Fred Ringwald

Professor Fred Ringwald is a faculty member in the Department of Physics at Fresno State, affiliated with the College of Science and Mathematics. His research focuses on cataclysmic variable binary stars, black holes, neutron stars, and exoplanets, with a particular emphasis on accretion disk physics and stellar magnetism. He oversees research projects at Fresno State's two observatories: the Campus Observatory at Downing Planetarium and the Sierra Remote Observatories station in the Sierra Nevada. He actively mentors students interested in astronomy and astrophysics.

Education: Ph.D. in Physics from Dartmouth College. Courses taught include PHYS 4AL (Mechanics and Wave Motion Lab), PHYS 4C (Light and Modern Physics), and PHYS 150 (Astrophysics).

Research facilities include hands-on instrumentation training at the Campus Observatory and remote-operated telescopes at Sierra Remote Observatories, enabling student-led projects. Professor Ringwald emphasizes collaborative research opportunities for students aligned with available equipment.