ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½Ē

Department of Physics and Astronomy

Physics student takes a break in the lab

Explore how things work and approach the worldā€™s problems analytically.

Associate of Science Degree

Complete up to two years of studies in sciences at ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½Ē, which you can transfer to a university of your choice.

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Meet our faculty

Dr. Terry Bridges

Chair - Physics and Astronomy
Office: C Building 173
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4484
Physics Department - Terry Bridges

I have been an astronomy researcher in France, England, and Australia. My astronomy research interests are in early-type galaxies, and objects in our outer solar system. I have taught physics and astronomy as an adjunct at Queen's University, online astronomy, and high school in Ontario and Istanbul. I currently teach university transfer courses in physics and astronomy at ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½Ē, and am the Chair of the ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½ĒFA's Human Rights and International Solidarity Committee. I enjoy astronomy and physics outreach, and am also involved in social justice and sustainability initiatives at the College and in the Kelowna community.

Credentials:
PhD, Education, Queen's University
BEd, Education, Queen's University
PhD, Astrophysics, Queen's University
MSc, Astrophysics, Queen's University
BSc, Physics, University of Alberta

Flora Cheng

Physics & Astronomy
Office: C Building 277
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 6462
Flora Xinru Cheng - Physics/Astronomy

In a past life, I did research in experimental quantum optics. My thesis focused on generating entangled photon sources.

Having experienced life as an international student and ā€œoutsiderā€ for almost a decade in Germany, the US, and Canada, I empathize deeply with minority students. Iā€™m passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion, and making physics more fun - ask me about the quantum physics book I translated!

I joined the Department of Physics and Astronomy in January 2021. I am excited to grow my career at ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½Ē and share my unique perspective to help students make sense of - and thrive in - an increasingly complex world.

Dr. Kevin Douglas

Interim Associate Dean - Science and Technology
Office: C Building 245A
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4268
Associate Dean Kevin Douglas

I grew up in the Okanagan, left for university, and came back 20 years later, having achieved my goal of being a professional radio astronomer. On the way I lived in interesting places like California, England, and Puerto Rico. I joined ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½Ē in 2013.

Credentials:
PhD, Physics (Specialization in Radio Astronomy), University of Calgary

Dr. Brian May

Mathematics & Statistics / Physics & Astronomy
Office: Salmon Arm Building 116
Campus: Salmon Arm
Phone: 250-832-2126 ext. 8212
Brian May

Credentials:
PhD, Physical Oceanography, Dalhousie University
BSc, Theoretical Physics, Queenā€™s University

Jennifer Owen

Physics & Astronomy
Office: Main Building C337
Campus: Vernon
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 3275

Dr. Amir Qamar

Physics & Astronomy
Office: C Building 345
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 6486
Amir Qamar

After receiving B.Sc. (Hons) from University of Saskatchewan (U of S), I perused Ph.D. in Solid State Physics also at U of S. My research during graduate studies involved discovering the relationship between structural and electronic properties of novel bulk and low-dimensional materials using:

ā€¢ Synchrotron based X-ray spectroscopic techniques.

ā€¢ Quantum mechanical theoretical simulations based on density functional theory.

I enjoy teaching as it provides me the opportunity to change lives. I have taught Physics at ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½Ē for two years.

Credentials:
Ph.D., Solid State Physics & Material Science, University of Saskatchewan
B.Sc. (Hons), Concentration in Theoretical Physics, University of Saskatchewan

Dr. Ryan Ransom

Physics & Astronomy
Office: Sunoka Building 012
Campus: Penticton
Phone: 250-492-4305 ext. 3273

 

I received my PhD in Astrophysics from York University (Toronto) in 2003. My thesis focused on observational support of NASAā€™s Gravity Probe B (GP-B) mission. I continued with GP-B as a postdoc between 2003 and 2006, working with radio astronomy groups at York University and the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. I moved to Penticton in 2007 to join the Canadian Galactic Plane Survey team at the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory (DRAO). I started a continuing faculty position at ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½Ē in August 2008. I maintain a Visiting Scientist position at DRAO, studying, when time permits, old planetary nebulae.

Credentials:
PhD, Astrophysics, York University
MSc, Astrophysics, York University
BSc, Space and Communications Sciences, York University

Michael Staelens

Physics & Astronomy
Office: C Building 345
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445
Michael Staelens Headshot

Robert Stutz

Physics and Astronomy
Office: Sunoka Building 011
Campus: Penticton
Phone: 250-492-4305 ext. 3318

I joined the Physics and Astronomy Department at ĀŅĀ×ŗ£½Ē in September, 2014.

Credentials:
MSc, Interdisciplinary Studies (Astrophysics), UBC Okanagan
BSc (Hons), Physics, UBC Okanagan

Monika Thakur

Physics & Astronomy
Office: Portable 3 101
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445
Monika Thakur Headshot

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