Department of Physics and Astronomy

I have been an astronomy researcher in France, England, and Australia. My astronomy research interests are in early-type galaxies, and objects in our outer solar system. I have taught physics and astronomy as an adjunct at Queen's University, online astronomy, and high school in Ontario and Istanbul. I currently teach university transfer courses in physics and astronomy at Okanagan College, and am the Chair of the OCFA's Human Rights and International Solidarity Committee. I enjoy astronomy and physics outreach, and am also involved in social justice and sustainability initiatives at the College and in the Kelowna community.

Credentials:
PhD, Education, Queen's University
BEd, Education, Queen's University
PhD, Astrophysics, Queen's University
MSc, Astrophysics, Queen's University
BSc, Physics, University of Alberta

I joined the Physics and Astronomy Department at Okanagan College in September, 2014.

Credentials:
MSc, Interdisciplinary Studies (Astrophysics), UBC Okanagan
BSc (Hons), Physics, UBC Okanagan

I received my PhD in Astrophysics from York University (Toronto) in 2003. My thesis focused on observational support of NASA’s Gravity Probe B (GP-B) mission. I continued with GP-B as a postdoc between 2003 and 2006, working with radio astronomy groups at York University and the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. I moved to Penticton in 2007 to join the Canadian Galactic Plane Survey team at the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory (DRAO). I started a continuing faculty position at Okanagan College in August 2008. I maintain a Visiting Scientist position at DRAO, studying, when time permits, old planetary nebulae.

Credentials:
PhD, Astrophysics, York University
MSc, Astrophysics, York University
BSc, Space and Communications Sciences, York University

I grew up in the Okanagan, left for university, and came back 20 years later, having achieved my goal of being a professional radio astronomer. On the way I lived in interesting places like California, England, and Puerto Rico. I joined Okanagan College in 2013.

Credentials:
PhD, Physics (Specialization in Radio Astronomy), University of Calgary

In a past life, I did research in experimental quantum optics. My thesis focused on generating entangled photon sources.

Having experienced life as an international student and “outsider” for almost a decade in Germany, the US, and Canada, I empathize deeply with minority students. I’m passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion, and making physics more fun - ask me about the quantum physics book I translated!

I joined the Department of Physics and Astronomy in January 2021. I am excited to grow my career at Okanagan College and share my unique perspective to help students make sense of - and thrive in - an increasingly complex world.

After receiving B.Sc. (Hons) from University of Saskatchewan (U of S), I perused Ph.D. in Solid State Physics also at U of S. My research during graduate studies involved discovering the relationship between structural and electronic properties of novel bulk and low-dimensional materials using:

• Synchrotron based X-ray spectroscopic techniques.

• Quantum mechanical theoretical simulations based on density functional theory.

I enjoy teaching as it provides me the opportunity to change lives. I have taught Physics at Okanagan College for two years.

Credentials:
Ph.D., Solid State Physics & Material Science, University of Saskatchewan
B.Sc. (Hons), Concentration in Theoretical Physics, University of Saskatchewan