Faculty Profile on Shannon O’Leary

Assistant Professor of Physics

Education
Ph.D. 2008, M.A. 2004 University of Oregon; B.S. 1998, cum laude, University of Puget Sound 

Research &  Teaching Interests
Electromagnetically Induced Transparency (EIT) in atomic rubidium vapor with a novel noise spectroscopy technique

What most excites you about joining the LC community?
During my campus visit, I was struck by the easy kinship that I felt with students, faculty, and staff that I met. I also loved the artistic ambiance of the physics department. I look forward to interdisciplinary cross-talk that will energize my scholarship and teaching, and I hope to to benefit from and contribute to the LC community’s strong connection to other cultures.

What kind of hobbies or special activities do you enjoy outside of work?
I enjoy cooking and eating new interesting plant-based foods, traveling, spending time being active outside, and keeping in touch with family and friends.

What were your childhood goals/aspirations?
I wanted to be an astronaut for many years, and even got to go to Space Camp in the fifth grade. In the end, I settled for being a scientist… a pretty cool consolation prize!

What are you listening to in your car right now?
The Weepies and Indigo Girls - love those poetic lyrics and tight harmonies.

What was your favorite childhood story?
Anne of Green Gables