Physics Research Programs

Presented by Department of Physics, Saint Joseph's University

June 19–24, 2023
Saint Joseph's University
University City location
600 S. 43rd St., Philadelphia, PA 19104

Completing physics research is the absolute best way to prepare high school students for further study in physics. However, starting a research program at the high school level can be challenging. 

SJU is presenting a week-long physics research camp this summer to help both students and teachers to learn the basics of physics research together: 

Students and teachers will complete original research in an actual SJU physics lab. 

Students will defend their research in a mini dissertation type format. 

Teachers will leave with concrete steps to start a program of their own. 

This camp is FREE! ALL costs, including housing and meals, are covered, thanks also to the Meggers grant from American Institute of Physics. Additional money to defray travel costs may also be available. Teachers will receive an additional compensation of $500. 

To learn more, please contact, Elia Eschenazi, PhD, program coordinator.

Applications Forms 

High School Physics Research Camp Application - Student

High School Physics Research Camp Application - Teacher

Faculty members in the physics department have engaged in significant research in a wide range of physics topics. See their research interests below. 

• Elia Eschenazi PhD: Dr. Eschenazi research focuses on Complexity, Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos; Theoretical Neural Science and the Connectome; Network Science; Molecular forces and Dynamic Atomic Force Microscopy; Colloidal Science; Theoretical Foundations of Quantum Mechanics; Physics Education.
• Sergio Freire, PhD: Dr. Freire’s research focuses on the modeling of digital microfluidics for lab-on-a-chip applications, using COMSOL Multiphysics . He is also involved in the reform of introductory physics courses in life sciences.
• Piotr Habdas, PhD: His primary area of research is the physics of soft condensed matter, particularly non-Newtonian liquids. His current research projects focus on studying colloidal glass transition, micro-rheology of complex fluids, colloidal crystal formation under microgravity, particle flow through hoppers, and effectiveness of new drugs in photodynamic therapy. He has a long-standing collaboration with research groups at the University of Pennsylvania and Emory University. He recently published “Hopper flows of deformable particles” in Soft Matter 18, 8071 (2022).
• Paul Halpern, PhD: Dr. Halpern is a theoretical physicist specializing in general relativity, theoretical astrophysics, and the history of physics. He received his PhD in Physics at Stony Brook University, and has held visiting positions at Hamilton College and Haverford College. A Fellow of the American Physical Society, he has been an active member of the history of physics community, including numerous leadership roles, for almost two decades. He has published eighteen books (one of which is co-written), along with numerous research articles and scholarly presentations. In recognition of his research, he has received a Fulbright Scholarship and a Guggenheim Fellowship. In honor of his first book, Time Journeys, he was the recipient of an Athenaeum Literary Award. He has worked on undergraduate research projects with a number of students in the fields of theoretical astrophysics and cosmology.
• Amanda Huon, PhD: Dr. Huon’s research is in the area of materials physics. Her research focuses on quantum materials, thin film deposition and their electronic and magnetic properties. She recently published and co-authored 6 publications in 2022 in the following journals: Advanced Materials, Advanced Science, APL Materials, Nature Communications, Physical Review Letters, and Science Advances
• Douglas A. Kurtze, PhD: Dr. Kurtze is interested in theoretical physics of nonlinear systems. Specific examples include global ocean circulation (which affects climate) and spontaneous formation of traffic jams. He is currently developing general methods for understanding formation of periodic patterns, for example in fluid flow. Dr. Kurtze has published papers on the formation of patterns in solidification, crystallization, flame fronts, and fluid flow, as well as on traffic jams, washboard roads, and the formation of ridges on windblown sand. He recently published “Gravitational Effects of Ice Sheets on Sea Level” in American Journal of Physics E 90, 351 (2022).
• Roberto Ramos, PhD: Dr. Ramos's research is in experimental condensed matter physics, including basic and applied superconductivity, quantum materials, quantum computing, and quantum fluids. His research laboratory includes a 2 Kelvin cryocooler and a Helium-3 (0.3 Kelvin) cryostat. He is also involved in physics education research.

The Department of Physics at Saint Joseph’s University has developed a research-oriented culture for both its faculty and students. It is expected that most students will experience some sort of research activity over their four-year development in the discipline of physics. The ability to put into practice what is learned in the classroom is paramount to the growth of a young scientist. In the research laboratory, the student will learn to ask appropriate questions, design and perform experiments to answer those questions, analyze data using computational methods and draw appropriate conclusions.  Students will also be exposed to the interfaces of physics where physics meets biology and chemistry.

Undergraduates can participate in research in three different ways:

• Take research for academic credit: Within the major, students must take three physics electives and one or more of these may be used to perform scientific research under the guidance of our physics faculty. 
• Do research as a Summer Scholar: The Summer Scholars program at Saint Joseph's University provides support for currently enrolled undergraduate students to engage in faculty-mentored research and other scholarly endeavors during the summer months. In exchange for the support provided, Summer Scholars agree to write about their work and present it at an annual dinner, as well as the Celebration of Student Achievement held in the spring.
• Volunteer in a research laboratory at Saint Joseph's.

The John P. McNulty Scholars Program provides full- and partial-tuition scholarships and a supportive environment to help young women succeed as leaders in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) field. Program alumnae have gone on to pursue advanced degrees in biology, food science, mechanical engineering, materials chemistry and neuroscience at institutions including Cornell University, Georgetown University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Illinois and Johns Hopkins University. 

First-year female or female-identifying students who are majoring in a STEM program — including physics — are invited to apply. You do not need to be admitted to Saint Joseph's University before applying to the program. 

Learn More the McNulty Scholars Program

This program provides an opportunity for rising high school seniors, who are planning to apply to a physics college program, to engage in faculty-mentored research during the summer months.

The Research Experience for High School Students is an intense, 5-week scientific research program at Saint Joseph’s University. The program provides a full immersion in a research lab at the Department of Physics at Saint Joseph’s University. Students volunteer in a research lab and engage in an independent research project under the mentorship of a research faculty member in the Department of Physics.

Important 2024 Application and Program Dates

• TBA: Application deadline
• TBA: Notification of decision
• TBA: Tentative program dates