemented procedure for using a gas pycnometer on urethane foams.

·        Created and implemented a unique procedure for removing cured epoxy from test apparatus.  Budget was ~ $40,000.

·        Developed and implemented automatic data acquisition software for physical tests.  This eliminated almost one man year of labor.  Budget was ~ $15,000.

·        Designed and implemented a windows based LIMS system for archival and retrieval of data. Approved budget was ~ $500,000.

·        Organized a project to study test method ASTM D790.  This produced an industry paper, “Finding a Correction Factor to Compare Flexural Strength and Modulus of Large Deflection Urethane Based Polymers”.  Budget was ~ $8000

·        Created, organized and conducted various training sessions for new procedures.

·        Performed and developed various testing methods. ASTM, ISO and SAE.

HONORS AND AWARDS

·        Outstanding Research Award, Albany GSO, 2008

·        Keenan Symposium Fellowship, MIT, 2007

·        Outstanding Research Award, Albany GSO, 2007

·        C.L. Andrews Teaching Assistant of the Year Award, Dept. of Physics, 2006.

·        College Scholar Award, Univ at Albany, 2003 - 2007.

·        Various travel awards (see Grant Funding). 2003 - 2008.

·        Received all Research and Development quality awards presented by BASF, Urethanes division for 1998 and one in 1995.

·        Norman H. Horawitz award for outstanding scientific achievement, 1990.

·        A. Giffin, "Updating Probabilities: A Complex Agent-based Example", to be published in Conf Proc. and InterJournal (2007) (http://arxiv.org/abs/0712.4290).

·        A. Giffin, "Inferring Diversity - Life After Shannon", to be published in Conf Proc. and InterJournal (2007) (http://arxiv.org/abs/0709.4079).

·        A. Giffin, "Updating Probabilities: An Econometric Example", to be published in Springer-Verlag, Lecture Notes in Economics and Mathematical Systems. (2007) (http://arxiv.org/abs/0710.2912).

·        A. Giffin and A. Caticha, "Updating Probabilities with Data and Moments", Bayesian Inference and Maximum Entropy Methods in Science and Engineering, ed. by Kevin Knuth, et al. AIP Conf. Proc. 954, 74 (2007) (http://arxiv.org/abs/0708.1593).

·        A. Giffin, "The Error in the Two Envelope Paradox", (2006) (http://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0608172) (Not refereed, used as reference on Algebra.com, Answers.com, Yawiki.org and Wikipedia.)

·        A. Caticha and A. Giffin, "Updating Probabilities", Bayesian Inference and Maximum Entropy Methods in Science and Engineering, ed. by Ali Mohammad-Djafari, AIP Conf. Proc. 872, 31 (2006) (http://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0608185).

·        C. Cafaro, S. A. Ali, A. Giffin, "An Application of Reversible Entropic Dynamics on Curved Statistical Manifolds", Bayesian Inference and Maximum Entropy Methods in Science and Engineering, ed. by Ali Mohammad-Djafari, AIP Conf. Proc. 872, 243 (2006) (http://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0702011).

EDITED VOLUMES

Volume Editor – Knuth, K.H. (Editor), Caticha, A. (Editor), Center, J. L. (Editor), Giffin, A. (Editor), Rodríguez, C. C. (Editor). Bayesian Inference and Maximum Entropy Methods in Science and Engineering, AIP Conf. Proc. 954, 74 (2007).

·        Neuronal Data Analysis(Travel Support) - Carnegie Mellon, 2008, $400

·        Biostatistics (Travel Support) - M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 2007, $500

·        Econophysics (Travel Support) - Albany GSO, 2007, $600

·        ICCS 2007 (Travel Support) - New England Complex Systems Institute, 2007, $75

·        Advances in Econometrics (Travel Support) - LSU Foundation, 2007, $500

·        Physics RGSO Organizational Funds - Albany GSO, 2007, $820

·        Econophysics (Travel Support) - University at Albany Foundation, 2007, $500

·        Hatsopoulos Fellowship Travel Grant - MIT, 2007, $550

·        MaxEnt 2007 Organization Funds - E.T. Jaynes Foundation, 2007, $42,000

·        MaxEnt 2007 Organization Funds - University at Albany, 2007, $3500

·        Computational Methods Research Grant  –  Albany GSO, 2007, $600

·        Bayesian Inference (Travel Support) - University at Albany Foundation, 2006, $200

·        Physics RGSO Organizational Funds - Albany GSO, 2006, $820

·        Bayesian Inference (Travel Support) - Albany GSO, 2006, $450

·        Bayesian Inference (Travel Support) - E. T. Jaynes Foundation, 2006, $1,500

PRESENTATIONS

·        Invited Presentation , "Updating Probabilities: An Extended Econometric Example", presented at the 6^th Annual Advances in Econometrics: Bayesian Econometrics, Baton Rouge, LA, Nov 2-4, 2007.

