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Yearly Archives: 2023

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GREENLAWN PRIDE The Greenlawn Fireman’s Fair kicks off Aug. 31 with a parade down Broadway at 7 p.m. File photo by Sara-Megan Walsh/TBR News Media
Ongoing

Stone Bridge Nighthawk Watch

Every evening from Aug. 27 through Oct. 6, from 5:30 p.m. until dusk, the Four Harbors Audubon Society will be tallying migrating Common Nighthawks to better understand nighthawk population trends. Join them at the Stone Bridge at Frank Melville Memorial Park, One Old Field Road, Setauket to witness nighthawks as they pass over during their migratory journey to their wintering grounds in Brazil and Argentina. Visit www.4has.org for further details.

Thursday Aug. 31

Greenlawn Fireman’s Fair

It’s back! The Greenlawn Fire Department’s Fireman’s Fair, 23 Boulevard Ave., Greenlawn will return tonight from 7 to 11 p.m. with a parade along Broadway in Greenlawn at 7 p.m.; Sept. 1 and 2 from 7 to 11 p.m. and Sept. 3 from 5 to 11 p.m. Rain date is Sept. 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. New York State’s longest-running Fireman’s Fair, the event will feature games of chance, rides for the kids and all-around family fun. 631-261-9106.

Interplay Jazz Orchestra Concert

The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook hosts a concert by 16-piece Interplay Jazz Orchestra performing original compositions and arrangements written by band members. Tickets are $30 adults, $25 seniors, $20 students, $15 children at www.thejazzloft.org. 

Friday Sept. 1

Greenlawn Fireman’s Fair

See Aug. 31 listing.

Shinnecock Pow Wow

The Shinnecock Reservation hosts the 77th annual Shinnecock Pow Wow at 1 West Church St., Southampton today at 3 p.m. and Sept. 2, 3, and 4 at 10 a.m. Featuring Native American dances, crafts, storytelling, vendors, native foods, demonstrations and drumming competitions. Admission is $20 adults, $10 seniors and children, children under age 5 free. 631-283-6143

First Friday at the Heckscher

The Heckscher Museum of Art, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington continues its First Friday series tonight from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Explore the exhibitions during extended viewing hours and enjoy a special performance by hip-hop artist and jazz musician Dudley Music at 7 p.m. Free admission.  631-380-3230

Happenings on Main Street

Northport Arts Coalition concludes its Happenings on Main Street series, free concerts at the Northport Village Park Gazebo at the harbor, with a performance by Jack’s Waterfall at 7 p.m.  Bring seating. 631-261-1872, www.northportarts.org

The Edwards Twins head to T3

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson welcomes celebrity impersonators The Edward Twins for a special return engagement   tonight and Sept. 2 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $59. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

Saturday Sept. 2

Greenlawn Fireman’s Fair

See Aug. 31 listing.

Shinnecock Pow Wow

See Sept. 1 listing.

The Edwards Twins head to T3

See Sept. 1 listing.

Labor Day Festival

Join Superior Ice Rink, 270 Indian Head Road, Kings Park for its 2nd annua Labor Day Festival from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring a hockey tournament, food trucks, music, craft fair, farmers market, water slide bounce house, dunk tank, Chinese auction, raffles, Chuck a Duck and more. All proceeds benefit the Silent Night Foundation. Rain date is Sept. 3. 631-269-3900

Huntington Lighthouse Music Fest

Huntington Lighthouse Preservation Society presents its 14th annual Music Fest at the Huntington Harbor Lighthouse from 11 a.m. to sunset. Bands of all musical genres will perform on top of the lighthouse. There is no fee to attend or registration necessary. Just drop anchor with and enjoy a day of  fun, Rain date is Sept. 3. 631-421-1985, www.lighthousemusicfest.org.

SATURDAYS AT SIX CONCERT Lost in Staller, pictured with Dan Kerr of All Souls Church in Stony Brook, returns to the historic church on the hill for a free Saturdays at Six concert on Sept. 2.

