Nancy A. Burnham

Nancy A. Burnham is a Full Professor in the Department of Physics at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), with an affiliation to the Biomedical Engineering Department since 2012. She holds a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Colorado, Boulder (1987). Her research focuses on nanoscience, atomic-force microscopy (AFM), and the mechanical properties of nanomaterials, with contributions to biophysics, energy materials, and surface analysis. She directs WPI's Switzerland Project Center (since 2015) and teaches courses like Atomic Force Microscopy (PH 561), Relativity (PH 3501), and Intermediate Mechanics (PH 2202). Her work includes over 100 publications, 14,000 citations (h-index 38), and awards such as the 2001 Nanotechnology Recognition Award and AVS Fellowship (2010).

• Education: BA Colgate University (1980), MS and PhD University of Colorado, Boulder (1985-1987)
• Professional Experience: Postdoctoral Fellowships at Naval Research Lab, Forschungszentrum Jülich, and École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Her research interests include characterizing nanomaterials, interpreting AFM data, and developing instrumentation for nanomechanics. She has contributed to studies on bacterial adhesion, asphalt binder microstructures, and perovskite solar cells. Burnham is active in professional societies, including as Treasurer of the AVS Nanoscience Division.

Her teaching philosophy emphasizes hands-on learning, with courses designed to bridge theory and application. She has developed a Minor in Nanoscience at WPI and created AFM educational resources, including YouTube tutorials and a textbook.