Department of Physics
Fiscal Year 2024-2025
Dear Donor,
The Department of Physics continues to grow in both scope and impact. In the next academic year, we will welcome a new faculty member specializing in theoretical condensed matter physics, further strengthening our expertise in the advancing feld of quantum materials.
Our optics program remains a cornerstone of student research and innovation, actively developing opportunities in quantum computing. Faculty engaged in education research are leading the implementation of evidence-based practices that enhance learning across the curriculum. Students contribute substantively to research in advanced topics of modern physics, supported by dedicated faculty and specialized facilities. These eforts are further elevated by SDSU’s recent designation as an R1 research institution, placing SDSU among the top research universities nationwide.
It is a privilege to lead a department where scholarly excellence and educational commitment are deeply intertwined. Donor support sustains this momentum, enabling research, scholarships, and program development.
Thank you for investing in our students and in the advancement of science
Fridolin Weber, Ph.D. Chair
Distinguished Professor of Physics
Propelling the SDSU Community Forward
Eric Karl Spangenberg Scholarship
The Eric Karl Spangenberg Scholarship was established in honor of double physics alum Eric Karl Spangenberg (B.S. ’67, M.S. ’69). A proponent of lifelong learning, Spangenberg’s desire was to make the same learning opportunities he had available to others. The mission of the scholarship is to provide SDSU physics students the opportunity to pursue their educational goals.
Mesa Rim Scholarship in Physics and Mathematics
The Department of Physics received additional contributions to support the Mesa Rim Scholarship in Physics and Mathematics, providing full-tuition scholarships to physics and/or mathematics majors.
The scholarship places particular focus on the value of interdisciplinary learning among the sciences, promoting collaboration between physics and mathematics while encouraging students to engage in research, problem-solving, and innovation that bridges both disciplines. This interdisciplinary emphasis prepares recipients to tackle complex scientifc challenges and contribute meaningfully to a broad range of careers in academia, industry, and beyond.
Lowell Burnett, Ph.D. Endowed Award
Additional gifts were received to support the Lowell Burnett, Ph.D. Endowed Award, providing support to students in the Department of Physics with tuition assistance, lab fees, and research expenses. The award honors Professor Emeritus Lowell Burnett, who mentored, inspired, and educated students in the Department of Physics for nearly three decades, while managing multiple businesses and authoring numerous publications.
Thriving in the Aztec Experience
Patrick Bush, Class of 2025 Class Level: Undergraduate Student College: College of Sciences
Major: Physics
Patrick Bush is an outstanding undergraduate student with signifcant academic achievements and research accomplishments.
With a perfect GPA, he has pursued advanced topics typically reserved for graduate-level study. His research focuses on pseudo-complex general relativity—a novel reformulation of Einstein’s theory that employs complex numbers to investigate the structure of spacetime. This approach holds the potential to uncover new insights into gravity and the behavior of the universe under extreme conditions, requiring both rigorous mathematical understanding and creative scientifc thinking.
In addition, Patrick was selected for a highly competitive Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) at Penn State, where he conducted research on gravitational waveforms from neutron star mergers under the mentorship of Dr. David Radice. His research excellence has been recognized nationally through an Honorable Mention from the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) and his selection as a Cal-Bridge Scholar—a prestigious program that supports underrepresented students on their path toward Ph.D. studies in physics and astronomy.
With a perfect GPA and groundbreaking research in pseudo-complex general relativity, Patrick exemplifes academic excellence and innovation in gravitational physics.
Nicholas Schottle, Class of 2024 Class Level: Graduate Student College: College of Sciences Major: Physics
Nicholas Schottle, a master's student in the Department of Physics, is conducting research in the feld of 2D semiconductors and moiré materials development.
He is a co-author of the paper "Probing Anharmonic Phonons in WS₂ van der Waals Crystal by Raman Spectroscopy and Machine Learning." His acceptance into an internship at the Air Force Research Lab further underscores his ability to conduct high-quality research. Nicholas is also a co-author of another manuscript, titled "Hexagonal Boron Nitride Photonic Quantum Simulator: Prelude to Spin and Photonic Qubits," which has been submitted to the journal ACS Nano. In this work, he contributed to understanding the efects of hyperfne interactions on Hamiltonian construction.
Additionally, Nicholas's academic excellence—evidenced by his 4.0 GPA at San Diego State University—further demonstrates his dedication to academic pursuits.
“Nicholas, a physics master’s student, excels in 2D semiconductors and moiré materials, co-authoring cutting-edge research and earning a prestigious Air Force Research Lab internship.
Celebrating Shared Success
Recent Rankings
The bachelor's program in physics at SDSU is ranked #76 on College Factual's list of Best Schools for Physics and #9 in California
Statistics of Interest
Nearly 100 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in Spring 2025.
Recent Highlights
The Society of Physics Students, with support from Steve Leduc, SPS Advisor Dr. Anderson, and the Integration Bee Committee, hosted the 2nd Annual Integration Bee in the Bernstein Theatre in December. SDSU students competed in this challenging event to showcase their knowledge of integrals and integration techniques, including freshman math major Tifany Mo, who took third place.
Research by SDSU scholars was cited in this Department of Energy highlight on the physics behind how nuclei spin Patrick Bush, Takashi Katayama, and Professor Sanjay Behura received the 2025 Thomas B. Day Award for Excellence in Physics
By the Numbers
Physics Excellence
Ranked #76 nationally and #9 in California by College Factual, SDSU’s Physics program enrolled nearly 100 undergraduate and graduate students in Spring 2025.
From mastering integrals to winning national awards, SDSU physics students and faculty continue to shine—earning honors, citations, and showcasing academic excellence.
Calvin Johnson, Ph.D.
Title: Professor of Physics, Faculty Fellow, Weber Honors College College: College of Sciences
Achievement: SDSU Professor of Physics Calvin Johnson was recently elected a Fellow of the American Physical Society (APS)—one of the highest honors in the feld of physics.
He was recognized for his seminal contributions to theoretical nuclear structure physics over the course of three decades, as well as for his outstanding leadership and dedicated service to the nuclear physics community.
The APS Fellowship is a prestigious distinction awarded to physicists who have made exceptional advances in knowledge through original research and publication, or who have made signifcant, innovative contributions to the application of physics in science and technology.
“Congratulations to Dr. Calvin Johnson, newly elected APS Fellow, honoring his pioneering research and decades of leadership in nuclear physics—an exceptional achievement in the feld!