Joshua Colwell

Joshua Colwell is the Pegasus Professor and Associate Dean for Research in the College of Sciences at the University of Central Florida (UCF). He holds a B.S. in Physics from Stetson University and a Ph.D. in Astrophysical, Planetary, and Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Colorado at Boulder. His primary affiliation is the UCF Department of Physics, with laboratories in the Stephen W. Hawking Center for Microgravity Research and Education.

Dr. Colwell specializes in planetary science, focusing on solar system origins through studies of Saturn’s rings, asteroids, and comets. His research leverages Cassini mission data (e.g., UVIS instrument) and microgravity experiments to model ring structure, collisional processes, and early planetary formation. Key projects include analyzing Saturn’s ring dynamics via stellar occultations and designing suborbital experiments for granular physics.

Recent work emphasizes Uranus’ ring system and giant planet energy budgets. Over 50 peer-reviewed articles highlight contributions to ring dynamics, particle size distributions, and mission-driven analyses. His interdisciplinary approach bridges observational astrophysics, experimental physics, and planetary engineering.