Planetary lightning, cosmic rays, space weather and the human exploration of space are some of the showiest aspects of Florida Tech’s space sciences curriculum.
They are in the capable hands of the faculty of the Geospace Physics Laboratory (GPL) group. These department of physics and space sciences faculty members concentrate their research on space phenomena within the solar system. Also well-known for stunning grant-garnering success, the six brought in 61 percent of their department’s external funding, or $6.8 million last year.

Pictured above, faculty Ming Zhang, Niescja Turner, Hamid Rassoul (founder, former director 1991–2006), former astronaut Sam Durrance, Ramon Lopez and Joseph Dwyer (current director) lead the programs for students who want to pursue space-related careers.

It’s a given that students experience hands-on, resume-enriching research. Students design space missions or space instrumentation and analyze observations from current NASA spacecraft, such as ACE (Advanced Composition Explorer), Wind and Ulysses. They measure solar energetic particles and the impact of solar eruptions on the geospace environment and observe X-rays from lightning discharges.

In the GPL, the flash, dazzle and zap! is sometimes in the laboratories. It’s always in the faculty.

And through the Golden Anniversary Campaign, Florida Tech can ensure our dynamic faculty remain and grow with the university. Campaign contributions will support endowed chairs—recognizing that stellar faculty is key in attracting excellent students and building a world-class university.