About Us - Physics
About Us
The mission of the Department of Physics is to provide relevant and advanced education and research programs in applied physics, tailored to the defense and intelligence needs of the present and future. Physics is the fundamental science that explores matter, energy, and their interactions, and is the key to the development of new technologies.
The technological edge provided by systems such as GPS, IR guided missiles, laser guided bombs, wake-homing torpedoes, mobile satellite communications, underwater acoustic communications, and unmanned aerial vehicle imagery have enabled today’s war-fighter to strike with unprecedented speed, accuracy, and effect. The development of systems such as these requires a deep and creative understanding of the basic disciplines of physics, such as mechanics, electrodynamics, fluid dynamics, sound and vibrations, thermodynamics, quantum physics, solid-state physics, and others.
Our program produces officers who can apply broad technical, scientific and engineering principles to combat systems operation, evaluation, design, and development. Throughout the course of their career and beyond, their education in the fundamental principles of physics prepares them for opportunities to decrease cost, increase quality, and speed development of important projects for the Navy and the DOD. Our graduates fill a spectrum of assignments in the development of future combat systems, working creatively and practically in conceiving, developing, and acquiring advanced combat systems.
Ph.D. Physics, Naval Postgraduate School, 2002
blau@nps.edu
(831) 656-2332
Ph.D. Physics, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 1999
rmgamach@nps.edu
(831) 656-7916
Chair, Engineering Acoustics Academic Committee
Ph.D., Physics and Mathematics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, 1984
oagodin@nps.edu
(831) 656-2982
Ph.D. Physics,, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, 2008
dgrbovic@nps.edu
(831) 656-2276
Ph.D., Applied Physics, California Institute of Technology, 2004
epkartal@nps.edu
(831) 656-2125
Ph.D., Physics, University of Pittsburgh, 1984
karunasiri@nps.edu
(831) 656-2886
Chair of Undersea Warfare Academic Group
Ph.D. Physics, UCLA, 1987
larraza@nps.edu
(831) 656-3007
Ph.D. Applied Sciences, Reading University, 1974
ian.mcnab@nps.edu
(831) 656-2872
Ph.D. in Physics, University of Rochester Department of Physics, 1996
frank.narducci@nps.edu
(831) 656-2635
Ph.D. Nuclear Science and Engineering, UCLA, 1975
cfsmith@nps.edu
(831) 656-2185
Ph.D. Applied Marine Physics, U. of Miami, 1991
kbsmith@nps.edu
(831) 656-2896
Ph.D. Physics, Utah State University, 2004
cgsmitht@nps.edu
(831) 656-3939
M.S. Aeronautical Management, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 2001
dmtrask@nps.edu
(831) 656-2219
Ph. D. Applied Physics, Naval Postgraduate School, 2017
wwtomlin@nps.edu
(831) 656-2877
Ph.D. Physics, University of Texas at Austin, 1986
bhborden@nps.edu
(831) 656-2855
Ph.D. Physics, Naval Postgraduate School, 1967
ppcrooke@nps.edu
(831) 656-2232
M.S. Physics, Naval Postgraduate School, 1988
rharkins@nps.edu
(831) 656-2828
Ph.D. Applied Physics, Naval Postgraduate School, 1997
dkapolka@nps.edu
(831) 656-1825
Department Staff
M.S. Physics, M.S. Engineering Science, Naval Postgraduate School, 1991, 1999
adeff@nps.edu
(831) 656-3529