University of North Alabama

Welcome to Physics and Earth Science!

Ms. Brenda Webb
Assistant Professor and Department Head

Education:
B.S. University of Tennessee at Martin
M.S. University of Tennessee at Martin
M.A.Ed. University of North Alabama
Ed.S. University of North Alabama

Office: 207 Floyd Hall

Telephone: (256) 765-4130
Fax: (256) 765-4795
E-mail: bhwebb@una.edu

Dr. Mel Blake
Assistant Professor of Physics and Director, UNA Planetarium and Observatory

Education:
BSc Saint Mary's University 1991
MSc Saint Mary's University 1996
Ph.D. York University 2002

Office: Planetarium
Telephone: (256) 765-4284
Fax: (256) 765-4795
E-mail: rmblake@una.edu
Personal Web Site: Mel's Web Site

Mel's research area is mainly in time-variable phenomena in astronomy including binary and variable stars and active galaxies. Recent efforts include studying the close binary star UU Psc at David Dunlap Observatory in Richmond Hill Ontario. Mel has also worked at Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute in Rosman, North Carolina. At UNA, Mel is preparing a research project with students to study long-term evolution of stars and variability in star forming regions.

Mel teaches courses in introductory astronomy and physics.

Dr. Valery K. Dolmatov
Associate Professor of Physics

Education:
M.S. Tashkent State University (Uzbekistan)
Ph.D. Tashkent State University

Office: 215 Floyd Hall
Telephone: (256) 765-4320
Fax: (256) 765-4795
E-mail: vkdolmatov@una.edu
For an .mp3 file of a radio broadcast describing Val's research experiences, click here.

Val's research focuses on quantum mechanics, particularly the interactions of subatomic particles and photons. Before joining UNA, Val conducted research in atomic and molecular physics at several research institutions, including the Tashkent Physical-Technical Institute (Tashkent, Uzbekistan), Ioffe Physical-Technical Institute (St. Petersburg, Russia), Hamburg University (Germany), Imperial College of London (UK), and the Georgia State University (Atlanta, GA). Val has more than 100 publications in the areas of atomic and molecular physics, including more than 50 in top international refereed physics journals. Val is also a life-time Research Fellow of the famous Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (Germany).

Val teaches courses in General Physics, Modern Physics, Interactive Physics, and Quantum Mechanics.

Dr. D. Brian Thompson
Associate Professor of Physics

Education:
B.S. Kentucky Wesleyan College 1987
M.S. University of Kentucky 1990
Ph.D. University of Kentucky 1994

Office: 219 Floyd Science Building
Telephone: (256) 765-4881
Fax: (256) 765-4795
E-mail: dbthompson@una.edu
Personal Web Site: Brian's Web Site

Brian joined the UNA faculty in 1999 after working at synchrotron radiation laboratories in the United States, England, and Italy. Recently, he built an "optical tweezers" to trap micron-sized particles. Brian is currently Interim Department Chair for the department. Brian teaches courses in Introductory Physics, Technical Physics, Classical Physics, Electromagnetism, and the Intermediate Physics laboratory.

Dr. David R. Curott
Professor Emeritus of Physics

Education:
B.S. Stevens Institute of Technology (Electrical Engineering) 1959
M.S. Princeton University (Physics) 1962
Ph.D. Princeton University (Physics) 1965

Office: 207 Floyd Science Building
Telephone: (256) 765-4334
Fax: (256) 765-4795
E-mail: drcurott@una.edu

Dave retired from UNA in the spring of 1999 after teaching for 24 years at UNA. Dave's teaching interests are in the fields of physics and astronomy, and his research interests are in the fields of experimental relativity, gravitation and stellar photometry. Dave also writes for the magazine Kidsville, which is for 4th and 5th graders.

Dr. Mark Puckett
Assistant Professor of Geology

Education:
B.S. University of Southern Mississippi 1982
M.S. Mississippi State University 1987
Ph.D. University of Alabama 1992

Office: 415 Floyd Hall

Telephone: (256) 765-4481
Fax: (256) 765-4795
E-mail: tmpuckett@una.edu
Personal Web Site: Mark's Web Site

Mark's research involves paleontology and stratigraphy. He specializes in two groups of microfossils, ostracodes and planktonic foraminifera, and uses them to solve many kinds of problems. Recently, his research activities have brought him to Cuba and Puerto Rico. Mark teaches courses in Earth Science, Honors Earth Science, Historical Geology, Economic Geology, Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, and Paleobiology. For more information about Mark's research activities and publications, please see his personal web pages.

See photos of the Fall, 2006 field trip to the Ouachita Mountains of central Arkansas.

Dr. Richard A. Statom
Assistant Professor of Geology

Education:
B.S. University of South Alabama
M.S. Mississippi State University
Ph.D. Colorado School of Mines

Office: 405 Floyd Hall

Telephone: (256) 765-4347
Fax: (256) 765-4795
E-mail: rastatom@una.edu

Richard's research focuses on hydrology, hydrogeology and water resources. He teaches Earth Science, Physical Geology, Mineralogy, Petrology, Hydrogeology, and Meteorology.

Mr. Phillip J. Crosslin
Adjunct Instructor

Education:
B.S. University of North Alabama
M.A.Ed. University of North Alabama

Telephone: (256) 765-4334
Cell phone: (256) 710-3706
Fax: (256) 765-4795
E-mail: pjcrosslin@una.edu

Ms. Melissa Driskell
Instructor

Education:
B.S. University of North Alabama
M.S. Arizona State University

Office: 419 Floyd Hall

Telephone: (256) 765-4174
Fax: (256) 765-4795
E-mail: mmmoore@una.edu

Melissa's research interests are in the investigations of Earth's structure and Core-Mantle Boundary Layer (CMB) structure using seismology. Her research has included study of the Earth's CMB and its relationship to mantle circulation and dynamics, as well as research on fine structure in the Earth's deep mantle utilizing seismic waveform modeling and seismic data analysis.

Ms. Wanda Robertson
Instructor

Education:
B.S. University of North Alabama
M.A.Ed. University of North Alabama

Telephone: (256) 765-4334
Fax: (256) 765-4795
E-mail: wrobertson@una.edu

Ms. Debbie Thornton
Administrative Assistant

Office: 207 Floyd Hall

Telephone: (256) 765-4334
Fax: (256) 765-4795
E-mail: drthornton@una.edu

Debbie has worked more than 15 years in the College of Arts and Sciences at UNA, with six of those years serving the Physics and Earth Sciences Department. She is very active on campus, having recently served as Chair of Staff Senate. She is currently serving as Past President of the Staff Senate, is in her fourth year of service on the Shared Governance Committee, and in her second year on the Salary Studies Committee. Following business school, Debbie worked for the Tennessee Valley Authority before coming to UNA.

In her spare time, Debbie enjoys reading and spending quality time with family and friends.