Eric Burkholder

Eric Burkholder is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at Auburn University. His research focuses on Physics and Engineering Education, emphasizing authentic problem-solving, equity in STEM, and student performance analysis. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology (2018), an M.S. from Caltech (2016), and a B.A. from Cornell University (2014). His professional roles include postdoctoral research at Stanford University and teaching/research assistantships at Caltech.

Dr. Burkholder's research explores STEM education challenges, including equitable outcomes in physics courses, assessment of problem-solving skills, and cooperative learning strategies. His work aims to improve introductory physics curricula and address demographic disparities in student performance. He is a member of the APS-IDEA Network and has reviewed for journals like Physical Review Physics Education Research and the Journal of Engineering Education.

His publications span topics like decision-making in engineering coursework, the impact of active learning, and the role of mathematics prerequisites in physics performance. Recent work critiques policies hindering DEI efforts in STEM and explores AI's role in problem-solving education.

While no formal grants or awards are listed, his extensive publications and peer-reviewed activities highlight his contributions to education research. He collaborates on projects involving curriculum design, assessment frameworks, and student persistence strategies in STEM disciplines.