Faculty and Staff

Dr. Joseph Kozminski

Professor, Department Chair
(815) 836-5393
kozminjo@lewisu.edu

Education:
Ph.D. in Experimental High Energy Physics, Michigan State University
M.S. in Physics, Michigan State University
B.S. in Physics and Mathematics, University of Notre Dame

Research Interests:

  • Climate vulnerability inputs – Air quality and urban heat islands
  • Physics and Astronomy Pedagogy
  • High Energy Physics
    • Former collaborator on Mu2e experiment at Fermilab
    • Simulation work for future Muon Collider
    • Former collaborator on the D-Zero experiment at Fermilab

Professional Positions:

  • Principle Investigator, PhysTEC Recruiting Grant # 1707990
  • Principle Investigator, NSF S-STEM Grant #2130429
  • Guest Editor, “The Physics Teacher” Special Issue on Teaching about the environment, sustainability, and climate change 
  • Vice President, Advanced Laboratory Physics Association (ALPhA)
  • Chair, Nominating Committee, American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT)
  • Section Representative to National AAPT, Chicago Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers (CSAAPT)
  • Chair, Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area (ACCA) Physics Division

Prior Experience

  • Chair, Committee on Science Education for the Public, American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT)
  • Chair, Committee on Physics in Undergraduate Education, American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT)
  • Executive Committee, AAPT Undergraduate Curriculum Task Force
  • Chair, Writing Committee, “AAPT Recommendations on the Undergraduate Physics Laboratory Curriculum”
  • Adjunct Astronomy Instructor, Triton College, River Grove, IL


Dr. Philip Chumbley

Assistant Professor
Director, 91ÖÆƬ³§ Center for Scientific Innovation

(815) 836-5787
chumblph@lewisu.edu

Education:
Ph.D.  in Physics, University of Missouri
M.S. in Physics, University of Missouri
B.S. in Engineering Physics, University of Illinois

Research Interests:

  • Thermodynamics
  • Lasers

Prior Experience

  • Research Physicist, Amoco Research Center
  • Production Manager and Product Manager, Amico Laser Company
  • Chief Engineer, Warning Systems, Inc.
  • Director of R&D and Director of Operations, Allied Precision Industries
  • Current holder of 40+ patents and numerous commercial products


James Hofmann

Instructor, Laboratory and Community Outreach Coordinator
jhofmann@lewisu.edu

Education:
M.A. in Chemical Physics, 91ÖÆƬ³§
B.S. in Physics, 91ÖÆƬ³§
B.A. in Mathematics, 91ÖÆƬ³§
B.A. in Philosophy, 91ÖÆƬ³§

Research Interests:

  • Optical Physics
  • Physics Pedagogy
  • Laboratory and Community Outreach Development

Professional Positions:

  • Faculty advisor for the 91ÖÆƬ³§ Chapter of the Society of Physics Students
  • Faculty advisor for the 91ÖÆƬ³§ Pokémon Go Club


Dr. Ryan J. Hooper

Associate Professor
(815) 836-5560
hooperry@lewisu.edu

Education: 
Ph.D. in Experimental High Energy Physics, University of Notre Dame
M.S. in Physics, University of Notre Dame
B.S. in Physics, Michigan State University

Research Interests:

  • High Energy Physics
  • Collaborator on Mu2e experiment at Fermilab
  • Physics Pedagogy
  • Propulsion Systems
  • General Relativity
  • The Physics of Baseball and Softball

Prior Experience

  • Fulltime Temporary Assistant Professor, Bradley University
  • Visiting Scientist, Brown University
  • Analysts, eServ
  • Post-Doctoral Research Faculty, Brown University


Professor Emeritus

Dr. Chuck Crowder

Professor Emeritus
crowdech@lewisu.edu

Education:
Ph.D. in Solid State Physics, University of Missouri
M.S. in Physics, University of Missouri
B.S. in Physics, University of Missouri

Research Interests:

  • Lasers and Fiber Optics
  • Optical Telecommunication Systems
  • Developing and Tying Highly Effective Flies for Catching Large Trout and Other Salmonoids.


Dr. Leonard Weisenthal

Professor Emeritus
weisenle@lewisu.edu

Education:
Ph.D. in Theoretical Solid State Physics, Wayne State University
B.A. in Physics, Wayne State University

Research Interests:

  • Computational Physics and Modeling
  • Aviation Physics
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