Your Gifts at Work

Discover why Alan feels it is important to support the future of the field of physics.

Since joining the APS in 1977, Professor Lynn Cominsky has greatly expanded her professional interests by joining many different units as her career evolved.

Meet Jaylyn Umana

Thanks to the generosity of dedicated supporters, Jaylyn C. Umana, a senior physics major at Columbia University and participant in APS' National Mentoring Community, was able to receive support not just during his impressive rise through the field of physics but also when he faced medical issues and needed help financially.

Meet Robert Stanek

As a high energy physicist, Robert Stanek has worked on some of the biggest experiments in physics, including HERA, Germany’s largest research instrument, and as part of the ATLAS collaboration at CERN.

Meet David Sward

David Sward’s work as a programmer for the VA helped him appreciate the physicists who aim to understand nature’s fundamental laws. He is now a member of the APS Legacy Circle, alongside many others who hope to influence the future of scientific discovery.

Meet Erol Oktay

Plasma physicist Erol Oktay knows the importance of collaboration. Now retired, Oktay was for many years involved in one of the world's most complex and collaborative endeavors—the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) being built in France to prove the feasibility of fusion as a large-scale and carbon-free source of energy based on the same principle that powers our sun and stars. And as a member of the APS Legacy Circle, he values the way physicists can come together to support their professional society through the APS planned giving programs.

Meet Suha Oguz

After obtaining his degree and carrying out postdoctoral research on amorphous semiconductors, Suha Oguz worked as a scientist at the corporate research lab of a defense contractor. His career followed a path into technical management, and he eventually retired after 11 years as vice president of Research and Development for a $7 billion business. He credits his success to being able to bridge the gap between the engineers and scientists working on technical research, on the one hand, and the business development staff and lawyers on the other.

Meet Jay Jones

The newly created APS Medal for Exceptional Achievement in Research will be the first Society-wide annual award to recognize achievement of researchers across all fields of physics. It is funded by a generous donation from Jay Jones, the founder and former president of Olympic Medical Corporation.