Mary Bridget Kustusch

Mary Bridget Kustusch is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics and Astrophysics within the College of Science and Health at DePaul University. She specializes in Physics Education Research (PER) with a focus on how students develop conceptual understanding of physics through multiple representations and embodied experiences.

Dr. Kustusch earned her BS in Physics from North Park University and her PhD in Physics from North Carolina State University. She completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at Oregon State University working on the Paradigms in Physics project. Her educational background has shaped her interdisciplinary approach to physics education research.

Her research explores the connections between mathematics and physics learning, with particular emphasis on kinesthetic and embodied experiences as mediating resources for students. Current research projects focus on group decision-making processes and the development of meta-cognitive and sense-making skills in physics problem-solving. Drawing from physics, education, and cognitive psychology traditions, she employs mixed-methods research approaches that directly inform curriculum design and teacher development programs.

Dr. Kustusch is an active member of the American Association of Physics Teachers and American Physical Society, where she has served as an invited speaker and session organizer at national conferences. Her scholarly work has been published in leading journals including American Journal of Physics, Physical Review Special Topics - Physics Education Research, The Physics Teacher, and Journal of College Science Teaching.

As an educator, she applies her research findings to develop effective teaching strategies, particularly in thermodynamics and electromagnetism instruction. Her publications on right-hand rules, thermodynamic derivatives, and everyday science phenomena have influenced physics teaching practices at multiple institutions.

A native Chicagoan, Dr. Kustusch maintains strong community connections, spending time with her extended family and enjoying the city's cultural offerings. She relaxes by knitting or reading science fiction and detective stories with tea. Not having owned a car since 2004, she frequently walks to the 'L' train for her commute to DePaul's campus.