While coming to USI as an experimental physicist studying nuclear astrophysics, my experimental background has enabled me to conduct research alongside students:
In radioactive sources in geological formations, in plasma formation in the upper atmosphere,
In proton-induced x-ray emission studies, and in sputtering of thin films on optical surfaces.
My research focuses on the properties of materials in extreme conditions of high pressure, high magnetic field and low temperatures. The physics of the electrons inside of a material is quite complicated and driven by many interactions. In these extreme conditions we suppress some of the interactions so that we may focus our efforts on understanding specific interactions. Experimental work takes place at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory in Tallahassee, Fl and students have accompanied me in the past.
Dr. Greenwood’s research primarily focuses on a number of sub-fields of particle-astrophysics. These topics have ranged from alternative and naive ways of quantizing gravity, which has led to interesting results in black hole physics and toward the resolution of the information loss paradox (Quantum gravitational collapse, Hawking radiation as seen by an infalling observer), particle production in cosmological de Sitter space, alternative models to explain the apparent accelerated expansion of the universe as well as experimental test to falsify this model, and finally to the topology of the universe. Outside of these topics, Dr. Greenwood has also worked with Berry Phases, which are real measurable phases that change a quantum state in a cyclic system. Currently, along with thesis students, Dr. Greenwood is establishing a quantum mechanics (quantum optics) lab. The lab will allow for the measurement of several different quantum properties of photons such as the entanglement of photons, quantum erasers, coincidence of photons, geometrical (Berry) phases, and more. He is currently looking for students to help establish the lab and conduct experiments.
Dr. Deligkaris has interests in computational biophysics and computational physics research. Undergraduate students often work with Dr. Deligkaris in his projects, present their work at regional and national conferences and are co-authors in peer-reviewed scientific publications. Dr. Deligkaris is interested in understanding how carcinogens damage biomedically-important genes, such as tumor suppressor genes and proto-oncogenes. To accomplish this goal Dr. Deligkaris uses both classical physics-based and quantum mechanical-based computational methodologies that provide information about the physico-chemical properties of carcinogens, how they physically and chemically bind to DNA (DNA damage). Other research projects include the computational modelling of water drops orbiting knitting needles in space. Undergraduate students can work with Dr. Deligkaris on any of these exciting projects!
Dr. Kloosterman’s research interests include instrumentation for radio astronomy and communication systems. She is currently working on GUSTO with the University of Arizona. This project is a sub-orbital mission scheduled to launch from Antarctica on a balloon. The mission will look at ionized nitrogen at 1.4 THz, ionized carbon at 1.9 THz, and oxygen at 4.7 THz. These spectral lines will provide scientists with a better understanding how of giant molecular clouds collapse to form stars in the Milky Way and other galaxies. She will happily consider working with interested students on the project.
She is also developing a balloon-based communication satellite for high-speed interplanetary communications in conjuction with Free-Fall Aerospace and the University of Arizona. This communication system corrects spherical aberrations that arise from using balloons and uses electronic phase-shifting to steer signals between the balloons. She will happily consider working with interested students on the project.
My research interests are focused on astrophysics, which is exploring the physics concepts behind the different objects that make up our universe. I have experience in extragalactic astrophysics (physics underlying objects outside our galaxy), especially looking at a class of galaxies called active galactic nuclei. Besides the physics side of things, astrophysics also provides training in data processing (taking raw data from a telescope and cleaning it to a point where science can be done on it), data analysis (looking at the processed data from a telescope and describing what that data shows), and computer programing, which is need for both the processing and analysis. For undergraduates interested in doing research in astrophysics, there is a large amount of data available to the public from many different telescopes, including databases from the Hubble Space Telescope and other major NASA missions and the experience in the processing and analysis of that data would benefit any student looking to pursue a graduate degree in any type of physics.
The Geology & Physics Department is closely affiliated with USI’s SwISTEM Resource Center. Physics students that are interested in teaching related experiences can work with Mr. Polak and the SwISTEM Center to work as judges or volunteers for the Tri-State Science and Engineering Fair, the FIRST Lego Robotics Competition, the SeaPerch Robotics competition, or any of the camps or outreach opportunities that are offered throughout the year. Physics students interested in education can also get experience with outreach and educational experiences with Helfrich Park STEM Academy .