Saturdays at Six Concert

All Souls Church, 61 Main St., Stony Brook continues its Saturdays at Six concert series with Lost in Staller, a group of Stony Brook University student musicians. Program will include a mix of funk music and jazz standards and pop tunes in their own style, and music from Vulfpeck, Stevie Wonder, Duke Ellington, and Cole Porter. The free concert will begin promptly at 6 p.m. 631-655-7798

Tribute to Neil Diamond

Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. Main St., Smithtown presents Neil Diamond tribute band Neil Forever live in concert at 8 p.m. The band that brings back the memories, the music and the performance we all loved. Tickets are $45 at www.smithtownpac.org.

Sunday Sept. 3

Greenlawn Fireman’s Fair

See Aug. 31 listing.

Shinnecock Pow Wow

See Sept. 1 listing.

Caumsett Hike

Join the staff at Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, 25 Lloyd Harbor Road, Huntington for a Seasonal Stroll to observe seasonal changes as summer withers and goes to seed from 9:45  to 11:45 a.m. $4 per person. Call 631-423- 1770 for reservations.

Ronkonkoma Street Fair

Ronkonkoma Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Labor Day Weekend street fair on Hawkins Road between Portion and Wittridge roads from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Featuring more than 200 vendors, live music, children’s rides, arts and crafts, giveaways and more. Free admission. 631-963-2796, www.ronkonkomachamber.com

Joseph James in Concert

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, 97 Main St., Stony Brook will host a concert by Joseph James from 3 to 4 p.m. Free with admission to the museum. For more information, call 689-5888 or visit www.limusichalloffame.org.

Monday Sept. 4

Shinnecock Pow Wow

See Sept. 1 listing.

Movie Trivia Night

Join the Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington for a Movie Trivia Night at 8 p.m. Try to answer 50 questions based all around film, actors and actresses, awards, and everything else associated with the world of film. Challenge like-minded film fans in a battle of wits for cash and other prizes. You can form teams, so bring some friends and work together. Feel free to come alone and play solo as well! Hosted by Dan French. Tickets are $10 per person, $7 members at www.cinemaartscentre.org. 631-423-7610.

Tuesday Sept. 5

No events listed for this day.

Wednesday Sept. 6

Silent Movie Night

Lake Ronkonkoma Historical Society, 328 Hawkins Ave., Lake Ronkonkoma  presents a Silent Movie Night event at 7 p.m. Hosted by George Schramm, the movie of the evening will be Mightly Like A Moose with Charley Chase. Coffee and snacks available. 631-467-3152.

Thursday Sept. 7

Lunch & Learn

Huntington Historical Society continues its Lunch & Learn series with Return to Sender: Women of Color in Colonial Postcards & the Politics of Representation with presenter Mara Ahmed at Matteo’s of Huntington, 300 W Jericho Turnpike, Huntington Station at noon. The presentation will include video, images, and literary excerpts. Tickets are $60m $50 members and includes a three-course meal, wine and dessert. To register, visit www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org or call 631-427-7045.

Theater

‘The Prom’

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson kick off its 53rd season with The Prom from Sept. 16 to Oct. 21. As the lights dim on four fading Broadway stars, they wildly seek the spotlight. Courting the controversy surrounding a small-town Indiana prom, the quartet invades a community that wants to keep the party straight. Tickets are $40 adults, $32 seniors, $20 students, $20 children ages 5 to 12. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

‘Love’s Labour’s Lost’

The Carriage House Players continue their 34th annual Summer Shakespeare Festival in the mansion courtyard of the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport with Love’s Labour’s Lost on Wednesdays and Fridays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m. from Aug. 11 to Sept. 8. Tickets are $20, $15 children under 12 at www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

‘Rent’

Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. Main St., Smithtown presents Jonathan Larson’s Rent from Sept. 16 to Oct. 22. Based loosely on Puccini’s La Boheme, the groundbreaking musical follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians — Roger, Mimi, Tom, Angel, Maureen, Joanne, Benny and Mark — struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. Tickets are $35 adults, $32 seniors, $28 students. To order, call 800-595-4849 or visit www.smithtownpac.org.

