Explore cutting edge science topics, their latest developments, and their relevance to society through speaker presentations followed by question-and-answer period with the audience.
The Winter/Spring 2026 Science Inquiry Series will kick off on February 11 with a talk on solar energy technology by MSU’s Dr. Erik Grumstrup–see information below. On March 11, Ph.D. candidate Stacy Henderson will discuss her research on the most recent supereruption in Yellowstone.
Watch this space for news of additional talks, coming soon
Science Inquiry Series Explores Solar Energy
What has made solar-generated electricity cheaper than all other methods of power generation, and what does it mean for our energy future? Dr. Erik Grumstrup, Professor in the MSU Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, will address this question in the first presentation of the Winter/Spring 2026 Science Inquiry Series.
The talk will be presented in the Community Room of the Bozeman Public Library on Wednesday, February 11, at 6:30 pm. It is sponsored by the Gallatin Valley Friends of the Sciences, and co-sponsored by the non-profit service organization Hopa Mountain.
The series explores cutting edge science topics, their latest developments, and their relevance to society through speaker presentations followed by questions from the audience. The talks are free to the public; seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
In his presentation, titled “Solar Energy: from Physics to Policy,” Grumstrup will explain the fundamental physics of photovoltaic generation and how economic and adjacent technological drivers are leading to unprecedented changes in how our energy needs will be met in the future.
Dr. Grumstrup holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Physics from the University of Colorado, and served as a post-doctoral researcher at the University of North Carolina and the Army Research Office. He has led a research group at Montana State University since 2014, studying how electrons behave in “functional materials”—materials that make possible modern technologies from solar cells to computers.
The presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer period.
Keep up on the world of science with this feature offering links to selected online articles in a variety of disciplines.
February’s Featured Article
From Popular Science:
The seed vaults that could save humanity
For additional article links, click on the “Science Link” tab above (under the banner).
Click on the “Initiatives” tab above (under the banner) to learn about current science-based initiatives. Current topic: climate change.