Ran Sivron, Associate Professor in Physics, Baker University

Ran Sivron
Associate Professor of Physics & Astronomy
Coordinator of the Pre-Engineering Program
rsivron@bakeru.edu

Contact Information:
Ran Sivron,
Associate Professor in Physics
Coordinator of the Pre-Engineering Program (www.bakeru.edu/faculty/rsivron/engineering)
Baker University, Physics Department
Mulvane Science Hall
Phone: (785) 979-4270
e-mail:ran.sivron@bakeru.edu

Research & Teaching Interests
I love science. Astronomy and physics are my passion. (I admit to flings with earth science, computer science, biology, chemistry and off course literature, philosophy and poetry.) I want to do as much science as I possibly can through scholarship, outreach, and teaching. I also work as the academic director of a program called "The Summer Science Program" in Ojai, California. That is the oldest, and best, summer program for astronomy in the country. Check it out!

My research interests in:

Astrophysics:

Black Hole Candidates: I want to know what makes quasars and black hole `tick,' and what use we may find for the physics of matter near black hole candidates. I am trying to apply that knowledge to the study of high temperature plasmas and shock waves in plasmas.
Non-linear Dynamics in Astrophysics: The above systems are perfect labs for studying non-linear dynamical systems in astrophysics. Non-linear dynamics and time series analysis may be referred to as the quantitative study of how things tick.
Cosmology: I am working on a back - reaction model of post-recombination cosmology that will explain the recently observed apparent acceleration of the universe. Again, non-linear dynamics plays a role. For more on my research click here.

Physics and Physics Related:

Physics of Shatter Cones: Recently I started to work with Prof. John Weber and his Earth & Space science students, on trying to understand shatter cones in ancient impact craters. This project combines knowledge of shocks and elasticity with John's expert knowledge of geology. Its a fun project!
Physics Education: I also wants to know what makes science students `tick', so I do physics and astronomy education research. I developed new methods of teaching, and alternative explanations to many "rules of thumb" in physics.