Physics and Astronomy at Western What's Happening

Silvia Mittler to be new Associate Chair of Graduate Studies

Silvia_Mittler_assoc_grad_chair

Professor Silvia Mittler becomes the new department Associate Chair for Graduate Studies.

Department Chair Shantanu Basu communicates,

“I am very pleased to announce that Prof. Silvia Mittler will be appointed as the new Associate Chair for Graduate Studies in the Department of Physics and Astronomy for a three year term beginning 1 July 2014.

Silvia brings in over a decade of service to this Department and much experience from a career that spans two continents. She will undoubtedly work for the upliftment of our programs, with valuable new insights and initiatives to move us forward. Welcome to this position Silvia!

I would also like to take this opportunity to collectively thank Prof. Bob Sica and Prof. Martin Houde for their work as Associate Chairs during the last two years. Martin has very ably managed the position for the last six months, to complete the term vacated by Bob due to his sabbatical. The last two years have seen many new initiatives and I am particularly pleased that we have developed the culture of regular advisory committee meetings.

A professional bio of Silvia follows:

Silvia Mittler received her Masters in Physics at the University of Mainz, followed by a PhD in Physics jointly from the Max-Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Mainz and the University of Mainz. In 2000, she earned the Habilitation, the highest level academic qualification in Germany, in Physical Chemistry from the University of Mainz. She held postdoctoral fellowships at the Max-Planck Institute for Polymer Research, the University of Arizona, and the University of Central Florida. She was a Project Leader at the Max-Planck Institute for Polymer Research from 1992 till 2003. Silvia joined Western as a Full Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy in 2003. Her research work focuses on the Photonics of Surfaces and Interfaces and on Materials Science more generally. She has a lifetime number of 30 MSc theses and 18 PhD theses either supervised or co-supervised.”