I am currently involved in positron physics research. Positrons (antimatter electrons) have been detected in large numbers in the center of the Milky Way galaxy. The goal of my research at ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ is to further simulate positron annihilation in the interstellar medium.
I am also involved in another positron experiment with three others at Zurich Polytechnic (ETH) in Switzerland. We will be measuring the energy levels of a hydrogen-like short-lived exotic atom called positronium. This precision measurement will allow further examination of the fundamental underpinnings of atomic physics.
My education took place at four different institutions. I studied as an undergraduate at Principia College, where I majored in physics and worked on measuring light from the Crab Nebulae Pulsar. At New York University, I studied for a masters degree, and I earned my doctorate from Brandeis University. I was an IBM postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University, where I worked for three years on initial efforts to create antihydrogen.
I worked in research at Bell Laboratories for twelve years, ultimately as a member of the technical staff (MTS). I was involved in gravity waves, optical astronomy, and positron physics and astrophysics. Bell Labs was the premier private research lab in the world at that time, and I had the opportunity to work among many well-known physicists of this golden era at the Labs.
After my years at Bell, I switched my focus from research to undergraduate education. I began my teaching career at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts. I then returned to my alma mater Principia College to teach and engage students in research projects. I took a sabbatical at North Carolina State University, working on a high intensity nuclear reactor based positron beam, before coming to ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ as Chair of the Physics Department.
At ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ we follow the philosophy of introducing students early on to modern physics and undergraduate research. This builds a strong foundation for advanced work.