Q & A with Professor Shannon O’Leary

September 02, 2011

The following Q & A is part of a series created by the college dean’s office to introduce new faculty. Get to know Assistant Professor of Physics Shannon O’Leary, who joins the faculty this fall, in the interview below.

Education:

Ph.D. 2008, M.A. 2004 University of Oregon; B.S. 1998, cum laude, University of Puget Sound 

Research and Teaching Interests:

Electromagnetically Induced Transparency (EIT) in atomic rubidium vapor with a novel noise spectroscopy technique

What most excites you about joining the LC community?

During my campus visit, I was struck by the easy kinship that I felt with students, faculty, and staff that I met. I also loved the artistic ambiance of the physics department. I look forward to interdisciplinary cross-talk that will energize my scholarship and teaching, and I hope to to benefit from and contribute to the LC community’s strong connection to other cultures.

What kind of hobbies or special activities do you enjoy outside of work?

I enjoy cooking and eating new, interesting plant-based foods, traveling, spending time being active outside, and keeping in touch with family and friends.

What were your childhood goals/aspirations?

I wanted to be an astronaut for many years, and even got to go to Space Camp in the fifth grade. In the end, I settled for being a scientist…a pretty cool consolation prize!

What are you listening to in your car right now?

The Weepies and Indigo Girls—love those poetic lyrics and tight harmonies.

What was your favorite childhood story?

Anne of Green Gables