Ronald "Ron" Pepino, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Physics

Some view physics as a large collection of equations that are applied to specific problems in nature. I think this makes the subject much more cumbersome, mysterious and opaque. In the classroom, I emphasize a first principles approach: everything in nature can be predicted from a small number of reasonable physical assumptions. This requires the student to have a strong working knowledge of mathematics, but makes the subject simpler, and easier to digest in the long run. Once the fundamentals of physics are understood, the ‘strange’ things that we see in our everyday lives start to make perfect sense.

- Ron Pepino

Connect with
Ron Pepino

building is Polk Science - room is 214
Phone 863.680.3776

E-mail

Biography

Dr. Pepino received his B.S. in Physics and Mathematics with Highest Honors from the University of Connecticut. After spending a year as a research assistant at Harvard University, he obtained a secondary education teaching certificate from the state of Connecticut. He then went on to earn a Ph.D. in Physics at the University of Colorado and JILA where he studied theoretical quantum optics. His current research interests involve the dynamics of ultracold atoms in optical lattices, as well as photons in nonlinear cavities.

Interests

I am a lover of music. Besides typical rock music, I have a deep appreciation of Jazz and Flamenco. I do play guitar. I am unable to play Jazz, but I can play Rock, Blues, Folk, and just a bit of Flamenco. I also love a large variety of outdoor sports.

Education

Ph.D. Physics University of Colorado and JILA, Boulder, CO
Physical Science Education, ARC Program, CT
B.S. Physics and Mathematics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT

Honors and Awards

  • ITAMP Research Assistant (6/03-6/04)
  • University Scholar (UConn's highest distinction)
  • Honors Scholar
  • New England Scholar
  • Phi Beta Kappa
  • Pi Mu Epsilon (National Mathematics Honor Society)
  • Sigma Pi Sigma (National Physics Honor Society)
  • Katzenstein Prize (UConn Physics undergraduate thesis of the year)

Publications and Exhibitions

R. A. Pepino, J. Cooper, D. Meiser, D. Z. Anderson, and M. J. Holland (2010) Open quantum systems approach to atomtronics Phys. Rev. A 82, 013640

R. A. Pepino, J. Cooper, D. Z. Anderson, and M. J. Holland. (2009) Atomtronic Circuits of Diodes and Transistors Phys. Rev. Lett. 103, 140405

Koutroumpa, R. Lallement,V. Kharchenko, A. Dalgarno, R. Pepino, V. Izmodenov, E. Quemerais. (2007) Charge-transfer induced EUV and soft X-ray emissions in the heliosphere Astronomy and Astrophysics 460:1, 289-300

R. Pepino, V. Kharchenko, and A. Dalgarno, and R. Lallement. (2004) Spectra of the X-ray Emission Induced in the Interaction Between the Solar Wind and the Heliospheric Gas The Astrophysical Journal, 617, 1347-1352