| Physics doctoral student Joe Musser wasn’t born in Texas, but he’s certainly has strong roots here. His father graduated from Texas A&M in 1953; his brother just finished a PhD here; and Musser should complete his doctoral studies next year. A graduate of West Texas State A&M, Musser taught high school physics in Amarillo for eight years. Then he felt he was stagnating and he needed to go back to school for more physics. Musser’s research is funded by the George P. Mitchell ’40 Endowed Chair in Experimental Physics, which is held by Dr. Ed Fry, a physicist and head of the Department of Physics at Texas A&M. “Texas A&M took a risk on me since I hadn’t done any courses in nearly a decade,” Musser said. “Research keeps you sharp.” In Dr. Fry’s laboratory, Musser is working with lasers and optics. He particularly likes working with the equipment and figuring out how things work. Musser said he started out in theoretical physics, but when Dr. Marlan Scully sent him to MIT to work in the laboratories there, he found how much he enjoyed laboratory work. One of the laboratory projects he’s working on involves biodetection for anthrax. The lab is working with Texas A&M mechanical engineering professor Andrew McFarland, who has developed aerosol sensors to protect against biothreats. “The optical trigger we’re working on can detect particles down to 1 micron,” Musser said. Another project involves optical sensors for use in the oceanographic community. The sensors will use light scattering to collect various measurements in the ocean, Musser said. The optics lab also has developed the best diffuse reflector, or mirror, for research of its kind, Musser said. The mirror uses common materials in an uncommon way and could have commercial potential, he added. Musser is a living example of how one generous person — in this case George Mitchell — can magnify the impact of the Aggie Spirit through an investment in academic excellence. After he completes his PhD next year, Musser hopes to stay in academia. He has enjoyed the combination of teaching and research at the collegiate level, and working with students has been a good experience. “It’s fun to watch the wheels turn, and see the ideas click, and then the light comes on when they get it,” he said.
By Mike Downey
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