Professor, Physics and Director, Dual-Degree Engineering
Teaching
I enjoy teaching a wide variety of physics courses within the physics major, at both the introductory and upper levels, as well as courses for non-science majors. I particularly like integrating lab experiments and lecture demonstrations with lecture material and interactive problem solving sessions. Recent courses taught include General University Physics, College Physics, Modern Physics, Electromagnetic Theory, Experimental Physics, and Physics of Music.
Research in Musical Acoustics
My lab is devoted to experimental research in the field of musical acoustics. I specialize in the use of optical techniques to study the vibrations of musical instruments, with an emphasis on instruments of the percussion family. Recent research projects have involved the physics of drums, crotales, cymbals, vibraphone bars, and the musical saw.
Student Research
I frequently supervise undergraduate students engaged in research projects involving musical acoustics. Student research typically includes the use of optical interferometry in the lab, along with numerical modeling using finite element analysis software. Students present the results of their summer research projects on campus each fall, and often at regional and national conferences as well.
Physics Pedagogy
I am active in the physics education community, participating in American Association of Physics Teachers conferences as well as "education in acoustics" sessions of the ASA. I enjoy developing and presenting new ideas for lab experiments, demonstrations, and classroom teaching methods.