Research
Research
Research is a central part our department's work. It enhances teaching and learning, enriches the experiences of students and faculty, and advances the frontier of knowledge about the physical processes that shape structures ranging from the smallest fundamental particles to the entirety of our universe. The majority of our faculty have externally funded research projects, which connect our students to the broader scientific community and provide opportunities for paid research positions, over the summer or during the academic year. Our department does not offer PhDs degrees, so undergraduates have a unique opportunity to get directly involved with our faculty’s research programs.
Key areas of ongoing research in the department include: astronomy & astrophysics; condensed matter (experiment & theory); experimental gravity; physics education and planetary science. Brief descriptions of faculty-led research in each area are provided below, along with tips for students interested in each area of investigation. Click on a specific research area to see who is doing what, and how to get involved!
Faculty Research Areas
Prof. Kevin Covey
Prof. Covey studies the formation and early evolution of stars and star clusters in our Milky Way. Using data from large astrophysical surveys (e.g., the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, the European Space Agency's Gaia Mission, and soon, the Rubin Observatory's Rubin Observatory's Legacy Survey of Space and Time). Recently, students working with Dr. Covey have published and presented at conferences on topics ranging from accretion onto still-forming stars, newly detected eclipsing binary systems, and simulations of dissolving star clusters.
Research Space: CF 353 (computational - 'The Astro Lab')
Useful (not necessarily required) preparation & coursework: ASTR 316; CSCI 141 or other programming experience
Prof. Ken Rines
Prof. Rines studies galaxy clusters and their outskirts. Galaxy clusters are the largest collapsed objects in the universe, providing a powerful probe of the growth and evolution of structure in the universe. Dr. Rines leads projects to measure the properties and motions of galaxies in these clusters, to understand if cluster galaxies formed differently from field (non-cluster) galaxies, or if the differences we see today reflect how the galaxies respond to their cluster and group environments. Galaxy clusters also offer an opportunity to learn more about the properties of dark energy, the material driving the accelerating expansion of our universe. Dr. Rines, with students and collaborators, compare the properties of galaxy clusters that we observe today with predictions of cosmological models based on different assumptions about the amount and properties of dark energy.
Research Space: CF 353 (computational - 'The Astro Lab')
Prof. Milton From
Prof. From's research background is in nanomagnetism, or the magnetic properties of very small structures. The phrase 'very small' may be an understatement here: Dr. From's research includes studying magnetic films that are just a few atomic layers thick. One of the main applications of this kind of research is in increasing the density of computer information storage.
Dr. From works with WWU students to make magnetic films that are a few tens of atoms thick with an in-house vacuum deposition system. Magnetic properties of such thin films are quite different from everyday bulk materials. We do magnetic measurements with a Sandercock-type Brillouin Light Scattering apparatus and a Magnetooptical Kerr Effect setup. We also have two closed cycle He refrigerators for electrical and optical measurements in the temperature range 10-300K.
Research Space: CF 11+12 (experimental lab)
Useful (not necessarily required) preparation & coursework: Experience in using LabVIEW; PHYS 322 (electronics) & 344 (optics); magnetic fields, electrical transport measurement techniques.
Prof. Andreas Riemann
Prof. Riemann studies surface nanostructures, including metal and graphite substrates and inorganic and organic molecules such as Alkali Halides, Amino Acids, and Spiropyran-based molecular switches. His experimental work is focused on the fabrication of nanostructures and ultrathin films, and characterizing their properties through Scanning Tunneling Microscopy, Low-Energy Electron Diffraction and Auger Electron Spectroscopy. He also conducts Computational Chemistry calculations using basic Density Functional Theory and Molecular Mechanics.
Research Space: CF 14 (experimental lab) / CF 383 (computational lab - 'The Q Lab')
Prof. Takele Seda
Prof. Seda's research interests center on the magnetic and electronic properties of iron bearing materials and minerals. His current research focuses on the chemical synthesis and characterization of transition metal substituted iron oxides nanomagnetic materials for optoelectronics and high frequency applications.
Research Space: CF 11 (experimental lab)
Useful (not necessarily required) preparation & coursework: PHYS 224 & 225 (Modern Physics I & II); PHYS 326 (Tools & Data); General Chemistry sequence
Prof. Armin Rahmani
Prof. Rahmani conducts theoretical and computational research in quantum condensed matter physics and quantum computing. His primary focus is exploring strong electron-electron correlations in low-temperature phases of low-dimensional quantum systems. He also investigates optimal strategies for controlling nonequilibrium quantum dynamics, including in variational quantum algorithms and the simulation of physical systems with analog and digital quantum computing devices.
