Faculty Highlights
Associate Professor
Associate Professor Yuri Gartstein’s research interests cover various aspects of theory and modeling of electronic, optical, transport and mechanical properties of novel and synthetic materials and structures. His work is applied to carbon nanotubes, organic solids, conjugated polymers, disordered molecular systems and unconventional superconductors. He is also interested in physics of devices on the basis of such materials, including organic light-emitting diodes, electromechanical actuators and solar cells.
Cecil and Ida Green Honors Professor of Physics
Distinguished Chair in Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Director, William B. Hanson Center for Space Sciences
With interests that range from planet-star interaction to finding the differences between planets with magnetic fields, Cecil and Ida Green Honors Professor of Physics Rod Heelis measures weather in space using sophisticated instruments that fly on satellite “space labs.” He creates computer models that predict phenomena affecting space-based assets.
Associate Professor
Conducting research “at the intersection of modern cosmology and general relativity,” Associate Professor Mustapha Ishak-Boushaki investigates whether the acceleration of the expansion of the universe is caused by “dark energy” or by modifications to gravity.
Professor
Collaborating on the ATLAS experiment at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider, Professor Joe Izen works at the high energy frontier of elementary particle physics, pursuing further evidence for the Higgs boson, as well as investigating dark matter and micro black holes. He’s also recognized as one of the most dedicated teachers in the University of Texas System.
Associate Professor
Atmospheric scientist David Lary’s research centers on the use of observation, automation and remote sensing to facilitate scientific discovery and societal benefit, from using robotic helicopters to study atmospheric composition, land use and ocean ecosystems, to monitoring global levels of airborne particulates known to impact human health. A former NASA scientist, he is founding director of the Center for Multi-scale Intelligent Integrated Interactive Sensing.
Anton Malko
Associate Professor
With diverse research interests spanning physics, nano-optics, engineering and cell science, Assistant Professor Anton Malko applies spectroscopic techniques to a variety of projects, including constructing and characterizing a new generation of solar cells based on quantum dots.
Associate Professor
Based at the William B. Hanson Center for Space Sciences, Assistant Professor Fabiano Rodrigues explores the upper atmosphere using ground-based radars and GPS signals, research that is helping to better characterize the physics of ionospheric disturbances and their potential impact on global communication and navigation.
