Physics professor awarded Fulbright Scholar grant

T. W. Zerda, a professor of physics and astronomy, has been awarded a Fulbright Scholar grant to conduct research in Poland.

Zerda is one of almost 800 U.S. faculty and professionals who are traveling abroad to lecture and do research through the Fulbright Scholar Program. He will be conducting research on superhard materials using raman microimaging.

Professor of physics and astronomy C. A. Quarles said Zerda was a pioneer in the field and one of the first researchers to use raman imaging, which uses lasers to supply detailed molecular information. He said the physics department is very international and it’s nice for Zerda to be going to his native country.

“(Zerda receiving the scholarship) is an honor for him and the university,” Quarles said. “The university is always interested in globalization.”

Zerda will be conducting his research at the University of Silesia in Poland, where he also received his Ph.D. in physics in 1978.

— Bill Morrison