Staff

Susan has been with the Physics Learning Center (PLC) since it was founded in the early 2000’s.  It is a privilege to work with PLC students and staff!  She greatly enjoys working with PLC participants and tutors and supporting them in reaching their academic and professional dreams.  She also works as a scientist studying atmospheric physics and climate. Please contact her if you would like to talk about climate change.   Outside of work, Susan enjoys spending time outdoors, volunteering with community organizations focused on climate change, gardening in the Eagle Heights community garden, and spending time with family and friends.

Akire has been affiliated with the PLC since 2011. He first became a tutor in 2001, which culminated in him teaching physics at a community college in Northern California before moving to Wisconsin to pursue his PhD in Medical Physics at the University of Wisconsin. Akire is extremely passionate about sharing the knowledge and joys of science with others.

While growing up in Chile, Chris became interested in astronomy, solar energy, and the nature of things.  He is passionate about creating a welcoming, inclusive, and active learning environment for all students as they work hard to learn physics concepts and how they relate to the world we live in. He likes to do yoga, bike, hike, kayak, camp in wilderness settings, and observe the wonders of the night sky.  Chris believes in bringing about change through participation in our democracy and continues to learn how to live with the effects of climate change.

Eric Hooper is a research astronomer (basically physics applied to “up there”) with interests in the supermassive black holes in the centers of distant galaxies.  He likes to ski, travel, write, photograph, and is fascinated by dinosaurs and volcanoes.

Melissa joined the PLC in August 2024. She began her academic career as an adult student, transitioning from her financial career to science. Melissa received her B.S. in Physics from Edgewood College in 2021 and her M.S. from UW-Milwaukee in 2024. Her thesis research focused on using geomagnetic paleointensity to improve the correlation of lava flows. From a young age, she has been a multifaceted student with interests in various subjects, ranging from biology and neuroscience to anthropology to astrophysics. Outside of UW-Madison, you can find her disc golfing, storm spotting, fossil hunting, traveling, and hiking. The image shown features her discovering a dinosaur footprint on the Isle of Skye, Scotland.