Dr. Carol Jones (left) is new Associate Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies in the Faculty of Science.
Dr. Jeff Hutter (at right) is new Associate Dean Academic, in the Faculty of Science.
Dean of Science Charmaine Dean describes the two as follows;
“Carol Jones is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and has held the inaugural position of Assistant Dean, Diversity and Outreach for the Faculty of Science since 2009. During this time Dr. Jones has developed initiatives designed to enhance the working environment here and to strengthen the image of Western through outreach activities and efforts related to diversity on campus.
Her area of expertise is in theoretical Astrophysics, specifically on disks surrounding massive stars. Massive stars affect their surroundings by providing energy via their radiation fields, stellar winds, and by supernova explosions. They also supply heavy elements, the building blocks of planetary systems. Her research focuses on constructing computer models of disk-like material surrounding massive stars, and comparing the results to observations from world-class observatories. She has developed an extensive list of international collaborators and has built a very active and productive research group in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Dr. Jones has established a reputation as an excellent, award-winning teacher. She is extremely effective in the classroom and has served as an inspiration and mentor to many students.
Dr. Jones looks forward to bringing her administrative experience, her skills as a consensus-builder, and her expertise and passion for training to the role of Associate Dean, Graduate and Post-Doctoral Studies for the Faculty of Science.
Jeff Hutter is an experimental condensed-matter physicist with an interest in processes and properties at the nanoscale. He received his BSc and MSc in physics from the University of British Columbia, followed by a PhD from Simon Fraser University in 1997. Jeff joined the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Western in 1999 after completing a postdoctoral term at the Exxon Research and Engineering Company. He has been an Associate Professor since 2006 and Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies since 2008.
Prof. Hutter’s current research projects include: in situ studies of the crystallization of calcium oxalate (the main mineral component of kidney stones), and the inhibition of such crystallization by specific proteins and peptides, using the atomic-force microscope (AFM); measurements of the strength of nanofibres such as spider-mite silk using the AFM; and studies of the viscoelastic properties of hydrogels using light scattering and small-angle neutron scattering.
In his term as Associate Dean, Academic, Prof. Hutter looks forward to working with the member departments of the Faculty of Science to facilitate new programs and initiatives that will increase our profile as a destination of choice for students in the basic sciences.”