Louis Varriano

Louis Varriano is in his second year in the Physics Department at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He currently serves as the President of the Society of Physics Students chapter at UTK and has worked to expand the membership and involvement of the chapter, as well as the number of physics students who actively participate in research. Through his efforts, the Society of Physics Students at UTK has partnered with other on-campus organizations to spearhead a monthly science-outreach program at a local elementary school for children in the community. The chapter also hosts public demonstrations in the downtown district for outreach and donations and has also performed demonstrations on behalf of the university and other charitable groups. Louis also leads a STEM education pilot program for the Boy Scouts of America at an area elementary school, along with several other SPS members. Louis has also worked to increase the amount of funding that his department provides for physics undergraduates and SPS activities. In addition to his interest in physics outreach, Louis works with a faculty member on theoretical dark matter research under a mirror matter hypothesis. He has presented his work on several occasions, including at the meeting of the Southeastern Section of the American Physical Society in 2014. Louis also has a keen interest in science and energy policy and plans to attend graduate school to further this interest.