Faculty and Staff
Full Time Faculty
 |
Dr Michael G. Cherney, Professor. Mike teaches general physics, nuclear physics, and quantum mechanics. He is also the head of the high-energy research group. He studied at Marquette and the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
|
|
 |
Dr. Sam J. Cipolla, Professor has been the director of our physics graduate program since 1981. Sam teaches general physics and nuclear instruments and methods, and does research in atomic physics. Most recently this has included modeling of solar proton-induced x-ray production on inter-planetary bodies. He studied at Purdue University.
|
|
 |
Dr. Gintaras Duda, Associate Professor joined the faculty in 2003. His research interests are in the field of astro-particle physics, an interdisciplinary field which attempts to solve problems in astronomy using particle physics solutions. He is interested in such problems as the characterization and detection of dark matter, high energy cosmic ray showers, and the physics of massive neutrinos, all of which are explored through computer based calculations as well as pencil and paper theory. Gintaras is currently teaching general physics and quantum mechanics. Gintaras studied at UCLA. | |
 |
Dr. Jack Gabel, Assistant Professor. Jack joined the department in 2006 when Dr. Kennedy became interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Jack is currently teaching general physics and an advanced observational astronomy lab course. His research is in observational astrophysics, with his recent studies focusing on quasars and active galactic nuclei. His primary research tools are UV, optical, and IR spectral data obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope and other space-based and large ground-based observatories. He studied at Creighton University and The Catholic University of America
|
|
 |
Rev. Thomas S. McShane, S.J., Assistant Professor. Fr. McShane teaches electronics and is part of the high energy nuclear physics research group. His diverse research interests include Cosmic Ray Astrophysics and Cellular Automata. He studied at St. Louis University. | |
 |
Dr. Michael G. Nichols, Associate Professor. Mike teaches physical optics, optics lab, physics in medicine, and introduction to biological physics. His research interests include biophysics, medical physics and the application of lasers and physical optics to problems in medicine and biology. He studied at Harvey Mudd College and the University of Rochester. | |
 |
Dr. Janet E. Seger, Professor has been Department Chairperson since 2006, having been co-chairman for the department since 2000. Janet teaches general physics, modern physics and is part of the high energy research group. Recently her research effort has been focused on ultra-peripheral heavy ion collisions measured by the STAR collaboration at RHIC. She studied at Grinell College and the University of Wisconsin, Madison. | |
 |
Dr. David L. Sidebottom, Associate Professor. David joined us in 2002. Before coming to Omaha he was an Associate Research Professor at the Univeristy of New Mexico and Sandia National Labs. David is currently the Assistant Chairman, and teaches general physics and electricity and magnetism and is active in his material science research lab. His research efforts concern the material properties of glasses, including the fundamental dyanmics of the glass transition and the technological application of glasses. David studied at Kansas State University. |
|
 |
Dr. Patricia Soto, Assistant Professor. Patricia joined Creighton in August 2007. Her research interests are focused on understanding the biophysical principles that govern protein dynamics by using computer simulations. Patricia did her undergraduate studies in Colombia, her home country; her graduate studies in The Netherlands and post-graduate training at University of California-Santa Barbara. |
|
Visiting Faculty
 |
Dr. Yuri Gorbunov received his M.S. from MEPHI (Moscow, Russia ) and Ph.D. from Siegen University (Siegen, Germany). He teaches computational physics and works with the High Energy Nuclear Physics Group in the area of ultra-peripheral collisions of relativistic nuclei and process control systems . | |
| Dr. Kithsiri Jayananda received his B.Sc. from University of Colombo, Sri Lanka and M.S. & Ph.D. From University of Pittsburgh, U.S.A. He is working with the High Energy Nuclear Physics Group in the areas of detector control systems and ultra-peripheral collisions of relativistic nuclei, under sabbatical leave from University of Colombo. |
||
Adjunct Faculty
Mr. David J. Kriegler teaches astronomy. Dave studied at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Mr. David R. Stuva teaches general physics. Dave studied at Creighton University.
Ms. Joanne Langabee teaches our Teaching Physics Class (PHY 585).
Emeritus Faculty
 |
Dr. Robert E. Kennedy, Associate Professor and Dean Emeritus, was chairman of the physics department from 1973 to 1981 and 1993 to 2006. In 2006, Dr. Kennedy became the Interim Dean of the CAS. Dr. Kennedy retired in July 2008. Before this, Bob taught thermodynamics and statistical mechanics and courses in sound and music and Einstein. His research is in the history and philosophy of physics. He studied at Notre Dame University. | |
 |
Dr. Thomas H. Zepf, Professor Emeritus . After 40 years of service to the physics department and Creighton University, Tom retired at the end of the 2001-2002 academic year. Tom continues to remain active by contributing his services, among other things as principal writer and editor of the Physics Newsletter, president of the Creighton University Retirees Organization, and a member of the University Benefits Committee. Tom chaired the physics department from 1963 to 1973 and from 1981 to 1993. From 1975 to 1981 he was chief health professions advisor for the College of Arts and Sciences. Tom received Creighton University's Distinguished Faculty Service Award in 1987 and the Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1997. His research is in condensed matter physics and laser optics. Tom did his undergraduate studies at Xavier University in Cincinnati and his graduate studies at Saint Louis University. |
|
Staff
 |
Mrs. Michelle Pope, Administrative Assistant, joined us officially in 2003. Formally from Phoenix Arizona, Michelle has been a rresident of Nebraska for sixteen years. She is married to Jerry Edward Pope with two children Julianne 11 and Douglas 8. Previously, Michelle, worked for Peter Kiewit Son's, Inc. corporate offices, in the Marketing Department. Michelle graduated from the College of Saint Mary with a B.S. in Business Leadership, cum laude. She is the coordinator of the Ministry of Mothers Sharing Program (MOMS) at St. Gerald Catholic Church in Ralston, enjoys old friends, leisure reading and traveling.
|
|
|
Mr. Robert F. Stoffel, Laboratory Supervisor since 1987. Bob started as Physics Shop Technician in 1968.
|
||
 |
Mr. Brad D. Walters, Science Research Technician since 1990. Click here to see the Piranha, Brad's favorite toy. | |