Mario Belloni
Chair & Professor of Physics
Education
- Ph.D., M.A. University of Connecticut
- B.A. University of California, Berkeley
Background
My research interests in theoretical physics lie in the mathematical and computational formulations of quantum mechanics (SUSY QM, evolution of wave packets, quasi-probability distributions in phase space, and applications of sum rules), abelian and non-abelian quantum field theories (QED and QCD), and physics education research and development.
Since coming to Davidson I have collaborated in research with over 40 students, and many of these projects have resulted in publications with student co-authors. I am proud that collaborative research with students is a hallmark of our department.
My research interests in physics education research and development lie in the development and testing of interactive curricular materials (using Physlets and Open Source Physics) for use in a wide variety of physics courses (from introductory astronomy and physics to advanced quantum mechanics). As part of this research, I have authored or co-authored more than 1,000 computer-based interactive exercises, co-authored numerous articles, and co-authored seven books via grants from the National Science Foundation.
I'm passionate about teaching physics and was honored with the American Physical Society Excellence in Physics Education Award, the Excellence in Undergraduate Physics Teaching Award from the American Association of Physics Teachers, the Pegram Award for "Excellence in the Teaching of Physics in the Southeast" from the Southeastern Section of the American Physical Society and the Hubisz Award from the North Carolina Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers for Outstanding Service to the Section. I have also received Davidson’s Matthews Travel Award, the Hunter-Hamilton Love of Teaching Award, the Student Government Association Faculty Award, and the Thomas Jefferson Award.
I have been active at Davidson, regionally, and nationally as the Section Representative of the North Carolina Section of AAPT, a member of the AAPT's Committee on Undergraduate Education, on the Advisory Boards of Physics Today and The Physics Teacher, and a member of the ComPADRE Quantum Physics Editorial Board. I am currently an Elected Member At Large of the American Association of Physics Teachers Board of Directors, Associate Editor of the American Journal of Physics for Resource Letters, and on Davidson’s HHMI FIRST Leadership Team.
