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, a treeing walker coonhound pup, and two kitties. I am also a passionate advocate for and supporter of women and underrepresented minorities in physics.
Post-Bachelor Scholars
Danielle Smith
Danielle Smith (SU21 – Present)
When did you graduate? Fall ’22 with a BS in Physics and an BS/BA in Mechanical Engineering
What are you working on in the lab? Ultra-high vacuum system development, and lab part manufacturing.
What is your favorite thing to do in San Diego? Surfing
Summer Post-Bachelor Researchers
Dustin Greenwood (SU22 – Present) – BS Physics, BS/BA Electrical Engineering, Spring 2023. Working on electronic setups and analysis program building. Upcoming plans: PhD program in physics @ Northwestern.
Kathryn Anawalt (SP23 – Present) – BS Physics, BS/BA Electrical Engineering, Spring 2023. Working on electronic setups, GUI development, and on the Cold Atom Lab project. Upcoming plans: Starting a new job at Boeing.
Student Researchers
Andrew Jockelle
Andrew Jockelle (SU22 – Present)
What is your projected graduation date? Fall ’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 optical testing and setup.
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
Michael Galik (SU23 – Present)
What is your projected graduation date? Spring ’24
What are you working on in the lab? 3D MOT optical design, setup and alignment.
What are you majoring in? Physics
What is your favorite thing to do in San Diego?
Carissa Samonte (SP23 – Present)
What is your projected graduation date? Spring ’26
What are you working on in the lab? Digital Micro-mirror Device (DMD) control and optical setup.
What are you majoring in? Physics and Mechanical Engineering
What is your favorite thing to do in San Diego?
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 (Masters program in photonics @ University of Barcelona)
Lee Lennon (SP21 – SP 22) – BS/BA Mechanical Engineering, Fall 2022 (US Navy)
Danielle Smith (SU21 – Present)* – BS Physics, BS/BA Mechanical Engineering, Fall 2022 (QHL)
Carlo Sanchez (SU21 – SP23) – BS Physics, BS/BA Mechanical Engineering, Spring 2023 (Masters program in engineering @ USD)
Dustin Greenwood (SU22 – Present)* – BS Physics, BS/BA Electrical Engineering, Spring 2023 (PhD program in physics @ Northwestern)
Brandon Eickert (SU22 – SP23) – BS Physics, BS/BA Electrical Engineering, Spring 2023 (Masters program in aerospace engineering @ MIT)
Shaw Clements (SP23) – BS Physics, BS/BA Electrical Engineering, Spring 2023 (Left Coast Engineering)
Kathryn Anawalt (SP23 – Present)* – BS Physics, BS/BA Electrical Engineering, Spring 2023 (Boeing)
* Worked beyond graduation in the lab
Senior members of the lab, May 2023. L to R Dustin, Shaw, Judith, Mossman, Danielle, Brandon, Kat, and Carlo.
Group picture May 2022.
R to L: Judith, Dr. Mossman, Brandon, Carlo, and Danielle.
Not pictured: Lee, Dustin, Andrew, Shaw and David.