·        "Updating Probabilities - A Complex Agent-Based Example", presented at the 7th International Conference on Complex Systems (ICCS2007) Boston, MA, USA, 28 October, 28-2 November 2007.

·        "Inferring Diversity - Life After Shannon", presented at the 7th International Conference on Complex Systems (ICCS2007) Boston, MA, USA, 28 October, 28-2 November 2007.

·        "Updating Probabilities with Data and Moments: An Econometric Example", presented at the 3rd Econophysics Colloquium, Ancona, Italy, Sept 27-29, 2007.

·        "Updating Probabilities with Data and Moments", 27th International Workshop on Bayesian Inference and Maximum Entropy Methods in Science and Engineering, Saratoga Springs, NY, July 8-13, 2007.

·        “Updating Probabilities with Data and Moment Constraints”, PASCAL Conference, Albany, NY, April 28, 2007.

·        “Demonic Computation: Reversibility in Classical Computers”, Oral Examination Presentation, Albany, Mar 13, 2007.

·        “Updating Probabilities”, PASCAL Conference, Albany, NY, April 23, 2006.

·        “Finding a Correction Factor to Compare Flexural Strength and Modulus of Large Deflection Urethane Based Polymers”, Internal Paper, BASF, 2003.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

·        Using Maximum Entropy and Bayesian statistical methods as tools for Inductive Reasoning.

·        Foundational issues regarding irreversibility and distinguishability.

·        Information Geometry.

·        Foundations of Statistical Mechanics, Quantum Mechanics and General Relativity.

·        Economics and Ecological applications.

·        Non-equilibrium systems.

SERVICE -- PROFESSIONAL

Session Chair - 3rd Econophysics Colloquium, Ancona, Italy, Sept 27-29, 2007.

Session Chair - 27th International Workshop on Bayesian Inference and Maximum Entropy, Saratoga Springs, NY, July 8-13, 2007

·        Geometry: Featuring Professor Shun-ichi Amari and John Skilling

·        Special Techniques V

Conference Organizing Committee

·        27th International Workshop on Bayesian Inference and Maximum Entropy, Saratoga Springs, NY, July 8-13, 2007

Research Organizations

·        MaxEnt Workshops Inc. – Secretary/Treasurer and co-founder.

Reviewer

·        The Journal of the Royal Society Interface, The Royal Society

·        Bayesian Inference and Maximum Entropy Methods in Science and Engineering, American Institute of Physics

Research and Development Steering Committee – Urethane Division, BASF

·        Directed internal aspects of Research and Development within the Urethane Division, 1999-2002. (Chair - 1999)

SERVICE -- UNIVERSITY

·        Graduate Studies Committee - Member, Physics, Albany-SUNY,  2007 – present

This committee determines admittance into the physics program, curriculum changes and general issues regarding graduate students.

·        Judicial Board - Member, Graduate Student Organization, Albany, 2007

Mediated graduate student disputes.  Revised constitution and bylaws.

·        Grants Committee - Member, Graduate Student Organization, Albany, 2007

Reviewed and administered grant funding.  Overhauled reviewing process.

·        Physics RGSO - Chair, Albany-SUNY, 2005 - present

Initiated workshops and obtained funding for weekly physics colloquiums.

·        University Teaching Outreach, Instructor, Physics, LTU, 1990 - 1992

Implemented and performed science demonstrations for inner city schools.

COMPUTER SKILLS

·      MS Office Suite

·      Microsoft Visual Basic

·      Lab View

·      MATLAB 7.1

·      Scientific Workplace (LaTex)

·      Microsoft Admin for Windows NT 4.0

·      Microsoft Admin for Windows 95/98

·      Maple 10

·      Mathematica 5.2

·      Dreamweaver 8

REFERENCES