Physics & Engineering
Faculty & Staff

In the Physics & Engineering department, we have an excellent, experienced staff and faculty, ready to help you reach your goals at FMU.

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  • Dr. Bryngelson Ginger
    Dr. Ginger Bryngelson Associate Professor of Physics gbryngelson@fmarion.edu Phone843-661-1553 Departments
    Physics and Engineering
    OfficeLSF 103A
    Additional information

    Education

    B.S. in Physics, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 2006

    M.S. in Physics, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 2008

    Ph.D. in Physics, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 2012

    Interests

    Astrophysics, Thermonuclear (Type Ia) Supernovae

    Recent Courses Taught

    Technical Physics (both the Calculus and Algebra based sequences), Physical Science for Teachers, Astronomy

    Photo of Ginger Bryngelson
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  • Dr. Cintron-Gonzalez Lorna
    Dr. Lorna Cintron-Gonzalez Associate Professor of Industrial Engineering, Coordinator of Industrial Engineering lcintrongonzalez@fmarion.edu Phone843-661-1463 Departments
    Industrial EngineeringPhysics and Engineering
    OfficeMSB 101D
    Additional information

    Interests

    Human Factors, Quality Control, Manufacturing Processes

    Education P

    hD, Penn State University, Industrial Engineering (2013)

    MS, Georgia Institute of Technology, Health Systems (2006)

    BS, University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez, Industrial Engineering (2005)  

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  • Dr. Fulmer Philip C.
    Dr. Philip C. Fulmer Professor of Physics pfulmer@fmarion.edu Phone843-661-1443 Departments
    Physics and Engineering
    OfficeMSB 108A
    Additional information

    In 1985, I entered Francis Marion University (then Francis Marion College) where I majored in health physics, a multidisciplinary degree that is aimed at protection of workers and the public from harmful effects of radiation while allowing beneficial uses of the radiation.

    Following graduation in 1989, I moved to College Station, TX to attend Texas A&M University. My second year at A&M, I was asked to take on teaching responsibilities, which led to my being reclassified as an instructor teaching senior-level undergraduate classes in radiological engineering and radiation detection and instrumentation.

    My research at A&M was of a practical experimental nature. For my PhD research, I experimented with novel ways to develop a thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) material that would have a flat energy response. Through design of a new type of optical filter on a standard TLD reader, I was able to achieve this purpose, thus achieving what had never been done before. Unfortunately, the sensitivity of this device could not rival the existing technology; so a commercial system based on this technology was never developed.

    After graduating with my PhD, I entered the workforce; I've had some interesting jobs over the years, such as the following;

    • Consultant: Halliburton NUS
    • Lead Technical Specialist: Carolina Power & Light
    • Consultant: Tetra Tech
    • Consultant: Dade Moeller & Associates

    At Carolina Power and Light Company, I was the technical lead responsible for the TLD program at CP&L's three nuclear plants. It was enjoyable and involved quite a bit of technical work and administrative work to maintain reliable records for annual dose reports as well as internal planning documents.

    During my time as a consultant, I worked as project manager or deputy project manager on several high-profile projects for the Department of Energy. Most of them pertained to environmental impact statements at various locations. That required me to become fluent in several discipline areas so that I could oversee the preparation of technical sections of the document and review the work of the various subject matter experts.

    In addition, I am a certified health physicist (CHP); this is a national professional certification for the multidisciplinary field of health physics. I served for 4 years on the Part II Exam Panel of the American Board of Health Physics, which involved both writing and grading part of the certification exam for other health physicists who were interested in becoming CHPs.

    photo of Philip Fulmer
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  • Dr. Jokisch Derek
    Dr. Derek Jokisch Chair, Department of Physics and Engineering, Professor of Physics djokisch@fmarion.edu Phone843-661-4653 Departments
    Physics and Engineering
    OfficeLSF 103C
    Additional information

    Education

    PhD, Nuclear Engineering Sciences (Health Physics), University of Florida

    MS, Nuclear Engineering Sciences (Health Physics), University of Florida

    BS, Nuclear Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

    Interests

    Radiation protection, computational dosimetry, dosimetry of the skeleton, internal dosimetry

    Recent Courses Taught

    Technical Physics, Radiation Biology, Nuclear Physics, Radiation Physics

    Awards

    Elda Anderson Award (2010) – Given by the Health Physics Society to a young member of the HPS to recognize excellence in research or development, discovery or invention, devotion to health physics, and/or significant contributions to the profession of health physics

    J. Lorin Mason Distinguished Professor Award (2011) – Given by Francis Marion University and based upon a faculty member’s contributions to teaching, scholarship, and professional service. This award is the highest honor bestowed to a faculty member by the university.

    FMU Board of Trustees Research Scholar (2014-present)

    FMU Faculty Service Award for Outstanding Scholarship/Research (2006)

    Roberts Prize (2012) – Given by the publishers of Physics in Medicine and Biology and the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine for the best paper published in PMB during the previous year.

