Who is that in the lab?
Group photo on recent trip to JPL (Aug 2022). Top L-R: Andrew, Dustin, Judith, Carlo, Lena, Lee. Bottom L-R: Dr. Mossman, Danielle. Not pictured: Brandon, David, and Shaw.
Principle Investigator (PI)
Prof. Mossman – Standing inside a Cray-1 supercomputer at NCAR during one of her many research trips to Boulder, CO.
Prof. Maren Mossman (she/her/hers) (CV)
Contact Prof. Mossman
How long have you been at USD? I joined USD in Fall 2020 as the Clare Boothe Luce Assistant Professor of Physics.
Where did you do your graduate work? I completed my Masters [2016] and PhD [2019] at Washington State University.
What was your major in undergrad? BS in Physics with minors in Astronomy and Math from Washington State University in 2012.
What is your favorite thing to do in San Diego? I love taking my kids to the Zoo and walking around Balboa playing Pokemon Go with my husband.
What else should should someone know about you? In addition to being an enthusiastic experimentalist, I am an avid coffee drinker, runner, and a mom to two tiny humans and a treeing walker coonhound pup. I am also a passionate advocate for and supporter of women and underrepresented minorities in physics.
Post-Bachelor Scholars
Judith Gonzalez Sorribes
Judith Gonzalez Sorribes (FA21 – present)
How long have you been at USD? I started at USD as a transfer student in Spring ’21 and graduated in with a BS in Physics in Spring ’22.
What are you working on in the lab? I will be helping to plan, collect, and analyze data for the NASA Cold Atom Lab project and will also be leading efforts to set up the opto-mechanical laser-cooling setup for Rb-87.
What are your future plans? Go to graduate school for physics or engineering starting in Fall ’23.
What is your favorite thing to do in San Diego? Playing soccer.
Danielle Smith
Danielle Smith (she/her/hers) (SU21 – Present)
What is your projected graduation date? Fall ’22
What are you working on in the lab? Ultra-high vacuum system development.
What are you majoring in? Physics and Mechanical Engineering
What is your favorite thing to do in San Diego? Surfing
Student Researchers
Lee Lennon
Lee Lennon (she/her/hers) (SP21 – SP22)
What is your projected graduation date? Fall ’22 (ROTC)
What are you working on in the lab? Model and design of the 2D magneto-optical trap coils
What are you majoring in? Physics and Mechanical Engineering with minors in Naval Science and Mathematics
What is your favorite thing to do in San Diego? Petting dogs at Balboa Park or surfing.
Carlo Sanchez
Carlo Sanchez (SU21 – Present)
What is your projected graduation date? Spring ’23
What are you working on in the lab? Image analysis graphic interface. Machining.
What are you majoring in? Physics and Mechanical Engineering with minors in Finance and Music
What is your favorite thing to do in San Diego? Going to the Zoo and watching the sunset at the beach.
Dustin Greenwood
Dustin Greenwood (SU22 – Present)
What is your projected graduation date? Spring ’23
What are you working on in the lab? Laser intensity control systems, tapered amplifier systems, computer control systems.
What are you majoring in? Physics and Electrical Engineering
What is your favorite thing to do in San Diego? Going to dog beach and trying new food around the city
Brandon Eickert
Brandon Eickert (SU22 – Present)
What is your projected graduation date? Spring ’23
What are you working on in the lab? Laser-safety control systems, computer control systems, tunable lens system.
What are you majoring in? Physics and Electrical Engineering
What is your favorite thing to do in San Diego? —
Andrew Jockelle
Andrew Jockelle (SU22 – Present)
What is your projected graduation date? Spring ’23
What are you working on in the lab? Computer control systems, magnetic bias field servo system.
What are you majoring in? Electrical Engineering and Physics.
What is your favorite thing to do in San Diego? I love to go on bike rides down to the beach!
David Vera
David Vera (FA22 – Present)
What is your projected graduation date? Spring ’24
What are you working on in the lab? Tunable lens system
What are you majoring in? Physics, with minors in math and philosophy
What is your favorite thing to do in San Diego? Explore the city with my friends and family
Shaw Clements (SP23)
What is your projected graduation date? Spring ’23
What are you working on in the lab? Polarization control.
What are you majoring in? Physics and Electrical Engineering
What is your favorite thing to do in San Diego? Hang out at the beach surfing and playing beach volleyball.
Carissa Samonte (SP23 – Present)
What is your projected graduation date? Spring ’26
What are you working on in the lab? Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) control and optics system.
What are you majoring in? Physics and Mechanical Engineering
What is your favorite thing to do in San Diego? …
Michael Galik (upcoming SU23)
Luke McKenna (upcoming SU23)
Student Research Opportunities
Prof. Mossman is currently looking for undergraduate students interested in experimental physics with interest in quantum technologies and applications. The first 1-3 years in the lab will involve a great deal of designing and building electrical and mechanical parts. Students from electrical and mechanical engineering considering a dual major in physics and engineering are encouraged to contact Prof. Mossman to learn more about research opportunities. You can also come to one of Prof. Mossman’s “Coffee and Quantum” hours that occur two times a month. See “Events” for more details.
Graduated Members
Judith Gonzalez Sorribes (FA21 – Present) – BS Physics, Spring 2022
Lee Lennon (SP21 – SP 22) – BS Physics, BS/BA Mechanical Engineering, Fall 2022
Danielle Smith (SU21 – Present) – BS Physics, BS/BA Mechanical Engineering, Fall 2022
Group picture May 2022.
R to L: Judith, Dr. Mossman, Brandon, Carlo, and Danielle.
Not pictured: Lee, Dustin, Andrew, Shaw and David.