FREDERICK ARTHUR RINGWALD

Department of Physics
California State University, Fresno
2345 E. San Ramon Ave., M/S MH37
Fresno, CA 93740-8031
U.S.A.
E-mail: ringwald[at]csufresno.edu
Phone: +1-559-278-8426
Secretary: +1-559-278-2371
Fax: +1-559-278-7741
Citizenship: U. S.


EDUCATION

Ph. D., Physics, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Dartmouth College, 1993
Thesis: The Cataclysmic Variables from the Palomar-Green Survey
Advisor: Prof. John R. Thorstensen

B. A. (double), Physics and Astronomy, Northwestern University, 1987

Diploma (magna cum laude), DeLand High School, DeLand, Florida, 1976


CURRENT POSITION

Professor of Physics, California State University, Fresno, 2011 - now.
(Associate Professor, 2005 - 2011; Assistant Professor, 2000 - 2005.)
Teaching and research in astronomy and physics. Courses taught:

PSCI 21 Elementary Astronomy (2000-2006, 2008-2016, 2021 Fall, 2001-2008, 2010-2014, 2017, 2021-2022 Spring)
(introductory course primarily for non-majors, with lab;
PSci 21 Coordinator for 2-4 lectures, 7-13 labs, and 2-7 lecture and lab instructors,
for both in-person and online lectures and labs, 2000-now)

PHYS 4A Mechanics and Wave Motion (2016 Spring)
(first-semester, calculus-based, introductory physics of classical mechanics)

PHYS 4AL Laboratory for Mechanics and Wave Motion (2023 Spring)
(first-semester, calculus-based, introductory classical mechanics lab)

PHYS 4C Light and Modern Physics (2004-2005, 2007-2017, 2020-2023 Spring, 2004-2006, 2008-2016, 2019-2022 Fall)
(third-semester, calculus-based, introductory optics and modern physics)

PHYS 150 Astrophysics (2001-2002, 2004 Fall, 2006-2008, 2010, 2012-2017, 2019, 2021, 2023 Spring)
(introductory astronomy, for students with one year of calculus-based physics)

PHYS 151 Observational Astronomy (formerly PHYS 175T) (2003, 2005-2006, 2008, 2011-2015, 2018, 2020, 2022 Fall)
(developed upper-level course for physics majors, making extensive use of Fresno State's Campus Observatory)

PHYS 175T Physical Cosmology and Galaxies (2019 Fall)
(developed upper-level course for physics majors)

PHYS 175T Orbital Mechanics and Spaceflight (2018, 2021 Fall)
(developed upper-level course for physics majors, using C++)

PHYS 175T Computational Physics (2001 Fall)
(developed upper-level course for physics majors, using C)

PSCI 168 Energy and the Environment (2001-2002, 2004-2005 Spring)
(seminar on energy and the environment, emphasizing conceptual physics for non-majors)

NSCI 116 Energy, Technology, and Society (2002 Fall)
(developed course for K-6 teachers on energy and the impact of technology on society)

NSCI 140T Topics in Natural Sciences: Astronomy (2005 Spring)
(developed seminar for K-12 science teachers on astronomy and planetary science)

Director, Fresno State's station at Sierra Remote Observatories, California State University, Fresno, 2008-now.

Director, Campus Observatory, California State University, Fresno, 2002-now.


TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Faculty Research Mentor for NSF-sponsored Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation
Bridge To The Doctorate (CSU-LSAMP BD) Research Fellow program (Cohort 16),
2020-2021.

Mentor for NSF-sponsored Cal-Bridge North scholarship program,
"to increase the number of California State University (CSU) students
completing their bachelors degree and successfully entering a PhD program
to study physics, astronomy, or a closely related field," 2019 Fall.

Supervised NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) students,
2010 Summer (at San Diego State), 1999 Summer (at Florida Tech),
and 1995 - 1996 (at Planetary Science Institute).

Visiting Assistant Professor of Physics and Space Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology,
1998 - 2000. Teaching and research in astronomy and astrophysics. Courses taught:

SPS 1010 Introductory Astronomy (1998 and 1999 Fall)
(first-year course for physics and space sciences majors and non-majors)

SPS 1020 Introduction to Space Sciences (1999 and 2000 Spring)
(first-year course on the Solar System, for majors and non-majors)

PHY 1050 Freshman Seminar (1998 and 1999 Fall)
(first-year seminar on critical thinking, scientific conduct, and ethics)

PHY 2003 Modern Physics (2000 Summer)
(sophomore-level modern physics, for science and engineering majors)

SPS 2010 Observational Astronomy (1998 and 1999 Fall)
(sophomore practical astronomy, with laboratory)