‘Escape to Margaritaville’

This show has been extended! The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents Escape to Margaritaville from July 13 to Sept. 3. This upbeat and energetic new musical features all your favorite Jimmy Buffett classics including “Volcano,” “Fins,”,“Cheeseburger in Paradise,” and of course “Margaritaville.” Tickets range from $80 to $85. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com. 

‘Every Brilliant Thing’

Theatre Three, 412 Main Street, Port Jefferson, in association with Response Crisis Center, presents Every Brilliant Thing, a one-man show starring Jeffrey Sanzel, on the Second Stage from Sept. 17 to Oct. 8.  With audience members recruited to take on supporting roles, Every Brilliant Thing is a heart-wrenching, hilarious story of depression and the lengths we will go for those we love. All seats are $20. Fifty percent of the gross proceeds of this production will benefit Response Crisis Center. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

‘(Mostly) True Things’

The Performing Arts Studio, 224 East Main St., Port Jefferson presents (Mostly) True Things, a game wrapped in a storytelling show that features true stories, with a twist, exploring the theme Return on Sept. 10 at 4 p.m. The show features 4 true stories but 3 of them include subtle little lies. In the second act, the audience questions the storytellers, then votes for the person they think told it straight. Winners get a tote bag, and the whole truth about each story is shared before the end of the evening. Storytellers will include Jude Treder-Wolff, Peter Arevelo, Marisa T. Cohen, Bob Brader, Aida ZilelianTickets are $20 online at Eventbrite or $25 at the door (cash only). www.mostlytruethings.com 

Class Reunions

•Ward Melville High School Class of 1973 will hold its 50th reunion at the Setauket Neighborhood House, 95 Main St., Setauket on Sept. 9, 2023 from 6 to 11 p.m. For ticket information, contact Tibo Dioguardi at [email protected].

•Save the date! Port Jefferson High School Class of 1964 will hold its 60th reunion at the Meadow Club, 1147 Route 112, Port Jefferson Station on Oct. 17, 2024. For more information, email Mike Whelen at [email protected].

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Photo from SCPD
Photo from SCPD
Photo from SCPD
Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate four people who allegedly stole from a South Setauket store in August.

Four people allegedly stole electric scooters from Target, located at 265 Pond Path, at 1:10 p.m. on August 22. The merchandise was valued at approximately $580.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, utilizing a mobile app which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips, or online at www.P3Tips.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential.

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Pictured from left, Friends Scholarship Chair Agatha Monteleone, Friends President Anthony Monteleone, Taylor Saar and Emerson Cozine

The Friends of The Smithtown Library, a volunteer organization dedicated to supporting the Library, has awarded its 15th annual scholarship. This scholarship is awarded annually to graduating  Smithtown Library cardholders. The first place scholarship was presented to Smithtown High  School East graduate Taylor Saar; second place was presented to Smithtown High School East graduate Emerson Cozine.  

Taylor Saar was accepted to Penn State College and the University of Delaware for the fall.  She is no stranger to The Smithtown Library, participating in over 400 hours of volunteer work at  the Nesconset Building including Kindness Cards, Bookmark Volunteers, Washkits, Paracord  Bracelets and more. She also volunteered her time for the Red Cross and Long Island Cares. 

Emerson Cozine will be attending Loyola University Maryland in the fall. She was awarded  the Girl Scout Silver Award, has years of experience volunteering at summer camps and is involved  in leadership activities in her school. 

The Friends, along with The Smithtown Library congratulate these two young women on  this award and wish them much success in their future endeavors. 

 



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Do you recognize this person? Photo from SCPD
Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the man who allegedly menaced a woman with a knife in Coram this month.

A man approached a woman walking on Towne Woods Road in Coram on August 18 at approximately 6 p.m. The two engaged in a verbal dispute and the man allegedly displayed a knife. The woman left on foot.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, utilizing a mobile app which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips, or online at www.P3Tips.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential.

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File photo
Do you recognize this woman? Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Third Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the woman who allegedly stole merchandise from a Central Islip store.

A woman allegedly stole multiple beauty products from Target, located at 160 North Research Place, on July 30 at approximately 7:30 p.m.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, utilizing a mobile app which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips, or online at www.P3Tips.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential.

