Brendan Mullan

Brendan Mullan is an Associate Teaching Professor and Director of Undergraduate Laboratories at the Department of Physics, Mellon College of Science, Carnegie Mellon University. He specializes in physics education research, astrophysics, and astrobiology, with a focus on tidal tails, star clusters, and searching for extraterrestrial intelligence.

• PhD, Astronomy and Astrophysics, The Pennsylvania State University (2013)
• M.S., Astronomy and Astrophysics, The Pennsylvania State University (2010)
• B.A., Physics, Colgate University (2007)

His research spans galactic evolution (studying tidal tails and star clusters in merging galaxies) and astrobiology (exploring implications for SETI through energy use models). He has also pioneered innovative pedagogy integrating video games and narrative storytelling in physics education. Publications highlight collaborations with international teams on cosmological surveys and planetary sustainability.

Brendan has received awards for science communication and education, including National Geographic Emerging Explorer (2013), NASA Famelab champion (2012), and fellowships from NASA Pennsylvania Space Grant and Zaccheus Daniel Fund. He previously held roles at Point Park University such as Assistant/Associate Professor of Physics (2015–2023) and administrative positions in curriculum strategy and honors programs.