Teaching
As part of the Particle Theory Group at Virginia Tech, I currently supervise several postdoctoral researchers, PhD students, and undergraduate research students at Virginia Tech:
Postdoctoral Researchers
Current Postdocs:- Xingyang Yu
- Andrew Turner (now in industry)
- Callum Brodie (now in finance)
- Paul Oehlmann (now research faculty at UC Santa Barbara)
- Nikhil Raghuram (now in Silicon Valley)
- Seung-Joo Lee (now faculty at the Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, South Korea)
- Xin Gao (now faculty at Sichuan University, Sichuan, China)
Graduate Students
Current Graduate Students:- Sunit Patil
- He Feng. Graduated with a PhD in Physics in 2019
- Mohsen Karkheiran. Graduated with a PhD in Physics in 2020.
- Fabio Apruzzi (co-supervised with James Gray). Visiting student from the Liebniz University of Hannover in 2014. Completed PhD in 2015.
- Nick Gray (co-supervised with James Gray). Graduated with an MS in Physics in 2015.
- Brian Hammack (co-supervised with James Gray). Graduated with an MS in Physics in 2018.
Undergraduate Research Students (Co-Supervised with James Gray)
- Donovan Buterakos (Fall 2014 and Spring 2015). Goldwater Scholarship Recipient 2015. Physics Valedictorian, Class of 2016.
- Kyle Stewart (Fall 2014 and Spring 2015). Physics Valedictorian, Class of 2015.
- Joon Won Park (Fall 2015 and Spring 2016). Grant Scholarship 2015.
- Brian Hammack (Fall 2016). Physics Valedictorian Class of 2017. Grant Scholarship in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018.
- Dylan Bloodworth (Fall 2021, Spring 2022). Physics Valedictorian Class of 2022.
- Nathan Tompkins (Fall 2021, Spring 2022). Physics Valedictorian Class of 2022.
Teaching at Virginia Tech
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I teach in the Department of Physics and the Academy of Integrated Science at Virginia Tech. Through my work with the Integrated Science Curriculum, I have explored a novel, interdisciplinary approach to teaching introductory science. In this context, I am interested in modern teaching pedagogies - including interactive, student-centric learning, and SCALE-UP environments. Courses taught include:
- PHYS 2074 Highlights of Contemporary Physics (Special Relativity Module) (Fall 2017)
- Physics 2305 Foundations of Physics I (Spring 2014, Fall 2019, )
- ISC 1105 Integrated Science I (Fall 2014,2015, 2016, 2018)
- ISC 1106 Integrated Science II (Spring 2015)
- PHYS 3355 Intermediate Mechanics (Fall 2020, 2021,2022, 2023)
- PHYS 4674 An Introduction to General Relativity (Spring 2016, 2017, 2020,2021,2022)
- PHYS 5674 Intermediate General Relativity (Spring 2016, 2017, 2020,2021,2022)
- PHYS 5944 Introduction to Research II (Graduate Seminar) (Fall 2017 and Spring 2018).
- PHYS 5974 Independent Study (on Symmetries and Lie Algebras in Physics) (Fall 2017)
International Graduate Lecture Courses
I have also given several recent lecture series for graduate students:- (2023) One week lecture series on "Machine Learning for Calabi-Yau Metrics," 2023 Summer School on Machine Learning in Mathematics and Theoretical Physics ,University of Oxford, UK.
- (2019) Three week lectures series on "Gauge Theory, Gravitation, and Geometry", at the IAS Park City Mathematics Institute (PCMI) Park City, Utah.
- (2018) One week lecture series on "Heterotic Geometry and Effective Theories," 2018 CERN Winter School on Supergravity, Strings, and Gauge Theory. CERN (Geneva, Switzerland).
- (2017) One week lecture series on "Geometric Tools for String Compactifications," TASI 2017 (Theoretical Advanced Studies Institute), University of Colorado, Boulder.
- (2016) One week lecture series on "Calabi-Yau Geometry and String Dualities," Cargese Summer School on Quantum Gravity, Cosmology and Particle Physics (Cargese, Corsica).
- (2012) One week lecture series on "Heterotic String Compactifications," Strings to the LHC Workshop (Puri, India). Organized by Harish-Chandra Research Institute and the Tata Institute for Fundamental Research.
- (2012) One week lecture series on "Calabi-Yau Geometry," Graduate Summer School on String Phenomenology. Held at the Simons Center for Geometry and Physics.
Other Teaching Experience
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Over the course of my PhD, I had extensive teaching experience in the UK at the University of Oxford. This culminated in the final two years of my PhD, during which time I held a Stipendiary Lectureship in Applied Mathematics (covering teaching duties for a faculty member on leave). My duties included lectures and Tutorials and serving on the Committee for Undergraduate Admissions (2006-2007). Wrote entrance exam questions and conducted hundreds of interviews of prospective students.
(2006-2008) Stipendiary Lectureship in Applied Mathematics
- Lectureship in Applied Mathematics at Pembroke College, University of Oxford. Responsibilities included teaching all 1st and 2nd year Applied Mathematics subjects (responsible for 16 subjects, lectures and tutorials).
(2006) Stipendiary Lectureship in Applied Mathematics
- Lectureship in Applied Mathematics at Somerville College, University of Oxford. Responsibilities included teaching all 2nd-4th Applied Maths and Physics subjects (including General Relativity and Quantum Mechanics).
