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Division of Natural Sciences & MathematicsDepartment of Physics & Astronomy

Physics & Astronomy

News & Highlights

  • Congratulations, Dr. Brian Bailey!
    In September 2012, Brian Bailey became our latest Ph.D. graduate. Brian's dissertation, "Lamination for a Tool for Understanding Device Physics of Organic Photovoltaics," was advised by Dr. Sean Shaheen. Brian began his studies at DU in 2007, and after completing the core coursework and serving as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, he began full-time research on his Ph.D. topic at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. He now holds a position at Intel Corporation in Hillsboro, OR.

  • DU P&A produces an outstanding class of graduates
    The graduating class of 2012 included 10 physics majors, all of whom will continue into graduate or professional programs. Congratulations to these terrific students!
    • Anar Amgalan (BS, Ghosh): Physics Ph.D. program, Stony Brook University
    • Gina Eldridge (BS, Siemens): Applied Physics Ph.D. program, Colorado School of Mines
    • Nick Long (BS, Stencel): Space Studies MS program, University of North Dakota
    • Michael Malatesta (BS, Hoffman, Fall 2012): currently applying to Ph.D. programs
    • Thienbao Nguyen (BS, Loerke): Physics Ph.D. program, Lehigh University
    • Nick Pierce (BA): medical school
    • Joseph Rauch (BS, Zink): Physics Ph.D. program, Brandeis University
    • Mark Rustad (BS, Ghosh): Physics Ph.D. program, University of Minnesota
    • Kari Storslett (BS, Shaheen): Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Ph.D. program, UC Berkeley
    • Di Wei (BS, Zink): Applied Physics Ph.D. program, Harvard University

    2012 physics graduates
    From left: Gina, Joe, DiDi, Nick L., Thienbao, and Kari after commencement

  • Congratulations, Dr. Brian Kloppenborg!
    In May 2012, graduate student Brian Kloppenborg successfully defended his dissertation, "Interferometric, astrometric, and photometric studies of
    epsilon Aurigae: Seeing the disk around a distant star." Brian entered the Ph.D. program in 2007, and in 2010 published a paper in Nature with his adviser, Dr. Robert Stencel. He was also involved in the AAVSO's Citizen Sky project. Brian is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Max-Planck Institut für Radioastronomie in Bonn.
    Kloppenborg and Stencel
    Brian Kloppenborg with Robert Stencel after Brian's defense

  • Astronomy professor Toshiya Ueta granted tenure
    We welcome our newest tenured professor, Dr. Toshiya Ueta! Dr. Ueta joined the department in 2006. His research focuses on the late stages of stellar evolution, particularly in low-mass asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars. He works extensively with infrared images obtained from the Spitzer, AKARI, and Herschel space telescopes.

  • Physics professor Kingshuk Ghosh awarded NSF CAREER grant
    Assistant professor Dr. Kingshuk Ghosh has been awarded a prestigious CAREER grant from the National Science Foundation for his project entitled "How Do Thermophilic Proteins Withstand High Temperature?" CAREER grants are five-year awards supporting junior faculty who "exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research, excellent education and the integration of education and research." Dr. Ghosh joins an elite group of only 5 DU professors who have received CAREER awards; two of the others, Dr. Mercedes Calbi and Dr. Barry Zink, are also members of the DU Physics and Astronomy department.  Dr. Ghosh was also recently named a Research Corporation Cottrell Scholar for his commitment to both research and teaching.