SPS 3020 Methods and Instrumentation in Astronomy and Space Science (2000 Spring)
(junior-level ``obs & tech,'' including sessions with the SARA telescope)

SPS 3030 Orbital Mechanics (1999 Spring)
(junior-level applied classical mechanics and spacecraft navigation)

PHY 4071 Senior Laboratory 2 (1999 Spring and 2000 Spring)
(developed and supervised laboratory in solar physics)

Professor, Florida Space Institute, NASA Kennedy Space Center: section of SPS 3020,
including laboratory with an infrared satellite tracking telescope (2000 Spring)

Faculty advisor, Florida Institute of Technology Astronomy Society, 1998 - 2000

Teaching Fellow, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Dartmouth College, 1987 - 1992

Astronomical Assistant, Adler Planetarium, Chicago, 1983 - 1985
(Performed sky shows, both public, and live to grades 4 - 12; answered public inquiries)


RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Post Doctoral Scholar, The Pennsylvania State University, 1996 - 1998

Postdoctoral Researcher, Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, Arizona, 1995 - 1996

PPARC/SERC Research Fellow in Astrophysics, Keele University, England, 1993 - 1995

Research Assistant, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Northwestern University, 1987
(Mission planning for the NASA A. H. Compton Gamma Ray Observatory satellite)


OBSERVING EXPERIENCE

Co-Investigator, Hubble Space Telescope program 9852,
"Whirling Dervish Dynamos: Magnetic Activity in CV Secondaries" (STIS spectroscopy)
(Steve Saar, PI)

Principal Investigator, Hubble Space Telescope program 7386,
"A Snapshot Survey of Nova Shells" (WFPC2 imaging)

Co-Investigator, Chandra X-ray Observatory program 0200482,
"The Origin of Soft X-rays in DQ Herculis" (ACIS imaging) (Koji Mukai, PI)

Co-Investigator, Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer program B104,
"Density, Velocity and Ionization Structure in Accretion-disc Winds" (Knox Long, PI)

Visiting Astronomer, Wyoming Infrared Observatory, 2011 June and September (Cassegrain spectroscopy)

Visiting Astronomer, Mount Laguna Observatory, California, 2010 June, 2005 June, 2004 August, July, and June, 2003 June, and 2002 August (CCD photometry), 2002 July (Cassegrain spectroscopy), 2001 June (photoelectric photometry), 2000 December (infrared array photometry)

Visiting Astronomer, Telescopio Nazionale Galileo, Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos, La Palma, 2006 December (near-infrared spectroscopy)

Visiting Astronomer, Kitt Peak National Observatory,
2003 September (Cassegrain spectroscopy), 1997 May (WIYN imaging), 1993 December and 1991 February (infrared array photometry)

Visiting Astronomer, W. M. Keck Observatory, Mauna Kea, Hawaii,
2001 August (echelle spectroscopy with HIRES)

Visiting Astronomer, Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, Mauna Kea, Hawaii, 1999 July (large-format CCD imaging with CFH12k mosaic)

Visiting Astronomer, Southeast Association for Research in Astronomy (SARA) Observatory, Kitt Peak, Arizona, 1999 June (CCD imaging)

Visiting Astronomer, McDonald Observatory, 1998 December (Cassegrain spectroscopy), 1997 May (Cassegrain spectroscopy and CCD photometry), 1993 October (high-speed photometry)

Visiting Astronomer, Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory, Chile, 1998 April (Cassegrain spectroscopy), 1994 July (CCD photometry)

Visiting Astronomer, Observatoire du Pic du Midi, France, 1995 June (échelle spectroscopy), 1994 July (linear polarimetry)

Visiting Astronomer, Mount Stromlo Observatory, Australian National University, 1995 May and February (coudé-échelle spectroscopy)

Visiting Astronomer, William Herschel Telescope, Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos, La Palma, 1995 February (high-speed optical spectroscopy)

Compiled long-term light curves, Harvard College Observatory Plate Archive, 1994 December, 1993 December, 1993 July, 1991 Summer (photographic photometry)

Over 130 nights' total observing experience in optical spectroscopy, photometry, and imaging at Michigan-Dartmouth-MIT Observatory, Kitt Peak, 1987 - 1994

Guest Observer, International Ultraviolet Explorer satellite, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, 1991 May


AWARDS

Nominated for Outstanding Advisor Award, Office of the Provost, California State University, Fresno, 2015

Seventh Heliophysics Summer School, "Heliophysics of the Solar System," University Corporation for Atmospheric Research/NASA Living With a Star (LWS) program, 2013

Selected for inclusion in Who's Who in Academia, 2013

Selected for inclusion in Who's Who Among Executives and Professionals, 2009-2010