(2005-2006) Retained Tutorial/Lecturing Positions
- At the following Colleges at the University of Oxford (mathematics/physics):
- Brasenose College
- St. Edmund Hall
- Worcester College
- Somerville College
- Lady Margaret Hall
- Exeter College Subjects taught included 1st and 2nd year Calculus, Linear Algebra, Real Analysis, Probability, Statistics, Differential Equations (ODES and PDEs), Classical Mechanics (1st and 2nd year), Quantum Mechanics, Fluid Dynamics, Electromagnetism (2nd and 3rd year), Special Relativity, General Relativity.
(2004-2006) Teaching Assistant, Mathematical Institute, Univeristy of Oxford
- Undergraduate and graduate level teaching assistant in the Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford. Lecturing, problem classes, and marking student work:
- Quantum Mechanics
- Special and General Relativity
- Electromagnetism
(2005-2006) Private Tutor for students at Eton College
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Provided review and prepared pupils from Eton College for mathematics exams.
(2005) Faculty Member, the Oxford Tradition
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As a faculty member for The Oxford Tradition (a part of Oxbridge Academic Programs), independently designed and taught an intensive, one month (85 lecture-hour) summer course in Quantum Physics for talented international high school students.
(2004) Teaching Assistant in Physics
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Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Utah State University, Department of Physics. Responsibilities included teaching recitation (problem) classes and laboratories, marking student work, and tutoring.
Science Outreach and Advocacy
(2025) Featured Guest on Star Talk
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Featured Guest on Neil Degrasse Tyson's Star Talk podcast. Video available on Youtube.
(2020-present) Support for Caregivers at Virginia Tech
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I wrote a proposal and advocated for the creation of a program to help support professional travel for caregivers at Virginia Tech (both childcare and eldercare). The high expense of childcare during professional/research travel can be a barrier to success for junior researchers with caregiving responsibilities. This proposal was implemented by Virginia Tech in 2022. More details can be found here
(2021-present) Peer Mentoring in the Department of Physics
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With Alma Robinson, I developed a new peer mentoring program for undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Physics at Virginia Tech (with a goal of supporting underrepresented students in physics).
(2022-present) String Mentoring Program
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I have an ongoing role as a mentor with the String Theory Mentoring program.
(2017) Co-organizer of the Undergraduate Conference for Women in Physics at Virginia Tech
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With Giti Khodaparast, I organized an APS Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics at Virginia Tech in 2017.
(2016) Speaker at the Undergraduate Conference for Women in Physics at Old Dominion University
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Speaker on "Skills for Resumes, Interviews and Job Talks in Science" at the 2016 CUWiP Conference at Old Dominion University and Jefferson Labratory.
(2015-present) Women in High Energy Physics Network
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I serve as a volunteer mentor in the Women in High Energy Physics network.
(2015) Summer Bridge Program, Virginia Tech
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In August 2015, I gave talks on Physics/Mathematics as part of the Virginia Tech Summer Bridge Program. An initiative that helps prepare students in the physical and quantitative sciences prepare for their first semester at university.
(2015-present) African Scholars Network
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I am a participant in the "African Scholars Network", providing career/CV advice to African scientists applying for PhD/Postdoctoral/Faculty positions.
(2013-present) Mentor for Physics Students at Virginia Tech
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I am a participant/mentor with the Ladies of Robeson Society for Undergraduate Women in Physics and the Society of Physics Students at Virginia Tech. Provide mentoring and organize GRE preparation sessions.
(2013-present) Virginia Tech Undergraduate Honors Program
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I serve as a mentor for the Virginia Tech Undergraduate Honors Program and panelist for the Honors Odyssey Fellowships.
(2011-2013) Physics TheoryNet
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As a member of the Boston TheoryNet, I served as a science outreach lecturer in public schools in the Boston area. Numerous visits and talks on subjects ranging from Black Holes to the Higgs Boson, the life of a scientist to applying to universities.
(2005-2008) Researchers in Residence (UK)
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I was a participant in the Researchers in Residence program. This project of the UK National Research Councils places science researchers in secondary schools for outreach lectures, projects and demonstrations. Overal several years, numerous visits and partnerships with primary and secondary level schools.
(2005) Physics and Sustainable Development
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United States Delegate to the World Conference on Physics and Sustainable Development. Delegate and presenter at UNESCO funded conference. Durban, South Africa. Presentation: "Sharing the Mystery - Outreach Ideas in Modern Physics".
(2004) Road Scholars Tour
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Lecturer in the Utah State University 2004 Road Scholars Tour. An educational outreach tour of Utah Secondary Schools. Delivered talks and lectures in schools on topics in modern physics.
(2003) Science Recruitment
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Narrator and co-designer of the Utah State Universtiy College of Science's "Think Science" undergraduate recruitment video.
(2003) Community Science Workshop
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Organizer and creator of the "Cool Ideas in Science!"
workshop in Utah. A two-day community workshop for students of all ages and their families, providing hands-on exploration of fundamental ideas in science and examples of exciting current research.
(1999-2003) Mentor for Boy Scouts of America
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Science and Mathematics Mentor for the Boy Scouts of America (Logan, UT). Designed educational science/mathematics based activities.