Ā鶹ֱ²„ welcomes Dr. Neda Naseri to its physics department.
She is one of the few people whose passion for hard work is unmatched. In her own words, āMy work is my fun. The way I get excited some mornings knowing thereās work to be done is priceless.ā Her journey is a testament to dedication, curiosity and perseverance.
Dr. Naseriās academic path began at Shiraz University in Iran, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in physics. Already at that time, she had a strong interest in plasma physics. It all started with a simple curiosity about the visible universe, which quickly turned into a passion when she learned that ā99% of the visible universe is plasma.ā This realization led her to explore what she now calls āthe most complete field of physics,ā as plasma physics integrates electromagnetic theories and relativistic concepts into a unified framework.
She continued her studies earning a masterās degree in plasma physics at Tehran Polytechnic University in Iran. She pursued another masterās degree in physics in Norway before earning a PhD in physics from the University of Alberta, Canada. Her doctoral work focused on the ārelativistic self-focusing, magnetic field generation and particle acceleration in under dense plasmas,ā a field with immense potential and various applications, including fusion energy and particle acceleration.
Over the years, Dr. Naseri has worked in diverse research environments, gaining expertise in computational and theoretical physics. She has participated in research related to particle acceleration, inertial confinement fusion and photonics through her postdoctoral research at the University of Ottawa and her work as a researcher at the University of Texas at Austin. Afterward, she spent five years as a faculty member and professor at Middle Tennessee State University, where she actively participated in outreach programs aimed at empowering girls in STEM. She also held a key role in the Women in Physics (WIP) group, serving as a committee member for four years and helping organize the Tennessee Girls in STEM Conference during that time.
Today, Dr. Naseriās research primarily focuses on studying astrophysical shocks and laser matter interaction. She is particularly interested in collisionless shocks, which occur in space, and astrophysical plasmas, where particles interact without direct collisions. Her work involves understanding how particles gain and retain energy. She has observed intriguing cases where particles interact with self-generated magnetic dipoles and is delving deeper into the underlying mechanisms driving these interactions. To achieve this, she relies on collecting and analyzing data from simulations, which require complex numerical methods, equations and extensive coding. Through these simulations, she studies the behavior of energetic particles, utilizing computational models to track their motion and energy transfer. Her research is essential in advancing our understanding of space physics, high-energy astrophysical phenomena and even applications in fusion energy.
Beyond her research, Dr. Naseri has a deep love for teaching. She describes it as an incredibly fulfilling experience, saying, āWhen I teach, seeing students brighten up and get excited once they understand or learn something new fuels my drive.ā She is committed to making an impact at Adelphi, particularly in inspiring and supporting women in physics. Currently, she is actively working with students to finalize the creation of Epic Auroras, a women-in-physics group that is aimed at fostering a supportive and empowering environment.
Dr. Naseriās journey is one of resilience, passion and hard work. She embraces the uncertainties of research and thrives on the challenges it presents. With her experience, she is set to make a significant and positive impact at Ā鶹ֱ²„. It is certain that her knowledge, mentorship and dedication to physics and education will benefit her students and colleagues.