Gregory G. Howes

Gregory G. Howes is a Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Iowa, leading the Plasma Theory and Computation Group. He holds a PhD from UCLA and specializes in theoretical and computational plasma physics, focusing on kinetic plasma turbulence, magnetized plasmas, and solar wind dynamics. His research bridges analytical models, high-performance simulations, and spacecraft data analysis, with applications to space weather and astrophysical phenomena.

Key roles include teaching graduate-level Plasma Physics and High-Performance Computing. He has advised numerous students and postdocs, fostering collaborations across institutions. Notable awards include the 2022 University of Iowa Scholar of the Year and the 2010 PECASE Award. His work on auroral electron acceleration via Alfven waves was recognized in Nature Communications (2021).

Research interests span turbulence dissipation, particle acceleration, and laboratory experiments (e.g., LAPD). He developed the AstroGK code for astrophysical gyrokinetic simulations and pioneered field-particle correlation techniques for plasma diagnostics.

His book project, *Partly Cloudy with a Slight Chance of X-Rays*, aims to explain space weather to the public. Awards highlight his contributions:

• 2022 Scholar of the Year
• 2021 Top 25 Physics Articles
• 2016 Ronald C. Davidson Award

Advising and grants include leadership in NASA-funded projects and partnerships with institutions like UCLA and Dartmouth. His lab’s work on Alfven wave collisions and solar wind dynamics impacts both astrophysics and fusion energy research.

Current and past students/postdocs include James Schroeder (Wheaton College), Kris Klein (University of Arizona), and Kevin Nielson (Georgia Tech), contributing to turbulence simulations and observational analysis.