Faculty
Meet the full-time physics and astronomy faculty.
Laura Etchemaite-Walborn
Teaches astronomy courses in the TU Core, with a focus on helping students build a strong foundation in quantitative reasoning, science methods, and content knowledge.
Parviz Ghavamian
Teaches physics and astrophysics courses. Research focuses on supernova remnants and shock waves in space, including cosmic-ray acceleration and the effects of shocks on interstellar dust.
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Phuoc Ha
Teaches physics and specializes in theoretical particle physics. Research focuses on nuclear and particle physics, high-energy neutrinos, strong interactions, physics beyond the Standard Model, and computational physics.
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Dylan Hilligoss
Teaches physics and astronomy and specializes in stellar and brown dwarf astronomy. Also directs the observatory and works with students on projects with TU's 16" telescope.
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Alan Jackson
Teaches physics and astronomy and studies how planets and planetary systems form and evolve. Research uses computational and theoretical models to better understand the variety of planetary systems and how common Earth-like planets may be.
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Rajeswari Kolagani
Teaches physics and graduate courses in applied physics and directs the Applied Physics Master’s program. Research focuses on condensed matter and materials physics, especially metal oxide thin films and materials with superconducting, magnetic and spintronic applications.
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Nicolas Kudsieh
Teaches physics and has interests in optics and applied physics. Work has included III-nitride light emitters and improving the thermal management of light-emitting devices.
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Abdul Naseer Malmi-Kakkada
Teaches physics and uses computational physics to study biological systems. Research focuses on how forces and interactions between cells affect cell migration, tumor growth, cell proliferation and signaling.
continue readingChristy Metzger
Teaches physics and physical science courses, with a focus on helping students understand fundamental concepts and develop quantitative and problem-solving skills.
James Overduin
Teaches physics, astronomy and cosmology. Research focuses on gravity, cosmology and high-energy physics, including extensions of General Relativity and connections between gravity and particle physics.
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Christian Ready
Teaches astronomy courses covering the solar system, stars, galaxies and cosmology and also directs the Towson University Planetarium. Also leads student teams in public outreach through the planetarium.
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Miguel Requena Torres
Teaches astronomy and specializes in radio astronomy and molecules in space. Research focuses on the chemistry of the interstellar medium using observations from radio and space-based telescopes.
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David Schaefer
Teaches physics and applied physics and specializes in nanotechnology and atomic force microscopy. Research uses AFM to study material properties at very small scales, including work on biodegradable materials made from fungi.
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Jennifer Scott
Teaches physics and astrophysics and studies galaxies, quasars and the intergalactic medium. Research includes using radio telescope observations to measure properties of galaxies.
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Jeffrey Simpson
Teaches physics and applied physics and works in experimental condensed matter and nanoscale physics. Research focuses on using various techniques including Raman spectroscopy to measure the optical and electronic properties of materials such as graphene and carbon nanotubes.
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Vera Smolyaninova
Teaches undergraduate and graduate physics and works in experimental condensed matter physics. Research includes metamaterials, transformation optics, invisibility cloaking, superconductors and functional materials.
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Tevis Tsai
Teaches physics and physical science, emphasizing fundamental skills in data analysis, scientific inquiry, and core subject matter.
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Jia-An Yan
Teaches physics and specializes in computational and theoretical condensed matter physics. Research uses computer simulations to study two-dimensional and other advanced materials, including their electronic, optical and vibrational properties.
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