Physics Faculty and Staff

Please see below for Adjunct & Emeritus Faculty or Department Staff.

Chair

Philip Johnson Associate Professor and Department Chair, Physics CAS | Physics

Philip Johnson received his PhD in theoretical physics from the University of Maryland in 2000, as a member of the Gravitational Theory Group working on problems at the interaction of general relativi…

Ìý pjohnson@american.edu

Ìý (202) 885-2761

Full-Time Faculty

Aaron Grocholski Senior Professorial Lecturer CAS | Physics

Aaron Grocholski is a Professorial Lecturer at Â鶹ÊÓƵ focusing on teaching Introductory Astronomy, Astrophysics, and a complex problems class he developed called "Asteroid Apocalypse" whi…

Ìý grochols@american.edu

Silvina Guidoni Assistant Professor CAS | Physics

Professor Silvina Guidoni is a theoretical and computational heliophysicist who focuses on the study of solar flares and coronal mass ejections (the most powerful bursts in the solar system). These so…

Ìý guidoni@american.edu

Ìý (202) 885-2728

Gregory Harry Professor CAS | Physics

Gregg Harry works to detect gravitational waves from supernovas, neutron stars, pulsars, and possibly the Big Bang.Ìý In this way, he is testing Einstein’s theory of gravity against Newton’s. An astrop…

Ìý harry@american.edu

Ìý (202) 885-3566

Nathan Harshman Professor CAS | Physics

Nathan Harshman is a mathematical and theoretical physicist specializing in the study of symmetry in quantum systems. He has published articles and book chapters across the subject of quantum physics,…

Ìý harshman@american.edu

Ìý (202) 885-6300

Johannes Ulf Lange Assistant Professor CAS | Physics

Johannes Lange is an astrophysicist interested in galaxies, cosmology, and machine learning. His work focuses on analyzing large astronomical data sets to extract fundamental insights into our Univers…

Ìý jlange@american.edu

Teresa Larkin Associate Professor CAS | Physics

Teresa L. Larkin is an Associate Professor of Physics Education at Â鶹ÊÓƵ and Director of the Dual-Degree Program in affiliation with Columbia University’s School of Engineering and Appli…

Ìý tlarkin@american.edu

Ìý (202) 885-2766

Jessica Uscinski Hurst Senior Professorial Lecturer CAS | Physics

Jessica Uscinski recently joined the Physics Department at Â鶹ÊÓƵ as an Assistant Professor in Fall 2008. She received her PhD in Theoretical Physics from the University of Arizona in 200…

Ìý uscinski@american.edu

Ìý (202) 885-3505

Adjunct & Emeritus Faculty

Harold Geller Adjunct Assistant Professor CAS | Physics

Geller is Associate Professor Emeritus, George Mason University (GMU); Adjunct Professor, Â鶹ÊÓƵ (Â鶹ÊÓƵ); and, Solar System Ambassador, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Previous academic appo…

Ìý hgeller@american.edu

Ìý (202) 885-2741

Joe Prendergast Adjunct Instructor CAS | Physics

Joe's work focuses on radio detection and analysis ofÌý cataclysmic variable stars, radio telescopes and mitigation of radio frequency interference, and Julia language development.

Ìý prenderg@american.edu

Department Staff

Riya Ashby Senior Administrative Assistant CAS | Physics

In-office Tuesday-Thursday, come say hi! I love art, dance, martial arts, and the wonders of space and physics. Email me questions anytime.

Ìý ashby@american.edu

Ìý (202) 885-2741