Faculty - Susan R. McKay – Center Director

Susan McKay
Professor of Physics and Director, Center for Science & Mathematics Education Research
104 Bennett Hall

Phone: (207)581-1019
Email: Susan.McKay@umit.maine.edu

• 1975  A.B., Princeton University
• 1979  M.S., University of Maine
• 1987  Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Research:

My research revolves around theoretical condensed matter physics; phase transitions and critical phenomena; spin glasses, amorphous magnetism, quenched disorder; nonlinear systems and chaos; pattern formation; phase transitions in nonequilibrium systems; models of lateral organization in biological membranes; science education; student learning in science.

Some of my main research foci are:

• Renormalization-group mappings of systems with competing interactions;
• Non-linear systems and transitions to chaos;
• Improving science education by providing research internships for pre- and in-service teachers;
• Development of realistic models for biological membranes (in collaboration with Professor Sam Hess);
• Developer and graduate coordinator of the Master of Science in Teaching Program; and
• Founding director of the University’s Center for Science and Mathematics Education Research.