Bryan E. Penprase

Bryan E. Penprase is a Professor of Physics and Astronomy and Vice President for Sponsored Research and External Academic Relations at Soka University of America. He holds a PhD from the University of Chicago and degrees from Stanford University. His research spans archeoastronomy, quasar absorption line spectroscopy, and liberal arts education in Asia. Penprase has served as Dean of Faculty at SUA, a founding faculty member of Yale-NUS College, and Chair of Physics and Astronomy at Pomona College.

Education:

• PhD, Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Chicago (1992)
• MS, Applied Physics, Stanford University
• BS, Physics, Stanford University

Research interests include:

• Global liberal arts curriculum design
• Cultural astronomy
• Type Ia supernova dynamics

His recent academic leadership includes developing SUA's interdisciplinary Life Sciences program, launching Teaching Innovation Grants, and organizing international conferences on STEM education. Penprase has authored/co-authored over 20 peer-reviewed articles and two books on astrophysics and education.

Key administrative roles:

• Director, Yale-NUS Centre for Teaching and Learning
• Member, NUS Teaching Academy
• Co-founder, Liberal Arts Consortium for Online Learning (LACOL)