Matthew J. Berg

Matthew J. Berg is a Professor in the Department of Physics at Kansas State University, specializing in experimental and theoretical electromagnetic scattering for aerosol particle characterization. His research bridges atmospheric science, condensed matter physics, and optical engineering, focusing on improving climate models and developing defense/public health applications.

• Ph.D. (2008) and B.S. (2003) in Physics
• Recipient of NSF CAREER, US Army YIP, and DURIP grants

His work leverages digital holography to solve the inverse problem in light scattering, enabling in situ 3D imaging of aerosols without sample distortion. Recent projects include UAV-based atmospheric monitoring and modifying gold optical properties with ultrafast lasers. Publications span Science Reports, Applied Optics, and Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy and Radiative Transfer.

Scientific awards include:

• National Science Foundation CAREER Award
• US Army Young Investigator Program (YIP) Award
• Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP) Grant

He has advised multiple PhD students and postdocs in aerosol physics, holography, and light scattering. His lab develops innovative techniques for solar energy applications and ferrofluid energy harvesting systems, with patents on drone-based holographic imaging.