Desiré Delia Whitmore (born 1980)[1] is an American laser physicist, science communicator, and physics educator at the Exploratorium in San Francisco.
Desiré Delia Whitmore | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1980 (age 43–44) |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Antelope Valley College (AS) University of California, Los Angeles (BS) University of California, Irvine (MS, PhD) |
| Scientific career | |
| Doctoral advisor | Eric Potma[1] |
| Website | www |
Early life and education
editWhitmore was raised in Southern California and developed an interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) at an early age.[2][3][4][5] She attended Antelope Valley College, where she earned an Associate of Science degree in physical sciences. She then transferred to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering. Whitmore went on to earn her Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in chemical and material physics from the University of California, Irvine.[3][4][5][6][7]
Career
editWhitmore's research focuses on laser spectroscopy and the development of ultrafast laser systems.[2][4][8] Her PhD research focused on the development of very fast laser systems to study the vibrations of single molecules, electrons traveling across metal surfaces, and the fluorescence of semiconducting quantum dots.[4][8] She conducted postdoctoral research at the University of California, Berkeley, where she designed and built tabletop attosecond X-ray laser systems, which produce the fastest laser pulses ever measured.[3][4][5]
Whitmore has taught physics and laser technology courses at Irvine Valley College,[2][3][5][6] and helped develop the photonics initiative at the Advanced Technology & Education Park (ATEP).[9] She has also worked as a science curriculum specialist and developer at the Lawrence Hall of Science, where she created a science curriculum and learning materials for K–8 students.[2][10] As of 2024, Whitmore is a senior physics educator at the Exploratorium, where she leads professional development workshops for middle and high school teachers.[3][4][5][8]
References
edit- ^ a b Kruschwitz, Jennifer. "Profile of a Female Scientist: An Interview with Desiré Whitmore" (PDF). University of California, Irvine. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 30, 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Desiré Whitmore". American Physical Society. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "Desiré Whitmore". Exploratorium. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f "Desiré Whitmore". NPR. February 18, 2022. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "2019 APS CUWiP at UC Davis". UC Davis. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ a b Rattini, Kristin (2022). "Laser-focused on science education". UCI News. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ "Desiré Whitmore". SPIE. 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Member Spotlight". CASE. December 2022. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
- ^ "Desiré Whitmore". Optical Society of Southern California. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ "Desiré Whitmore, Ph.D." Center for Research on Expanding Educational Opportunity. University of California, Berkeley. Retrieved October 4, 2024.