Michael J. O'Shea

Michael J. O'Shea is a Professor of Physics at Kansas State University, with a research career spanning experimental condensed matter physics, financial time series analysis, and physics education. His work on magnetic materials includes studies of rare-earth alloys in thin film and nanoparticle forms, while his financial research explores quasi-periodic signals in stock market indices through novel folding techniques.

Research areas include:

• Experimental condensed matter physics (Nd2Fe14B and SmCo5 magnets, neutron irradiated superconductors)
• Financial signal analysis (DJIA periodicity studies)
• Outdoor sports modeling (climbing, snowboarding, canoeing)

Teaching portfolio spans conceptual physics to graduate-level statistical mechanics. Current service roles include Chair of the Graduate Entrance Committee and Departmental Graduate Advisor.

Recent publications focus on:

• Human frame scaling models for backpacking
• Periodic components in financial indices
• Canoe river-crossing dynamics
• Climber force analysis

Collaborations and grants include NSF, Army Research Office, and NATO funding. Graduate advisees include multiple PhD candidates working on magnetic materials and physics education topics.