Selected for inclusion in Montclair's Who's Who in Collegiate Faculty, 2008

Selected for inclusion in the AcademicKeys Who's Who in Sciences Higher Education (WWSHE), 2004

Selected for Marquis Who's Who in America, 56th edition, 2002

Selected for Marquis Who's Who in Science and Engineering, 1999-2001 edition

NASA Space Grant Award for Outstanding Graduate Student Research, 1992

National Center for Atmospheric Research/High Altitude Observatory, Summer Colloquium on Observational Techniques and Data Interpretation in Solar Physics, 1989


PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

NASA Peer Review Panel, for the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), Philadelphia, PA, 2023 May

International Committee, College of Science and Mathematics, California State University, Fresno, 2022 - now

Chair, Rank, Tenure, and Promotion Committee for Dr. Ettore Vitali, Department of Physics, California State University, Fresno, 2020-2022

Chair, Difference in Pay/Sabbatical Review Committee, Department of Physics, California State University, Fresno, 2019 and 2021

Exceptional Levels of Service to Students Assigned Time Committee, Department of Physics, California State University, Fresno, 2019

Chair, Rank, Tenure, and Promotion Committee for Dr. Ettore Vitali, Department of Physics, California State University, Fresno, 2018-2019

Rank, Tenure, and Promotion Committee for Dr. Mihai Gherase, Department of Physics, California State University, Fresno, 2016

Rank, Tenure, and Promotion Committee for Dr. Yongsheng Gao, Department of Physics, California State University, Fresno, 2015-2016

Rank, Tenure, and Promotion Committee for Dr. Daqing Zhang, Department of Physics, California State University, Fresno, 2015

Chair, Three-Year Review Committee for Lecturers, Department of Physics, California State University, Fresno, 2014

Committee on Appointments, Retention, Tenure, Promotion, and Leave (ARTPL), College of Science and Mathematics, California State University, Fresno, 2013 - 2016

Editor, College of Science and Mathematics Newsletter, California State University, Fresno, 2010 - 2011

Acting Chair, Department of Physics, California State University, Fresno, 2008 Summer, 2009 Spring

Departmental Senator for the Department of Physics, Academic Senate, California State University, Fresno, 2006 - 2009

Panel Reviewer, Interacting Binaries and Novae, National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA, 2009 April 20-21

Curriculum Committee, College of Science and Mathematics, California State University, Fresno, 2008 - 2010

Budget and Space Committee, College of Science and Mathematics, California State University, Fresno, 2008 - 2011

Chair, Rank, Tenure, and Promotion Committee for Dr. Daqing Zhang, Department of Physics, California State University, Fresno, 2009

Rank, Tenure, and Promotion Committee for Dr. Yongsheng Gao, Department of Physics, California State University, Fresno, 2008 - 2009

Rank, Tenure, and Promotion Committee for Dr. Pei-Chun Ho, Department of Physics, California State University, Fresno, 2008 and 2012

Chair, Rank, Tenure, and Promotion Committee for Dr. Charles Tenney, Department of Physics, California State University, Fresno, 2008

Faculty Search Committee, Department of Physics, California State University, Fresno, 2006-2007

Chair, College Academic Policy and Professional Development Committee, College of Science and Mathematics,California State University, Fresno, 2006 - 2007

Chair, Research Committee, College of Science and Mathematics, California State University, Fresno, 2004 - 2006; Member, 2004 - 2007

Ad Hoc Video/Computer Committee, College of Science and Mathematics, California State University, Fresno, 2001

NASA Peer Review Panel, for Chandra X-ray Observatory, Washington, DC, 2002 June

Planetarium Committee, Downing Planetarium, California State University, Fresno, 2000 - now

NASA Peer Review Panel, for the Astrophysics Data Program (ADP) and the Long Term Space Astrophysics (LTSA) Program, Washington, DC, 2000 July

Coordinator, International Small Telescope Cooperative, 1998 - 2000

Staff Contact and Local Organizing Committee Member, IAU Colloquium 158, Cataclysmic Variables and Related Objects, Keele University, England, 1995 June

Referee, for papers in the Astrophysical Journal, Astronomical Journal, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan, Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, Journal of the American Association of Variable Star Observers, and the American Journal of Physics, since 1990.


PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES

International Astronomical Union, Commission 42 (Close Binary Stars), admitted 1997

American Astronomical Society, Full Member, admitted 1990

I am proud to have belonged to great amateur astronomy societies in many places I've lived: the Central Valley Astronomers, the American Association of Variable Star Observers, the Central Pennsylvania Observers, the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association, the Keele Astronomical Society, and the Chicago Astronomical Society.



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Last updated 2023 May 30. Web page by Professor Ringwald (ringwald[at]csufresno.edu)
Department of Physics, California State University, Fresno. Please read this disclaimer.