New Assistant Professor Reaches for the Stars

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Bret Lehmer

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Bret Lehmer will join the Department of Physics in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences this fall as an assistant professor. Lehmer comes to the University of Arkansas from Johns Hopkins University and the Goddard Space Flight Center. 

Lehmer's research interests include extragalactic multi-wavelength surveys of normal and active galaxies; the formation and evolution of X-ray binary and compact object populations in galaxies; and the coevolution of galaxies and their central supermassive black holes.

"Dr. Lehmer has an impressive publication record, and is already recognized as an authority in the field of extragalactic X-ray astronomy," said Julio Gea-Banacloche, department chair. "He will be a great addition to our astronomy and astrophysics programs, which consistently attract many interested students, both graduate and undergraduate."

Lehmer's research has received more than $1 million in grants. His many awards include the Early Career Achievement Award from Pennsylvania State University and the Einstein Fellow award from John Hopkins University.

"I am happy to be part of the Fulbright College family," said Lehmer. "It is an honor to work with such an esteemed physics department."

Lehmer holds a Bachelor of Science in physics and astronomy from the University of Iowa and a doctorate in astronomy and astrophysics from Pennsylvania State University.

About the Department of Physics: The Department of Physics offers degrees that provide a broad background in the physics and technology of today and tomorrow with courses in astronomy, biophysics, computational physics, electronics and optics and research opportunities in astronomy, biophysics, nanophysics, computational/theoretical physics and quantum and non-linear physics.