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Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. Photo from Tierney's office

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Felix Martinez, 46, of Port Jefferson Station, was indicted for Murder in the Second Degree and other related charges, after Richard Shields, 56, died of injuries he sustained after Martinez allegedly brutally beat and choked him in front of their shared residence.

“Richard Shields suffered brutal and deadly injuries after this defendant allegedly attacked him,” said District Attorney Tierney. “My office will continue to work hard to ensure appropriate justice as a result. We will not allow individuals to carry out such acts of violence in Suffolk County without facing significant consequences.”

According to the investigation, on August 4, 2023, shortly after 12:00 p.m., Martinez confronted the victim, Richard Shields, in front of the house they shared on Jarvin Road, in Port Jefferson Station. Video surveillance footage recovered from a neighbor’s home showed that the confrontation began while Shields was seated on a chair in front of the home. Over the course of 15 minutes, Martinez allegedly repeatedly punched, choked, and stomped on Shields, and then struck him on the head with a mop bucket. Martinez culminated the attack by stripping Shields of his clothing and then urinating on him as he lay unconscious on the ground.

When members of the Suffolk County Police Department arrived at the scene, they found Martinez in front of the house, smoking a cigar while Shields laid unconscious at his feet. Martinez was then placed under arrest.

Shields was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital where he was listed in critical condition. Five days later, on August 9, 2023, after succumbing to the injuries he sustained from Martinez’s attack, Shield was pronounced dead.

On August 29, 2023, Martinez was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable John B. Collins, for Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A violent felony, and Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, a Class B violent felony. Judge Collins ordered Martinez remanded without bail or bond during the pendency of the case.

Martinez’s next court date is September 22, 2023. He faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the top count. He is being represented by Jeremy Schileppi, Esq.

This case is prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Elena Tomaro of the Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Carlos J. Benitez II of the Major Crime Bureau, with investigative assistance from the Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide Squad.

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BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND: Called everything from ‘hillbilly-Pink Floyd’ to ‘folk-pop’ to ‘surreal Americana,’ the Slambovian Circus of Dreams returns to this year's festival. Photo by Tom Moore

By Julianne Mosher

If you have a love for folk music, head over to Benner’s Farm in East Setauket on Sunday, Sept. 10 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the 11th annual Fiddle and Folk Festival. Just in time for fall, the event will have a little something for everyone.

Held on the grounds of the historic farm, that has been owned by Bob Benner and his family since 1977, festival-goers can always expect the best in traditional and contemporary folk music plus other fun-filled farm activities suitable for all ages. 

Singer-songwriter Cassandra House

“Bob Benner has been instrumental in the Fiddle and Folk Festival for years,” said Amy Tuttle, program director for the Greater Port Jefferson-Northern Brookhaven Arts Council.

Tuttle added that the festival was held for many years at the Long Island Museum in Stony Brook. Unfortunately, it stopped for a bit, until Benner “resurrected it.” 

“It’s always on the first Sunday after Labor Day,” said Tuttle, who said that the GPJAC has been involved every year at Benner’s since — except for one year which was during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We have an eclectic variety of music, so there’s something for everybody.”

This year’s performers include The Slambovian Circus of Dreams (back by popular demand), Cassandra House, Barbecue  Bruce and the Brisket Brothers, and last year’s “Pick of the Crop,” Stephen Robinson and Hank Stone. Bob Westcott will emcee and entertain between sets with stories and song.

With the exception of The Slambovian Circus of Dreams, who are popular regulars on the folk festival scene, the rest of the performers are all Long Island locals; Cassandra House is from the South Shore and Barbecue  Bruce and the Brisket Brothers (Bruce MacDonald, Dan Skabeikis and John Brisotti) hail from the North Fork.

Tuttle also mentioned the “Pick of the Crop,” a new contest that was implemented last year. The idea is for performers to virtually audition online before the festival with finalists performing in-person the day of the festival in front of a group of judges. Those judges then decide which of the finalists will perform on the main stage at next year’s festival. 

Right now, there is an online submission page where musicians, singers and songwriters can submit their work. The first round of judges will then choose from those submissions who made it to the next round, performing on the Shady Grove Stage. 

