Our latest addition to the Physics and Astronomy Department faculty is Alexander (Alex) Raphael Klotz. He joined us after completing a postdoctoral time at MIT. Alex has a Ph.D. and M.S. in Physics from McGill University in Montréal, Quebec, and a B.S. also in Physics from Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario.

His research focus is interdisciplinary, at the interface of soft condensed matter and biophysics. Instead of applying experimental physics techniques to study biological systems, Alex uses biological systems to study the statistical and materials physics of soft condensed matter. This original approach lead him to study knots in DNA networks, polymer dynamics of active fluids and derive nanotechnological principles from biological machines. This opens the door to study non-equilibrium phenomena and new functionalities of polymers.

Alex has also drawn the attention of the general public for several of his writings, among which an article entitled “The Gravity Tunnel in a Non-Uniform Earth” (American Journal of Physics), papers on Public Health, and articles as a science journalist for PhysicsForum Insights, SoftBites.com, and the Materials Research Society Bulletin. He has completed the Kaufman Teaching Certificate Program at MIT. We welcome this well-rounded interdisciplinary physicist to complement a strong group of faculty engaged in research with students and modern teaching methods.

Welcome Alex!