    Most Valuable Partner Award (2006) – FMU Athletics  

    Professional Appointments

    Francis Marion University (1999-present)

    Professor and Chair  

    Oak Ridge National Laboratory (2014-present)

    Joint Faculty Appointment in the Center for Radiation Protection Knowledge  

    International Commission on Radiological Protection

    Member of Committee 2 – Doses from Radiation Exposure (2017-2021)

    Task Group 96 (2014-present)

    Task Group on Dose Calculations (2009-2014)  

    US Department of Energy – Russian Health Studies Program

    US Scientific Review Group (2016-present)    

    Selected Publications

    ICRP Publication 133 – The ICRP computational framework for internal dose assessment for reference adults: specific absorbed fractions.  Ann. ICRP 45 (2): 1-74; 2016.

    “An image-based skeletal model for the ICRP reference adult male – specific absorbed fractions for neutron-generated recoil protons.”  Physics in Medicine and Biology 56:6857-6872; 2011.

    “Methods for the inclusion of shallow marrow and adipose tissue in pathlength-based skeletal dosimetry.” Physics in Medicine and Biology 56:2699-2713; 2011.

    “An image-based skeletal dosimetry model for the ICRP reference adult male – internal electron sources.” Physics in Medicine and Biology 56: 2309-2346; 2011.

    photo of Derek Jokisch
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  • Dr. Kanaparthi Mark
    Dr. Mark Kanaparthi Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Mark.Kanaparthi@FMarion.edu Phone843-661-1548 Departments
    Mechanical EngineeringPhysics and Engineering
    OfficeMSB 108 B
    Additional information

    Research Interests

    Aerosol Fluid Mechanics, CFD modeling, Inverse problems

    Education

    PhD, Clarkson University,Potsdam, NY, Mechanical Engineering (2018)

    BS/MS, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, India, Physics (2012)

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  • Dr. Myers Jeannette M.
    Dr. Jeannette M. Myers Professor of Astronomy, Coordinator of Astronomy Program, Director of Dooley Planetarium jmyers@fmarion.edu Phone843-661-1441 Departments
    Physics and Engineering
    OfficeLSF 103F
    Additional information

    Degrees

    • Ph.D. in Astrophysics, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, 2003.
    • M.S. in Physics, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, 1999.
    • B.S. in Astronomy and Physics, Mankato State University, Mankato, Minnesota, 1996.

    Research Interests

    Galaxy Halo Formation

    Galaxy Collisions

    Star Formation

    Helium Flash

    Teaching Interests

    I have been an astronomy professor at FMU since 2003 and am actively involved in teaching all of the astronomy courses in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. I have taught the Physics 216 (General Physics II) course during the summer sessions as well as classes for Middle School Science teachers. I have developed courses and laboratories for the Astronomy program at Francis Marion University.

    Recent Conferences

    • SuperComputing SC11, Seattle, WA 2011
    • SuperComputing SC10, New Orleans, LA 2010
    • American Physical Society, SE Section, Atlanta, GA 2009
    • American Physical Society, SE Section, Nashville, TN 2007
    • American Physical Society, SE Section, Williamsburg, VA 2006
    • American Physical Society, SE Section, Gainesville, FL 2005
    • American Astronomical Society, Minneapolis, MN 2005
    • South Carolina Academy of Sciences, Rock Hill 2005
    • American Physical Society, SE Section, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 2004
    • American Astronomical Society, Atlanta, GA 2004

    Professional Memberships and Honors

    • Member, American Astronomical Society
    • Member, Phi Kappa Phi
    • Member, American Physical Society
    • Member, Sigma Pi Sigma National Physics Honor Society
    • Southeastern Section of the American Physical Society
    • Member, South Carolina Academy of Science
    Photo of Jeannette Myers
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  • Dr. Potter Michael
    Dr. Michael Potter Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Coordinator of Mechanical Engineering Michael.Potter@fmarion.edu Phone843-661-1626 Departments
    Mechanical EngineeringPhysics and Engineering
    OfficeMSB 101-A
    Additional information

    Research Interests

    Wearable sensors, human biomechanics, athlete and warfighter performance, sensor fusion, dynamics, engineering education

    Education

    PhD, Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (2021)

    MS, Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (2019)

    BSME, Mechanical Engineering, Ohio Northern University, Ada (2016)

    BS, Physics, Ohio Northern University, Ada (2016)

    Michael Potter photo
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  • Dr. Smith R. Sethfield
    Dr. R. Sethfield Smith Pee Dee Electric Cooperative Professor of Physics rsmith@fmarion.edu Phone843-661-1453 Departments
    Physics and Engineering
    OfficeLSF 103D
    Additional information

    Degrees

    • Ph.D. in Physics, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 1987.
    • M.S. in Physics, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 1985.
    • B.A. in Mathematics (major), Physics (minor), Francis Marion University, Florence, South Carolina, 1983.

