BRENHAM NATIVE/SCIENTIST TO ADDRESS BLINN
Aerospace scientist and Blinn alumnus to discuss the discovery of the Higgs boson
Michael Harrison will break down the controversial theory behind the ‘God particle’
Accomplished aerospace scientist and Brenham native Michael Harrison will return to his alma mater Monday, Nov. 19, to discuss the discovery of the Higgs boson, a subatomic particle that helps give mass to all elementary particles, such as electrons and protons.
Harrison will speak at 10:30 a.m. in T-121 at the Blinn-Bryan Campus (map) and at 4:30 p.m. in the Janis Sneed Banquet Room in the Blinn-Brenham Campus Student Center (map). His presentation of the Higgs boson will define its properties and analyze the events leading to its discovery in 2012.
The event is hosted by the divisions of Mathematics, Business, Engineering, and Technology and Agricultural and Natural Sciences.
“We are excited to welcome Mr. Harrison back to Blinn for his annual presentation,” said Ashley Hermes, Director of Engineering Programs. “He gives students a different perspective about real-world topics, and they will leave informed and inspired by his knowledge and experience.”
His upcoming discussion will break down the controversial theory behind the Higgs boson, often referred to as the “God particle.” Beginning as early as 1964, physicists asserted that particle of this nature should exist; however, the Higgs boson was not officially detected until 2012, which resulted in a Nobel Prize in Physics.
With over three decades of experience working in the aerospace field, Harrison often gives presentations across the country to discuss and demystify current scientific events and announcements for the general public.
“During my 37 years of working in the aerospace industry, I noticed the public often struggles to understand science and technology,” Harrison said. “My passion is to bridge the gap between the scientific world and the general public by using real-world examples and analogies to shed light onto complicated subjects.”
Harrison is a Brenham native who attended Blinn from 1975-76, earned his bachelor’s degree in physics from MIT, and upon graduation began working at TRW Space Technology in Redondo Beach, California. During his aerospace science career, he has worked primarily in the design of data acquisition and satellite guidance systems. He also studied aerospace architecture at the University of Southern California.
For more information, contact Hermes at ashley.hermes@blinn.edu.