Machine Shop Has a Fine Reputation

I would like to point out what I feel to be a misrepresentation of certain facts presented in the article by Denise Hamilton: “A Match Made in the Heavens” (Times, March 17). The article did not do justice to the UCLA physics department machine shop, and I believe that the record needs to be set straight.

As a member of the research team discussed in the article, I can personally vouch for the high degree of craftsmanship and professionalism demonstrated by the UCLA physics department machine shop. Everyone on our team has nothing but compliments for their superb work, and I can personally attest to their competency and high degree of skill. I have dealt in the past with the shop superintendent, Albert Casillas, and he has always been friendly, courteous and professional when performing jobs for us.

In fact, the majority of work on our gamma-ray telescope is done right here at UCLA--either by ourselves or the professional machinists in the physics department machine shop. I felt that the article did not accurately reflect the fine reputation that these men have earned through their skill and dedication to their work.

TY FOSHE

Research Assistant

UCLA Physics Department