October 2, 2025
NORTH ADAMS, MA — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts’ Physics Department will welcome Dr. Brian Beckford, a nuclear and particle physicist with the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of High Energy Physics, for a free public lecture on Thursday, Oct. 9, at 5 p.m. in the Feigenbaum Center for Science and Innovation, Room 121. This talk is funded by the American Institute of Physics Foundation’s TEAM-UP Together EXCEL grant.
In his talk, "The Road Less Traveled and My Path in Physics," Dr. Beckford will share both his groundbreaking research and his personal journey in science, from his immigrant childhood in Miami to conducting cutting-edge experiments in Japan. The presentation will offer audiences a unique blend of scientific insight and personal narrative, exploring the challenges and opportunities that have defined his career.
Dr. Beckford's research focuses on photoproduction and rare decay experiments, conducted at facilities in Japan, that contribute to our understanding of fundamental particles and forces. Beyond his scientific contributions, Dr. Beckford is a passionate advocate for diversity in STEM fields and has dedicated significant effort to broadening participation in physics for students from underrepresented groups.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for our students and the broader community to hear
from a leading physicist who exemplifies both scientific excellence and a commitment
to making physics more accessible," said MCLA Professor and Physics Department Chair
Dr. Kebra Ward.
The lecture is designed to appeal to a wide audience, from physics students and STEM
majors to anyone interested in science careers, diversity in academia, or the human
stories behind scientific discovery. The event is free and open to the public, and
community members, students, and faculty from all disciplines are encouraged to attend.
About MCLA
At MCLA, we're here for all — and focused on each — of our students. Classes are taught by educators who care deeply about teaching, and about seeing their students thrive on every level of their lives. In every way possible, the experience at MCLA is designed to elevate our students as individuals, leaders, and communicators, fully empowered to make their impressions on the world. In addition to our 130-year commitment to public education, we have fortified our dedication to equitable academic excellence. MCLA has appeared on U.S. News & World Report's list of Top Ten Public Colleges for 11 consecutive years, earning the No. 6 spot on the list of Top Public Liberal Arts Schools in the nation for 2026. The College's focus on affordable education and economic prosperity is reflected in additional 2026 U.S. News rankings: No. 6 for Top Performer on Social Mobility for liberal arts colleges in the state and No. 4 for Top Performer on Social Mobility for public liberal arts colleges in the country. These rankings measure how well schools graduate students who receive Federal Pell Grants.