“It’s a really nice festival,” Tuttle said. “Everyone always has a great time.”

If the main stage and contest stages weren’t enough, there’s more. This year, an open mic stage will be presented on the back of Bob Benner’s old ’24 Model T Truck.

Benner said that other than the music and food that will be available to enjoy, there will be other fun things to do — especially for the little ones. 

“We’ll have a kid’s corner and caricatures,” he said, adding Long Island’s largest swing will be available to play on. Visitors will also be available to visit with the farm’s many animals including sheep, goats and chickens.

“The Fiddle and Folk Festival is a perfect way to ease out of all the fun things we have been doing over the summer and head into the fall,” Tuttle said. “It’s relaxed and a great way to unwind before the start of the school year.”

Presented by Homestead Arts, the Greater Port Jefferson-Northern Brookhaven Arts Council and Benner’s Farm, the music festival will be held rain or shine.

Benner’s Farm is located at 56 Gnarled Hollow Road in East Setauket. Advance sale tickets for the Fiddle & Folk Festival are $20 for adults, $17 for seniors and $10 for children. Tickets on the day of the event are  $23 adults, $20 seniors and $10 for children.

Audience members are encouraged to bring their own seating. A full schedule of performances and events along with applications for the “Pick of the Crop” contest are available at www.fiddleandfolk.com. For more information, call 631-689-8172.

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Police car

Suffolk County Police Marine Bureau Officers rescued a Brentwood family of four after their boat
capsized in the Long Island Sound on Aug. 28.

Suffolk County Police responded to a 911 call at 8:26 p.m. from a 17-year-old stating he and his family
were on a boat taking on water in the Long Island Sound, off of Northport.

The 14-foot skiff fully capsized prior to police arrival and the family were in the water. The 17-year-old,
Oscar Martinez, used the flashlight on his cellphone to signal to Marine Bureau Officers Robert Reed
and Robert Mroczkowski onboard Marine Bravo.

Within 10 minutes from the initial call, Oscar Martinez, Jose Velasquez, 29, Olsin Martinez, 37, and Emma Martinez, 22, were pulled safely from the water. Only two of the victims were wearing a life preservers.

All four were transported to the Soundview Boat Ramp for evaluation by Northport Fire Department
personnel and declined medical treatment.

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Esther Tsai is one of four scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory to be selected by DOE’s Office of Science to receive significant funding through its Early Career Research Program. Photo courtesy of BNL

By Daniel Dunaief

This is part 2 of a 2-part series.

Half of this year’s crop of recipients from New York State for Early Career Awards from the Department of Energy came from Brookhaven National Laboratory.

With ideas for a range of research efforts that have the potential to enhance basic knowledge and lead to technological innovations, two of the four winners earned awards in basic energy science, while the others scored funds from high energy physics and the office of nuclear physics.

“Supporting America’s scientists and researchers early in their careers will ensure the United States remains at the forefront of scientific discovery,” Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm said in a statement. The funding provides resources to “find the answers to some of the most complex questions as they establish themselves as experts in their fields.”

The DOE chose the four BNL recipients based on peer review by outside scientific experts. All eligible researchers had to have earned their PhDs within the previous 12 years and had to conduct research within the scope of the Office of Science’s eight major program areas.

Last week, the TBR News Media  highlighted the work of Elizabeth Brost and Derong Xu. This week, we will feature the efforts of Esther Tsai and Joanna Zajac.

Esther Tsai

Esther Tsai is one of four scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory to be selected by DOE’s Office of Science to receive significant funding through its Early Career Research Program. Photo courtesy of BNL

Listening to her in-laws argue over whom Alexa, the virtual assistant, listens to more, Esther Tsai had an idea for how to help the scientists who trek to BNL for their experiments. As a member of the beamline staff at the National Synchrotron Lightsource II, Tsai knew firsthand the struggles staff and visiting scientists face during experiments.

Artificial intelligence systems, she reasoned, could help bridge the knowledge gap between different domain experts and train students and future generations of scientists, some of whom might not be familiar with the coding language of Python.