Research Space: CF 383 (computational lab - 'The Q Lab')
Useful (not necessarily required) preparation & coursework: PHYS 224 & 225 (Modern Physics I & II); PHYS 326 (Tools & Data); General Chemistry sequence
Prof. Svenja Fleischer
Prof. Fleischer's research interests concern experimental gravitational physics and precision experiments to study fundamental physics. The main focus of her group is technology development for the next generation of gravitational wave detectors, thereby helping to enable new discoveries in the new field of gravitational wave astronomy. Additionally, in collaboration with a group at the University of Washington, Dr. Fleischer is involved in a small-scale experimental gravity experiment using a torsion balance.
Research Space: CF 13 (experimental lab)
Prof. Andrew Boudreaux
Prof. Boudreaux conducts research on student conceptual understanding and reasoning abilities in introductory and upper division physics courses. This includes identifying specific learning difficulties, and developing and testing instructional strategies to support deeper learning. Recently, he has begun to draw on dual-process theories of reasoning, a theoretical framework from cognitive psychology, to help interpret student responses and guide the design of instruction.
Student researchers frequently participate in, and collaborate on, Prof. Boudreaux research projects. These students typically deepen their understanding of basic physics concepts and reasoning, while developing data analysis (e.g., Excel) and written and verbal communication skills, including presenting in professional settings. Students also frequently develop a background in constructivist-based principles of learning drawn from cognitive psychology and education research.
Research Space: CF 368 (Physics Education Research [PER] lab)
Useful (but not required) preparation & coursework: Physics 16x sequence, along with Physics 220. Prior work, or current involvement as a Physics Lab TA also provides helpful background.
Prof. Trà Huỳnh
Prof. Huỳnh's research interests are centered on equity and justice in physics and physics education. Specifically, she seeks to understand the structures of learning and teaching physics that continue to reproduce inequities and discourage the participation of students from non-dominant communities. Her research methods involve analyzing discourses and phenomena of learning and being in physics from multiple theoretical lenses, and gathering qualitative evidence from classroom observations, interviews, surveys, etc. She is also passionate about facilitating and developing professional development for physics practitioners (undergraduate instructional assistants, teachers, and faculty) to support a cultural and practical shift toward equitable and just physics education. She looks forward to working with undergraduate researchers who are interested in (learning) a critical approach towards learning and teaching physics and in reimagining a liberatory physics learning space.
Research Space: CF 368 (Physics Education Research [PER] lab)
Prof. Thanh Lê
Prof. Lê's research interests lie within metacognitions for learning and teaching physics. Metacognition, sometimes described as “thinking about thinking,” refer to knowledge of one’s own thinking and cognitive processes and cognition regulation (e.g., planning, monitoring, and evaluating). Her goal is to build metacognitive models for physics learning that consider cognitive, affective, behavioral, and social/cultural factors.
Research Space: CF 368 (Physics Education Research [PER] lab)
Prof. Asmaa Boujibar
Prof. Boujibar studies the formation of terrestrial planets in our Solar System and beyond, as well as the raw materials from which they form. Dr Boujibar group, which includes undergraduate and geology both graduate (MSc.) students, uses laboratory experiments and numerical modeling to replicate the high pressure and temperature conditions of planetary growth. They also apply machine learning algorithms to enhance our understanding of the formation of meteorite components and the chemical reactions occurring during planetary growth and differentiation.
Research Space: ES 84D (experimental) / CF 390 (computational - 'The Planet Lab')
Prof. Melissa Rice
Prof. Rice leads the Western Mars Lab, which uses spacecraft observations and laboratory analyses to help untangle the history of water on Mars. The lab works directly with NASA's Curiosity and Perseverance rovers, which have been actively exploring Mars' geology and climate with an array of instruments collecting imaging and remote sensing data. Undergraduate and graduate (M.Sc.) students work with Prof. Rice and the Lab's scientific staff (Kristiana Lapo & Max Gabbert) to test spacecraft instruments, help operate the rovers, and analyze the data from Mars.
Research Space: CF 390 ('The Planet Lab')