Astro-particle physics is an interdisciplinary and quickly expanding field which applies theoretical particle physics solutions to astrophysical problems. Exampes of research in astro-particle physics includes dark matter, dark energy, cosmic ray fluxes, neutrino masses, and large scale structure of the universe (and many more). 

I currently have four students working with me in the astro-particle research group at Creighton.  Katherine Garrett (an undergraduate) is examining the production of neutralinos in non-standard cosmologies with an early decaying, heavy, scalar field.  Mark Pepin (an undergraduate) is examining Kaluza-Klein dark matter.  Ross DeVol (an undergraduate) and Aruna Wanninayake (a graduate student from Sri Lanka) are joining our group this semester (fall 2009).

Dr. Duda and undergraduate Katherine Garrett from a photoshoot for the Creighton Magazine.

Our research was profiled as part of a piece on undergraduate research in the Arts and Sciences college.

How can I get involved?  Students typically join our research group by first conducting a reading course over a semester - students will read about the "big ideas" in cosmology, including cosmic expansion, dark matter and dark energy, extra dimensions, etc.  Once a sufficient number of upper division physics courses have been completed, students will be assigned a research project and will work closely with Dr. Duda and other students in the research group.  If you're interested, please stop by, send an e-mail, or stop Dr. Duda in the hallway.