    Research Interests – Experimental Laser Physics I am interested in many aspects of laser spectroscopy and laser design. My past work has included the following:

    • Design and construction of numerous laser systems, including an open-cavity helium neon laser, a nitrogen laser, a diode laser, and a grazing-incidence dye laser
    • Construction of a Cesium heat pipe, heat pipe temperature controller, ionization detection circuit, and computer-interface module
    • Resonance ionization spectroscopy and multiphoton ionization spectroscopy on Cesium using a Nd:YAG-pumped dye laser system
    • Diode laser fluorescence spectroscopy and saturated absorption spectroscopy on Rubidium
    • Grazing-incidence dye laser performance as a function of grazing angle, pump laser intensity, dye concentration, and dye solvent.
    • Experiments on polarization characteristics, transverse electromagnetic modes, and resonator stability in an open-cavity helium-neon laser.
    • Design and construction of an optical detection system, photomultiplier tube housing, and scanning system for a monochromator.

    Teaching Interests

    I have been a physics professor at FMU since 1989 and am actively involved in teaching many of the courses in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. During my tenure as a physics professor, I have taught all of the following courses:

    PSCI101-Physical Science I, PSCI101L-Physical Science I Laboratory, PSCI102-Physical Science II, PSCI102L-Physical Science II Laboratory, Phys200-Technical Physics I, PHYS200L-Technical Physics I Laboratory, Phys201-Technical Physics II, Phys201L-Technical Physics II Laboratory, Phys202-Technical Physics III, Phys202L-Technical Physics III Laboratory, Phys215-General Physics I, Phys215L-General Physics I Laboratory, Phys216-General Physics II, Phys216L-General Physics II Laboratory, Phys301-Classical Mechanics, Phys302-Electricity and Magnetism, Phys310-Electronics, Phys310L-Electronics Laboratory, Phys312-Lasers and Optics, Phys312L-Lasers and Optics Laboratory, Phys314-Modern Physics, Phys314L-Modern Physics Laboratory, Phys401-Quantum Mechanics, PHYS419-Senior Seminar in Physics, Phys420-Senior Research in Physics, and Phys497-Special Studies in Physics.

    Recent Publications/Abstracts/Presentations

    R. Seth Smith, “The Importance of Angular Momentum Selection Rules in Atomic Spectroscopy”, Bulletin of the Southeastern Section of the American Physical Society, Volume 50, 26, 2005.

    R. Seth Smith and Michelle Ghere, “Saturated Absorption Spectroscopy”, Bulletin of the South Carolina Academy of Science, Volume LXVII, 78, 2005.

    R. Seth Smith, “A Study of Moments of Inertia for Disks, Rings, and Point Masses”, Bulletin of the Southeastern Section of the American Physical Society, Volume 49, No. 7, 59, 2004.

    R. Seth Smith and Debra R. Gibson, “Reflection Holography Using the Denisyuk Technique”, Bulletin of the South Carolina Academy of Science, Volume LXIV, 94, 2004.

    R. Seth Smith, “Computer-Based Diffraction and Interference Experiments for Introductory Physics”, Bulletin of the Southeastern Section of the American Physical Society, Volume 48, No. 9, 40, 2003.

    R. Seth Smith, “A Study of Photochromism and the Properties of Photochromic Glass”, Bulletin of the South Carolina Academy of Science, Volume LXV, 95, 2003

    R. Seth Smith, “Measuring the Half-Life of Neutron-Activated Indium-116”, Bulletin of the Southeastern Section of the American Physical Society, Volume 47, No. 6, 27, 2002.

    R. Seth Smith, “Measurements of Sound Waves and Interference”, Bulletin of the South Carolina Academy of Science, Volume LXIV, 95, 2002.

    R. Seth Smith and David M. Peterson, “Physics in the Classroom”, 3rd Annual Conference on Using Technology in the Teaching of Mathematics and Science, Francis Marion University, 2001.

    R. Seth Smith, “Flux Trapping in a NbTi Superconductor with Cylindrical Symmetry”, Bulletin of the South Carolina Academy of Science, Volume LXII, 84, 2000.

    R. Seth Smith, Timothy J. Havens, et al., “Unified Passive Shimming for Magnetic Resonance Superconducting Magnets”, patent application #15-MG-5206, 1999.

    R. Seth Smith and Timothy J. Havens, “The Effects of Temperature on the Use of 1006 Carbon Steel in the Design of Superconducting Magnets”, Proceedings of the Sixteenth International Conference on Magnet Technology, 1999.

    Professional Memberships and Honors

    • Pee Dee Electric Cooperative Endowed Chair in Physics, 2003
    • Distinguished Professor of the Year 1999-2000
    • Member, Phi Kappa Phi National Scholastic Honor Society
    • Member, Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society
    • Member, Sigma Pi Sigma National Physics Honor Society
    • Member, American Physical Society Southeastern Section of the American Physical Society
    • Member, South Carolina Academy of Science Co-Advisor, Society of Physics and Engineering Students, Francis Marion University
    Photo of Seth Smith