Faculty and Staff

Education:

• Ph.D. Astrophysics, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
• M.A. Astronomy, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
• B.S. Astrophysics, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN

Courses Taught:

• Astronomy (on campus and online)
• Astrophysics
• Algebra-based Physics/Lab (on campus and online)
• Calculus-based Physics/Lab (on campus and online)
• Capstone Design
• Conceptual Physics (on campus and online)
• Digital Electronics
• Engineering Dynamics
• Internships
• Linear Integrated Circuits
• Nuclear and Particle Physics
• Sustainable Energy (online)
• Thermodynamics

Research Interests:

• Astronomy & Physics Education
• Cosmic Rays
• Experimental Astroparticle Physics
• Uniview Fulldome & OpenSpace Planetarium/Digital Dome operation

Professional Activities:

• Institutional Representative for Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium
• Observatory Director
• STEM Fellow for active learning, Wisconsin Teaching Scholar
• Society of Physics Students (SPS) advisor

Dr. Spiczak's research explores the composition, origin and acceleration of cosmic rays via characteristics of high energy particle debris raining down on Earth's surface after these spacefaring nuclei collide with Earth's atmosphere. He was a research scientist at the Bartol Research Institute of the University of Delaware studying Cosmic Rays using SPASE (South Pole Air Shower Experiment) and AMANDA (Antarctic Muon And Neutrino Detector Array) and continues such work at UWRF using the IceTop surface array of the IceCube cubic-kilometer neutrino telescope at the South Pole. He was a lead member of the task force for active learning classrooms on campus and mentors UWRF's high-powered rocket teams competing in NASA's Collegiate Rocket Competitions along with the Physics Student robotics teams.

Education:

• B.S. Physics, University of Wisconsin-River Falls
• M.S. Physics, Washington State University, Graduate Certificate in Optoelectronics
• Advanced Gunsmithing diploma and certificate from Pine Technical College.

Courses Taught:

• Conceptual Physics
• Astronomy
• Intermediate Mathematics
• College Algebra
• Algebra Physics Labs, I and II
• Calculus Physics Labs, I and II
• Statics
• Dynamics
• Algebra Based Physics
• Calculus Based Physics
• Perspectives in Math and Science
• First Year Adventure
• Honors Seminar
• Introduction to Internships

Interests:

• Origami
• Ballistics
• Intersection of art and science
• Planetarium
• Outreach
• Aviation

During graduate school Arriety used perturbed angular correlation (PAC) spectroscopy to study lattice locations and site preferences of atoms in rare-earth aluminides having C15 structure. After graduate school she followed a somewhat circuitous path to teaching, and has found herself interested in alternatives to traditional lecturing that allow more student involvement and participation as well as online learning. In addition to her teaching for the math, physics and STEMteach programs, she is the lab manager for the physics department. Arriety works with students and does outreach through the Girls in SCIENCE event and has mentored student teams for the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium’s High-Powered Rocket competition.

She currently sits on the Faculty and Academic Staff Development Board and the Faculty Compensation Committee. In addition to this work she has participated in the Evidence Based Teaching Fellows program and the GREAT Falcon STEM Fellows program.

Outside of the university she works and volunteers in several fields. She is available as an independent consultant and has served on the board of directors for several companies and organizations. She also works with the Wisconsin Science Olympiad developing and running events at state and local levels.

Education:

• Ph.D. Physics, Michigan State University
• B.S. Physics University of Wisconsin-River Falls, River Falls, WI

Courses Taught:

• Advanced Lab
• Classical Mechanics
• Electricity and Magnetism
• Quantum Mechanics
• Optics
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Thermodynamics
• Math for Physicists and Engineers
• Scientific Programming
• Science of Light
• General Physics
• General Physics Lab
• Basic Physics

Graduate Courses for Secondary School Teachers:

• Mechanics
• Electricity and Magnetism
• Modern Physics
• Thermodynamics
• Optics
• Laser Physics

Research Interests:

• Condensed Matter
• Optics

Dr. McCann is a board member of the Advanced Laboratory Physics Association (ALPhA), and chairs the ALPhA Immersions organizing committee which offers intensive faculty development opportunities to college faculty teaching upper-level laboratory courses. His research interests include optical trapping of aerosols and he strongly encourages undergraduate students to get involved in research projects.

Education:

• Ph.D. University of Kansas
• Graduate Diploma (Theoretical High Energy Physics), ICTP, Trieste, Italy
• B.S., University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago

Courses Taught:

• Astrophysics
• Quantum Mechanics
• Thermodynamics
• Nuclear and Particle Physics
• Introductory Physics
• Scientific Programming
• Intermediate Labs
• Modern Physics

Research Interests:

• Neutrino Astrophysics
• Particle Physics

Dr. Seunarine's research interests are in the fields of neutrino astrophysics and theoretical particle physics. He works on IceCube with a large international collaboration that has built and operates a neutrino telescope at the South Pole, and he conducts research using the neutron monitors at the South Pole. He is the Director of UWRF's Research Experience for Undergraduates Site on Neutrino Astrophysics. He has lived in Trinidad and Tobago and Italy, and has worked as a professional physicist and taught in the USA (UWRF), New Zealand (University of Canterbury), and Barbados (University of the West Indies).

Education:

• Ph.D. Physics, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, MN
• B.S. Physics, Hope College, Holland, MI

Courses Taught:

• Introductory Physics
• Analog and Digital Electronics
• Microprocessors
• Modern Physics
• Optics
• Advanced Physics Lab
• Introduction to Astronomy
• Cosmology

Research Interests:

• Education Research
• Electronics
• Minor Planet Astronomy
• Atomic and Molecular Physics

Dr. Matt Vonk is a professor of physics at the University of Wisconsin River Falls and 2019 recipient of the Paul B. and Robert Dykstra Faculty Excellence Award. Matt is co-founder and Chief Science Officer at Pivot Interactives an ed-tech company that makes online science labs for education that are based on high-resolution interactive video. He is a long-time AP (Advanced Placement) scorer, and currently serves as the higher-ed co-chair of the AP Physics-C Test Development Committee.

Dr. Vonk received several NSF (National Science Foundation) grants for his work on interactive video, has published articles on a wide variety of topics (education, erosion pillars, water jetpacks, asteroid rotation, the ascendance of video, and even an essay on what it's like to teach physics in the digital age) and has presented scholarly talks at more than thirty venues.

Matt is passionate about international education. He is a two time Fulbright Award Recipient: in 2010 he taught for a semester at UNI (Universidad Nacional de Ingenieria) in Managua, Nicaragua, and in 2018 he taught for a semester at UdA (the Universidad de Antioquia) in Medellin, Columbia. In 2009, he received a Rotary traveling scholar award which allowed him to spend a semester teaching and collaborating with faculty at PUCMM (Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra) in Santiago, Dominican Republic. He has also been active in UWRF's study abroad program teaching in Hangzhou, China in 2014 and leading the ITC (International Traveling Classroom) to seven European cities in 2018.

In his free time Matt likes to cross-country ski, study Spanish & Portuguese, play volleyball, attend theater events, travel, and spend time with his friends and family.