Biography

If you're reading this, you must be a little bit curious about me and my background. I received my PhD in 2012 from Kansas State University. My primary specialization is Physics Education Research (PER) and I performed my doctoral research working in the K-State Physics Education Research Group. My research focused on the exploration of effective use of video and interactive technologies in online learning environments. My research interests continue to focus on how to promote student engagement with physics content via novel and interactive learning/teaching technologies.

Prior to working in physics education I have been active in Atomic Molecular and Optical (AMO) physics research. I did this as a masters student at the J.R. MacDonald Laboratory for Atomic Physics in Manhattan, Kansas, as an engineering technology specialist at General Dynamics in Ypsilanti, Michigan and as an undergraduate researcher at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. AMO physics continues to be an area of interest for my research activities at Saginaw Valley State University.

I have taught physics as a graduate student at Kansas State University, adjunct instructor at Cloud County Community College and assistant professor at Saginaw Valley State University. I am interested in teaching across the whole range of the physics curriculum, from conceptual physics for students in non-technical majors to upper-division courses targeted at physics majors.

I am always interested in talking about ideas related to physics teaching and research, and working with students to develop interesting independent study, honors or research projects.