Department of Physics
Ramon Lopez
Spring 2012 · Comment ·
Professor Ramon Lopez knows that solar wind, radiation, and changing electromagnetic fields can put a glitch in modern technology much like rain can ruin a picnic. Dr. Lopez is a co-principal investigator of the Center for Integrated Space Weather Modeling. He helped create the technology used to predict a hurricane鈥檚 path, and his long-term projects include developing computer simulations of space weather. To Lopez, science education is just as important as research. He has helped develop science programs for more than 100 school districts, is a co-director of UTeach Arlington, and is a co-principal investigator for Arlington Undergraduate Research-based Achievement for STEM, or AURAS. He鈥檚 also part of a team developing the Next Generation Science Standards that will be adopted in the United States. 鈥淭his is not just for people going into college,鈥� he says of the science education standards. 鈥淭his is what scientifically literate people should know.鈥� Lopez has reaped numerous awards during his career. The most recent include being elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and receiving the Edward A. Bouchet Award, a national honor that recognizes a minority physicist who has made significant contributions to physics research.