Steven J. RehseView profile
Professor
Dr. Steven J. Rehse is the Department Head and Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Windsor, specializing in Experimental Biomedical Physics and AMO (Atomic, Molecular, Optical) Physics. His research focuses on laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for rapid bacterial pathogen detection in clinical specimens such as blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid. He has led a prolific research group, mentoring over 20 graduate and undergraduate students, and has presented at international conferences including LIBS XIII, SciX, and the Canadian Association of Physicists (CAP) Congress. His work bridges physics, biomedicine, and chemistry, aiming to develop faster diagnostic tools for infectious diseases. Dr. Rehse holds a Ph.D. from Colorado State University and has held academic positions at the University of Western Ontario and Wayne State University. His awards include the Roger Thibert Teaching Excellence Award (2013) and multiple NSERC grants. His lab collaborates with medical professionals and industry, advancing LIBS applications in clinical settings. Recent projects include emission enhancement techniques using silver thin films and interdisciplinary outreach with pre-optometry students. Key achievements include developing LIBS protocols for urinary tract infections and bacterial meningitis diagnosis, with publications in Spectrochimica Acta, Applied Spectroscopy, and other journals. He advocates for undergraduate research through programs like the Outstanding Scholars initiative and has engaged the public via media appearances and science outreach events.












