Education

PhD Physics, Princeton University, 1991

My dissertation was in the field of Condensed Matter Physics.
My research focused on a specific model for the materials called high temperature superconductors. These materials are ceramic compounds that conduct electrical current with zero resistance at relatively high temperatures (above the liquefaction temperature of nitrogen). My dissertation investigated the electronic states of these materials in their normal state (i.e., at temperatures above the superconducting threshold) using Monte Carlo simulations.

My advisors were Phil W. Anderson, and Sriram Shastry. Learning from and working with physicists like Phil Anderson was an invaluable part of the Princeton experience.

MA, Princeton University, 1988

At Princeton I worked in the biophysics laboratory (Summer 1985) directed by Sol Gruner. My research focused on the X-ray analysis of biolipid structures. I had valuable advice and enjoyed discussions with Erramilli Shyamsunder.

I served as teaching assistant for Physics 101-102 (Fall 1986-Spring 1988). This was an introductory physics course in mechanics and electromagnetism for engineers. I conducted three-hour lab sessions twice every week.

During the next two years (Fall 1998-Spring 2000), I worked as teaching assistant for Physics 111, (also called Physics for Poets) a course for non-science majors taught at the time by Bob Austin.

The Physics department required completing an experimental project before starting the dissertation research. I worked with the solid-state physics group led by Russ Gianetta, and constructed an electromagnetic graphite fiber balance capable of measuring very small changes in mass (a few atomic layers of condensed gas) by changes in the fiber's oscillation frequency.

This project required good knowledge of experimental electronics, which I largely owe to the excellent graduate electronics course taught by Sol Gruner, and the invaluable practical advice of Bart Gibbs.

Diploma in Electrical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 1985

My diploma thesis focused on measuring the electro-optic coefficients of semiconductor crystals used in fiber optic communications. My advisor was Alexandros Serafetinides, a member of the Laser Group in the Physics Department.