Faculty Bio

Robert O. Harmon

Perkins-Howard Professor of Physics and Astronomy

Education

• B.S., Case Western Reserve University
• Ph.D., The University of Chicago

About

Robert Harmon is a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Ohio Wesleyan. Harmon earned the B.S. summa cum laude, in Astronomy at Case Western Reserve University, and then went on to earn the M.S. and Ph.D. in Physics at the University of Chicago, where he won the Gregory Wentzel Prize for Best First-Year Graduate Teaching Assistant. Before coming to Ohio Wesleyan in 1999, Harmon taught at Washington College and Randolph Macon College and was a Visiting Researcher at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

In addition to teaching courses in theoretical physics as well as in theoretical and observational astrophysics, he utilizes OWU’s Perkins Observatory for classes and research, including the study of starspots. He mentors undergraduates conducting research during the summer, the results of which often are presented at regional and national conferences.

Areas of Interest / Expertise

• Solar Physics
• Stellar magnetism
• Relativity
• Astronomy

Memberships

• American Astronomical Society
• American Physical Society
• American Association of Physics Teachers
• American Association of Variable Star Observers
• Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society

Winner of the 2005 Sherwood Dodge Shankland Award for Encouragement of Teachers