Kelly Roos

Biography

Prof. Roos earned a B.S. degree in Physics from Bradley University in 1987, and a Ph.D. in Condensed Matter Physics from Iowa State University in 1993. His research focuses on experimental and computational physics of materials and surfaces at the atomic scale, and the characterization of the structural and electrical properties of nanostructures. He has taught at Bradley since 1993.

Teaching

Prof. Roos has worked for years to integrate computer modeling into the undergraduate physics curriculum. This computational focus can currently be seen in the introductory physics courses he teaches for engineering students. His innovative efforts were recognized in 2006 as “Pioneering Work in Computational Physics Education” by Computing in Science and Engineering magazine. He is a past president of the Illinois Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers.

Scholarship

Prof. Roos has, for many years, studied how single atoms, or small groups of atoms and molecules, move and interact with one another on the surface of various materials, with a specialization in experimental studies of surface diffusion and the self-assembly of nanostructures. In order to aid in understanding the atomic-scale dynamics that take place in such experimental studies, he regularly employs computer models that realistically simulate the experimental conditions. The ultimate goal of this research area is to understand how to manipulate materials on the atomic scale so that very small structures can be optimally built for use in future electronic applications.

He has also dabbled, at times, in fundamental theoretical quantum mechanics models, and deterministic automata.

Since 2003 he has collaborated closely with the Center for NanoIntegration at the University of Duisburg-Essen (CeNIDE) in Germany where he frequently is accorded the privileged position of Visiting Scientist. Prof. Roos has published over 35 papers in refereed journals and conference proceedings, and is currently writing (with Dr. Joseph Driscoll) a textbook on classical dynamics. He regularly presents research results at national and international conferences and workshops, and has given many invited talks in the US and Europe. He has received several major external grants from the National Science Foundation and the Research Corporation in support of his research efforts.

Service

During his years at Bradley Prof. Roos has served on many departmental, college-level, and University-level committees, including positions in the Faculty Senate.

Prof. Roos is a founding member and part of the leadership council for a national-scale association, the Partnership for Integration of Computation into Undergraduate Physics (PICUP), an organization comprised of physics faculty from across the country who are committed to positively affecting change in the undergraduate physics curriculum through the intertwining of contemporary computation with traditional aspects of the physics canon.