The Grainger College of Engineering

Vishveshwara named 2010 ACI Fellow

8/13/2010

Smitha Vishveshwara, an assistant professor of physics, was named a 2010 American Competitiveness and Innovation Fellow by the National Science Foundation, "for her contributions to exploration for new states of matter and for promoting career opportunities for women in science."

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Smitha Vishveshwara, an assistant professor of physics, was named a 2010 American Competitiveness and Innovation Fellow by the National Science Foundation, "for her contributions to exploration for new states of matter and for promoting career opportunities for women in science."

 

Smitha Vishveshwara
Smitha Vishveshwara

Vishveshwara is a condensed matter theorist whose research interests span a broad range of topics in condensed matter physics, and in particular, in strongly correlated states of matter at scales where quantum phenomena prevail. her recent work has explored superfluid-Mott phases of bosons in optical lattices, superconducting proximity effects, field effects in carbon nanotubes and "fractionalization" in topologically ordered materials. She maintains strong collaborative ties with experimentalists studying related topics. 

 

Two of her current interests, the dynamics of quenches in quantum systems and topological order, will be the focus of Vishveshwara's ACI fellowship. She plans to study quenching in systems undergoing phase transitions and to explore topological systems with an eye towards harnessing the information carried in different topological sectors.

Selections for the ACI Fellow recognition were made based on the impact of the individual's research activities and their exemplary records of integrating research and education and reaching beyond their offices and classrooms to use science for society's welfare. The National Science Foundation supports the ACI program as part of its emphasis on enabling transformative research that contributes to the needs of society and helps to ensure that the United States remains competitive and innovative in the fast-paced, science- and technology-intensive world of the 21st century.
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Contact: Smitha Vishveshwara, Department of Physics, 217/333-4370.

Writer: Celia M. Elliott, Department of Physics, 217/244-7725.

If you have any questions about the College of Engineering, or other story ideas, contact Rick Kubetz, Engineering Communications Office, 217/244-7716, editor.

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This story was published August 13, 2010.