Joanna Millunchick


EDUCATION:

B.S. (Physics), DePaul University, 1990.
Ph.D. (Materials Science), Northwestern University, 1995


RESEARCH INTERESTS:

Professor Millunchick has two distinct areas of research. The first is in Materials Science and involves manipulating matter on the nanoscale in order to enable the design of new electronic materials for optoelectronic and photovoltaic applications. Specifically, she is fascinated by the details of atomic surface structure of compound semiconductors, self assembly of epitaxial nanostructures, and in situ characterization. The second area of research is in Engineering Education, and studies whether student participation in engineering co-curricular activities confers any benefits, and how to transfer those benefits to attract and retain students typically underrepresented in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. She is also currently developing virtual and augmented reality games to help students learn spatial reasoning and other concepts in the physical sciences.


AWARDS AND SERVICE:

Provost’s Teaching Innovation Prize (2012)

John F. Ullrich Education Excellence Award, University of Michigan College of Engineering (2010)