Department of Chemistry, Physics, and Atmospheric Sciences – PHYSICS
College of Science, Engineering, and Technology
If you have ever wondered scientifically, “why” something is the way it is, or “how” can something exist or behave the way it does, then you’ve entered the realm of physics. Physics is the most fundamental of all sciences, and is the study of nature that is all around us. Physicists try to understand the most basic laws that govern the behavior of nature.
Mehri Fadavi, Ph. D.
Chair/Physics Professor
Contact Information:
Phone: (601) 979-3634
Fax: (601) 203-5182
mfadavi@jsums.edu
Education
Ph.D. Keele University, Staffordshire, England, 1981
Major— Surface Physics
Dissertation Title: Secondary Electron Spectroscopy of the Slowly Oxidized
Beryllium and Magnesium Surfaces
B.S. Pahlavi University, Shiraz, Iran, 1977
Major–Physics
Areas of Interest
Physics, Physical Science and Astronomy Education
Abstracts, Publications and /or presented (selected)
Fadavi, M., & Khan, A., Institutional Change through Faculty Advancement in Instruction and Mentoring,
J. of Mississippi Academy of Sciences, Hattiesburg, MS, Feb. 18-19, 2016
Fadavi, M., & Khan, A., The Mississippi Academy for Science Teaching (Project MAST): A Route to
Quality Teacher Professional development, Mississippi Academy of Sciences Annual
Conference, Feb. 2016
Khan, A., & Fadavi, M., Effect of Instructor Training on Student Success in Science Courses, Creating
Futures Through Technology, March 5, 2016
Reddy, R.S., Tuluri, F., Fadavi, M., Wilbur, W., Tchounwou, P., Simulation and Prediction of Hurricane
Lili During Landfall Over the Central Gulf States Using MM5 Modeling System, Twelfth
International Symposium on Recent Advances in Environmental Health Research, Jackson, MS,
September 13-16, 2015
M. Fadavi, K. Bass, N. Kirtman, Project MAST, A Route to Quality Teacher Professional Development”,
Conference proceeding, Discover the Cosmos and Global Hands on Universe Conference, Volos,
Greece, August 2-5, 2013.
K. Bass, S. Mushlin, M. Fadavi, N. Kirtman, J. B. Cooper, Project MAST’s Science Teacher Professional
Development Observation Protocol, MSP Network Conference in Washington, D.C, 2013.
K. M. Bass, J. B. Cooper, M. Fadavi, S. Mushlin, D. Yumol, & N. Kirtman, (2012). Creating coherence:
Working with university faculty and school administrators to support effective high school science
teaching. Session presented at the National Science Foundation’s Math Science Partnership
Learning Network Conference, Washington DC, January 2012.
M. Fadavi, J.B. Cooper, K. Bass, and D. Yumol, Continuing to Define Student Success in Project MAST,
MSP Network Conference in Washington, D.C, 2012.
J. B. Cooper, K. M. Bass, S. Mushlin, M. Fadavi, (2011). Making it Work: Cases of
Successful Participants in a Professional Development Program for High School Science
Teachers. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the National Association for Research in
Science Teaching (NARST), Orlando, FL, April 2011.
A. Allan, M. Fadavi, et al, A Protocol Standard for Heterogeneous Telescope Networks,
Astronomische Nachrichten, vol. 327, No.8, 744-750, 2006
M. Fadavi, et al, Piloting a Network of Small Telescopes, Astronomische Nachrichten, vol. 327,
No.8, 1-3, 2006
M. Fadavi, and Abu Khan, Middle School Science Teachers’ Performance in Five Science
Courses Designed to Teach Content, The Journal of Mississippi Academy of Sciences, Vol 51,
No.1, page112, Jan. 2006
M. Fadavi and Carl Pennypacker, The Astronomy Café Education System: ACES!, International Amateur
Professional Photometric Photometry Communications (IAPPP), no.100, pages 21-26, June 2005
Synergistic Activities
-
Developed and currently implementing Mississippi’s first Licensed Physical Science Education
Program at Jackson State University to produce physical science teachers. -
Developed and manage the Mississippi Academy for Science Teaching, a novel alliance to Promote
science and mathematics education in Mississippi and improve teaching effectiveness in the K-12 setting. - Developed and manage the SMART Center–Science and Mathematics Advanced Resources for Teaching, containing approximately 300 hands-on science models to help students understand a wide range of scientific and mathematical principles, to be used as a state wide K-16 loan library.
- Upgraded two observatories at JSU, making it a state-or-the-art facility for research and education in the field of astronomy. With unattended, remote control capability, the JSU observatory has been networked to others in the United States and other locations around the globe. This networking capability enables day-time viewing of the night-time sky from other parts of the planet. One of the observatories was dedicated in November 5, 2007, and named: "The Mehri Fadavi Observatory"
-
Awarded for Outstanding College Science Teacher, 2007-2008 for College Science
Education Excellence by Mississippi Science Teachers Association - Awarded $24Million external funding as Principal Investigator.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Physics allows you to study the forces that shape the fabric of nature and learn what the universe if made of and how it works.
You will receive a solid grounding in fundamental physics and have access to a wide range of elective courses including optics, particle and solid-state physics, nonlinear dynamics, astronomy and geophysics. Running experiments and engaging in faculty-led research develops your quantitative critical thinking skills, and you will gain the ability to use data to test and evaluate models, explanations, and methods.
LEARN BY DOING
In lab-based classes and with faculty-led research opportunities, you will learn to think like a physicist. Explore accelerator physics at CERN, or learn about the frontiers of space and time while searching for extrasolar planets and world-renowned observatories. Explore the mind-bending consequences of Einstein’s theory of gravity and curved space-time, or unlock the mysteries of our awesome Earth with field research opportunities. Become a science educator and make a difference in propelling P-12 STEM education in the 21st century. At Jackson State University, you are part of the process of creating new scientific knowledge.
“Challenging Minds, Changing Lives.”
APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE
Your time will be spent collecting and analyzing data or running experiments on state-of-the-art equipment – not solely sitting at desks.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Physics majors have a plethora of career options after studying the mechanics of matter and understanding concepts such as optics, solid-state physics, particle physics, and much more:
| Technical Writer | Science Teacher | Forensic Scientist | Professor |
| Data Analyst | Research Analyst | Web Developer | Design Engineer |
| Systems Analyst | Research Engineer | Meteorologist | Research Scientist |
| Scientist | Application Developer | Product Development Engineer | Process Engineer |
| Radiation Safety Officer | Materials Engineer | Nuclear Engineer | R&D Engineer |
| Aeronautical Engineer | Electronics Engineer | Data Scientist | Quantitative Analyst |
RESEARCH
For many years, we have played a central role in new physics developments and advancements.
Want to learn more? Click below to view our advancements.
RESOURCES
PERSONNEL
READY TO JOIN?
For more information, please contact us at (601) 979-7012. We look forward to meeting with you and seeing how our program can help you achieve your goals.
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY, PHYSICS, AND ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES
