Physics Faculty

Physics Faculty

Dr. Andrew G. Baruth, Associate Professor, joined us in July 2012. Andrew's research interests include directed self-assembly of block copolymers for nanolithography, nanomagnetism and magnetic heterostructures, as well as developing low cost, earth abundant, sulfide-based photovoltaic thin films. He studied at Doane College and the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. He did post-doctoral work at the University of Minnesota. He is currently teaching General Physics, Introduction to Solar Energy, History and Technology in the Modern World, Installation and Maintenance of Photovoltaic Systems, Convection and Passive Solar Energy Systems, Seminar in Engineering, and Introduction to Photovoltaic Materials.

Dr. Gintaras Duda, Professor (and department chair) joined the faculty in 2003. Dr. Duda became chair of the physics department in 2016. His research interests are in the field of astro-particle physics, an interdisciplinary field which attempts to solve problems in astronomy using particle physics solutions. He is interested in such problems as the characterization and detection of dark matter, high energy cosmic ray showers, and the physics of massive neutrinos, all of which are explored through computer based calculations as well as pencil and paper theory. Gintaras is currently teaching general physics and quantum mechanics. Gintaras studied at UCLA.
 
Dr. Andrew Ekpenyong

Dr. Andrew Ekpenyong, Assistant Professor. Fr Andrew joined the faculty in 2014. He teaches Quantum Mechanics, Radiation Dosimetry, Nuclear Instruments and Methods as well as General Physics. His research is in the field of biomedical physics with a translational focus. For instance, he has developed microfluidic mimetics enabling in vitro modelling of the human pulmonary microcirculation with potential impact on the clinical management of lung diseases, inflammatory disorders and cancer metastasis. A Creighton alumnus, Fr Andrew earned his PhD from the University of Cambridge, UK, and did postdoctoral work at Technische Universität, Dresden, Germany.

Dr. Gabel
Dr. Jack Gabel, Associate Professor, joined the faculty in 2006. He teaches astrophysics, electricity and magnetism, general physics and astronomy.  His research field is astrophysics, with his recent efforts focused on quasar accretion and outflow processes using ultraviolet, optical and infrared spectra from the Hubble Space Telescope and large ground-based observatories.  He is the director of the Creighton Robotic Telescope Facility.  Jack did his graduate studies at The Catholic University of America and undergraduate studies at Creighton.
Dr. Michael G. Nichols, Professor. Mike teaches physical optics, optics lab, laser physics, physics in medicine, and introduction to biological physics. He has been Director of the Graduate Program since 2011. His research interests include biophysics, medical physics and the application of lasers and physical optics to problems in medicine and biology. He studied at Harvey Mudd College and the University of Rochester, and was an NIH Postdoctoral fellow at Cornell University prior to joining the faculty at Creighton.
 
Dr. Janet E. Seger, Professor was the Department Chairperson from 2006-2016, having been co-chairman for the department since 2000. Janet teaches general physics, modern physics and is part of the high energy research group. Recently her research effort has been focused on ultra-peripheral heavy ion collisions measured by the STAR collaboration at RHIC. She studied at Grinell College and the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Dr. David L. Sidebottom, Professor. David joined us in 2002. Before coming to Omaha he was an Associate Research Professor at the Univeristy of New Mexico and Sandia National Labs. David is currently the Assistant Chairman, and teaches general physics and electricity and magnetism and is active in his material science research lab. His research efforts concern the material properties of glasses, including the fundamental dyanmics of the glass transition and the technological application of glasses. David studied at Kansas State University.

Dr. Patricia Soto, Associate Professor. Patricia joined Creighton in August 2007. Her research focuses on deciphering the biophysical principles that drive protein misshaping and toxic clumping in neurodegenerative diseases. Her research technique includes structural bioinformatics and high performance computing. Patricia is engaged in scholarship of teaching and learning at the interface between physical and life sciences; and on scholarship of undergraduate research. Patricia did her undergraduate studies in Colombia, her home country; her doctoral studies in The Netherlands and postdoctoral work at University of California-Santa Barbara.

Dr. Wong
Dr. Thomas G. Wong, Assistant Professor. Tom joined the department in 2017, and he teaches general physics and quantum mechanics. His research is on quantum computing, which utilizes quantum systems in order to solve problems faster than traditional computers. Tom completed his undergraduate studies at Santa Clara University, graduate studies at the University of California, San Diego, and postdoctoral research at the University of Latvia and the University of Texas at Austin.
 

Dr. Jonathan Wrubel, Associate Professor, joined the faculty in 2012.  His research is in the field of ultracold atomic physics and Bose-Einstein condensates.  The BEC is a gaseous state of matter that forms at temperatures less than a millionth of a degree above absolute zero.  Jonathan is interested in the physics of interactions between these quantum superfluids, which are present in what are called spinor BECs.  He is also keenly interested in issues of science and faith.  Jonathan studied at Cornell University, with postdoctoral work at Harvard University and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

 

admin Sat, 06/07/2008 - 22:33