Gayle Ratliff

Gayle Ratliff is an Assistant Professor of Instruction at Northwestern University's Department of Physics and Astronomy. She holds a PhD in Physics from the Illinois Institute of Technology (2015), an S.M. in Engineering Systems from MIT (200?), and a B.S. in Physics from Florida State University. Prior to joining Northwestern in 2019, she served as an adjunct professor at Illinois Institute of Technology and conducted postdoctoral research at the Adler Planetarium with the VERITAS Collaboration in high energy astrophysics.

• Education: B.S., Florida State University; S.M., MIT; PhD, Illinois Tech

Her research interests include high-energy astrophysics and innovative intersections between art/dance and scientific disciplines. She actively promotes physics education through pedagogical initiatives and has received teaching awards. Ratliff combines her background in classical dance with science outreach, creating interdisciplinary projects that bridge art and physics concepts.

• Awards: Teaching Excellence Award (2018), School of American Ballet Fellowship (2018-2019)

Her professional trajectory includes research in astroparticle physics and educational leadership roles. Collaborations with institutions like the Adler Planetarium demonstrate her commitment to advancing both scientific research and public engagement.