I am a physicist interested in problems in nuclear structure. Nuclei have internal structures just like atoms or molecules. They can be in excited states and release excess energy via the emission of a gamma ray (which is a form of electromagnetic radiation like light or radio waves, but with much greater energy). I am a gamma-ray spectroscopist. I enjoy learning about nuclei from the gamma rays that they emit. I also sometimes learn about them from the particles that they emit.
I have a gamma detector in my lab here at Saint Mary's. Most of my research just now involves experiments that use accelerated atoms. Those experiments happen off-campus at places like TRIUMF, Texas A&M, or GANIL. Some of my research includes the recent M.Sc. thesis work of Andrew Valencik; that's another kettle of fish again, exploring a big dataset.
I am also interested in Physics Education and Physics Education Research. I am the 2019 winner of the Father Steward Medal for Excellence in Teaching. If you're interested in the education side of things, have a look at the AAPT or the Division of Physics Education at the CAP. You can find out about the courses I teach by following the link in the menu.
My Erdös-Bacon-Sabbath number is 12.