In work titled “Virtual Scientific Companion for Synchrotron Beamlines,” Tsai, who is a scientist in the Electronic Nanomaterials Group of the Center for Functional Nanomaterials, is developing a virtual scientific companion called VISION. The system, which is based on a natural language based interaction, will translate English to programming language Python. 

“VISION will allow for easy, intuitive and customized operation for instruments without programming experience or deep understanding of the control system,” said Tsai.

The system could increase the efficiency of experiments, while reducing bottlenecks at the lightsource, which is a resource that is in high demand among researchers throughout the country and the world.

Staff spend about 20 percent of user-support time on training new users, setting up operation and analysis protocols and performing data interpretation, Tsai estimated. Beamline staff often have to explain how Python works to control the instrument and analyze data.

VISION, however, can assist with or perform all of those efforts, which could increase the efficiency of scientific discoveries.

After the initial feelings of shock at receiving the award and gratitude for the support she received during the award preparation, Tsai shared the news with friends and family and then went to the beamline to support users over the weekend.

As a child, Tsai loved LEGO and jigsaw puzzles and enjoyed building objects and solving problems. Science offers the most interesting “puzzles to solve and endless possibilities for new inventions.”

Tsai appreciates the support she received from her parents, who offered encouragement throughout her study and career. Her father Tang Tsai, who is a a retired professor in Taiwan, often thought about research and scribbled equations on napkins while waiting for food in restaurants. On trips, he’d bring papers to read and shared his thoughts. Tsai’s mom Grace, a professor in management in Taiwan who plans to retire soon, also supported her daughter’s work. Both parents read press releases about Tsai’s research and shared their experience in academia.

Tsai thinks it’s exciting to make the imaginary world of Star Trek and other science fiction stories a reality through human-AI interactions.

Joanna Zajac

From left, Joanna Zajac is one of four scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory to be selected by DOE’s Office of Science to receive significant funding through its Early Career Research Program. Photo courtesy of BNL

A quantum scientist in the Instrumentation Division, Joanna Zajac is developing a fundamental understanding of fast light-matter interconnects that could facilitate long distance quantum networks.

Zajac will design and build systems that use quantum dots to generate single photos in the wavelengths used for optical telecommunications.

These quantum dots could potentially generate photons that would work at telecommunication and atomic wavelengths, which could reduce the losses to almost nothing when quantum information travels through the current optical fibers network. Losses are currently around 3.5 decibels per kilometer, Zajac explained in an email.

By coupling quantum dot single photons with alkali vapors, the light-matter interconnects may operate as a basis for quantum information, making up nodes of quantum network connected by optical links.

“Within this project, we are going to develop fundamental understanding of interactions therein allowing us to develop components of long-distance quantum networks,” Zajac said in a statement. “This DOE award gives me a fantastic opportunity to explore this important topic among the vibrant scientific community in Brookhaven Lab’s Instrumentation Division and beyond.”

Zajac explained that she was excited to learn that her project had been selected for this prestigious award. “I have no doubt that we have fascinating physics to learn,” she added.

In her first year, she would like to set up her lab space to conduct these measurements. This will also include development experimental infrastructure such as microscopes and table-top optical experiments. She hopes to have some proof-of-principle experiments. 

She has served as a mentor for numerous junior scientists and calls herself “passionate” when it comes to working with students and interns.

Zajac, who received her master’s degree in physics from Southampton University and her PhD in Physics from Cardiff University, said she would like to encourage more women to enter the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields, “as they are still underrepresented,” she said. “I would encourage them to study STEM subjects and ensure them that they will do just great.”

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Port Jefferson school district students in cheer camp. Photo courtesy PJSD

The Port Jefferson School District athletic department recently concluded its summer athletic camps. The camp program doubled from 11 camps during its inaugural year last summer to 22 camps this year, offered from May through August, with 454 enrollments.

Varsity coaches ran the camps, assisted by the varsity student-athletes. The camps allowed students to remain active, develop their love of athletics and enhance athletic ability, all while making connections with high school athletes. The athletic department looks forward to creating more opportunities for students to engage in healthy activities in the future.

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