Ben Zwickl

Ben Zwickl is an Associate Professor in the School of Physics and Astronomy at RIT, serving as Co-Director of the Center for Advancing Scholarship to Transform Learning and Associate School Head. He holds a BS from Purdue University and MS/PhD from Yale University. His research focuses on physics education, career pathways, and STEM workforce development, with emphasis on optics, quantum technology, and graduate student success. He teaches courses like 'Quantum Technology' and 'Teaching and Learning Physics.'

Education:

• BS, Purdue University
• MS, Yale University
• PhD, Yale University

Research Interests: Dr. Zwickl investigates how students transition from academia to STEM careers, particularly in optics and quantum fields. His work addresses challenges in graduate student retention, PhD completion timelines, and the role of laboratory experiences in skill development. Recent studies include analyzing remote undergraduate research during the pandemic and the impact of computational literacy on career readiness.

Grants & Awards: Recent NSF grants include funding for quantum education initiatives and interdisciplinary research. His work on quantum workforce preparation aligns with national priorities highlighted by the UN’s 2025 International Year of Quantum Science.

Labs & Collaborations: Core member of RIT’s Physics Education Research (PER) Group and the Science and Mathematics Education Research Collaborative (SMERC). Active in curriculum development for quantum information science minors and graduate programs.