Faculty Research Interests

Experimental research on conductive polymers and soliton formation.

Computational astrophysics research on understanding star-formation, both through theoretical studies and the application of models to interpreting ground- and space-based observations of these regions.

Currently interested in the correlations between electron motions in atoms and negative ions. Uses lasers on campus and high-energy x-ray beams at the Advanced Light Source (Berkeley Lab) to investigate negative ion detachment processes.

Studies active galaxies and relativistic jets from supermassive black holes using a variety of techniques, including radio interferometry, polarimetry, radiative transfer, and simulations.

Experimental research on biophysics of human movement, specializing in the biomechanics of dance.

Experimental research on atomic ion laser cooling and trapping, quantum optics, and quantum information.

Computational research on molecular machinery, biocomplexity, and the physics of cellular functions. Current emphasis is on chaperonins and molecular motors, studying the connection between the machines’ structure, internal dynamics, and function.

Experimental research on negative ion spectroscopy, atomic and molecular structure, and dynamics. Studies how electrons interact at the quantum level using lasers on-campus and high-energy synchrotron light at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab.