Tim McKay

Tim McKay is a Professor of Physics at the University of Michigan's College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. His primary research focuses on cosmology, astrophysics, and physics education innovation. He developed the A.I.saac virtual assistant and ECoach system to enhance student success in STEM courses. His work includes projects like the Dark Energy Survey (DES), studying galaxy clusters and cosmic expansion.

McKay has contributed to groundbreaking studies on STEM education equity, course design, and learning analytics. His research spans over 15 years, with major contributions to understanding gendered performance disparities and institutional support mechanisms. He received the 2019 Fundamental Physics Innovation Award and the 2020 Provost's Teaching Innovation Prize for his Problem Roulette tool.

Key awards include recognition for teaching and mentorship, reflecting his dual commitment to research and pedagogy. His interdisciplinary work integrates astrophysics data analysis with educational technology, addressing both cosmic questions and classroom challenges.