Richard Batman Ph.D.

Education
2004-2005 Postdoctoral Research Associateship, Maurice Morton Institute of Polymer Science, The

University of Akron, Akron, OH.

Research Interests:  Computational studies of the mechanical properties of helical polypeptide bioelastomers.

1997-2004 Ph.D., Physics, August 2004, Kent State University, Kent, OH.

Research Interests:  Computational modeling of polymer blends next to surfaces and experimental investigation of mechanical properties of polymer chains next to surfaces.

Dissertation Title:  Polymer Conformations Next to the Surfaces of Compressible and Incompressible Binary Blends.

Research Advisor:  Professor P. D. Gujrati, University of Akron, Akron, OH.

 

 Teaching Experience

University of Texas at Tyler

2010-Present       Full-time Senior Lecturer in Physics

Courses taught: College Physics I and II (algebra-based, both semesters), University Physics I and II (calculus-based, both semesters)

Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts

2007-2010       Full-time Physics Instructor

Courses taught:  Accelerated Physics I (algebra-based, both semesters), Accelerated Physics III (calculus-based, both semesters), Electronics, Thermodynamics

Central Michigan University, Mt Pleasant, MI

2005-2007       Full-time Temporary Assistant Professor, Early Career Physics and Astronomy Lectureship (ECAP)

Courses taught:  Survey of Physical Science, Intermediate Mechanics, Modern Physics, Table Top Physics, Thermal Physics

 
College of Wooster, Wooster, OH

2002-2003       Full-time One-Year Visiting Instructor of Physics

Courses taught:  General Physics (algebra-based, first semester), Astronomy of Stars and Galaxies, Physics Revolutions

University of Akron, Akron, OH

Summer 2003   Lecturer, Elementary Classical Physics I (calculus-based, first semester)

Fall 2001           Lecturer, Elementary Classical Physics I

1995-2001        Lab instructor,  Elementary Classical Physics (both semesters) Physics for the Life Sciences (algebra-based, both semesters)

 

Research Experience                                                                                           
 

• The Maurice Morton Institute of Polymer Science, University of Akron, Akron, OH
  2004-2005       Monte-Carlo simulation studies of biopolymer networks. 

Research Supervisor:  Assistant Professor Gustavo Carri.

• Physics Department, University of Akron, Akron, OH
  1995-2004       Computational modeling of polymer blends next to surfaces.

Research Advisor:  Professor P. D. Gujrati. 

• Polymer Science Department, University of Akron, Akron, OH
  2001-2002        Atomic force microscopy study of polymer surface mechanics

Research Advisor:  Professor Mark Foster.

 

 
Peer-Reviewed Publications
 

New statistical mechanical treatment of systems near surfaces. V.  Incompressible blend of interacting polydisperse linear polymers.  Richard Batman, Mukesh Chhajer, and P. D. Gujrati, J. Chem. Phys. 115, 4890 (2001).

 

A Monte Carlo simulation study of the mechanical and conformational properties of networks of helical polymers.  I.  General concepts.  Gustavo A. Carri, Richard Batman, Vikas Varshney, and Taner E. Dirama, Polymer 46, 3809 (2005).

 

A Monte Carlo simulation study of the mechanical and conformational properties of networks of helical polymers.  II.  The Effect of Temperature.  Richard Batman and Gustavo A. Carri, Polymer 46, 10128 (2005).

 

Compressible or incompressible blend of interacting monodisperse linear polymers near a surface. Richard Batman and P.D. Gujrati, J. Chem. Phys. 127, 084904 (2007).

 

Compressible or incompressible blend of interacting monodisperse star and linear polymers near a surface.  Richard Batman and P.D. Gujrati, J. Chem. Phys. 128, 124903 (2008).

 

 Oral Presentations
 

“A Recursive Approach to Studying Surface Segregation in Polymer Mixtures,”  Presented to the Math Club at the University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, Texas, 2011

 

“Fractals and the Study of Polymer Blend Surfaces.”  Presented as a colloquium at The Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts, Natchitoches, Louisiana, 2009

 

“Computational Method of Studying Polymer Mixtures Next to Surfaces.”  Presented as a Physics Department Seminar at Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, 2006.

 

“Computational Method of Studying Polymer Mixtures Next to Surfaces.”  Presented as a 2003 Ohio Wesleyan University Science Lecture Series Talk, Delaware, Ohio.

 

“Numerical Investigation of a Compressible Interacting Binary Blend of Fixed-length Star and Linear Polymers Next to a Surface.”  Presented at the 2002 March Meeting of the American Physical

Society, Indianapolis, Indiana.

 

“Numerical Investigation of a Binary Interacting Blend of Fixed Length Polymers Next to a Surface.”  Presented at the 2000 March Meeting of the American Physical Society, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

 

“Numerical Investigation of an Interacting Polymer Blend Next to a Surface.”  Presented at the 1999 March Meeting of the American Physical Society, Atlanta, Georgia.

  

Teaching Conferences, Seminars, and Workshops
 

Fall 2007          Mississippi Association of Physicists Meeting (Mississippi Section of the American

Association of Physics Teachers), Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems, Canton, MS.

 

Summer 2006   “Practical Considerations for Developing Science Process Skills in the Natural Sciences:

Providing a Foundation for Inquiry,” NSF Chautauqua Short Course, University of Texas at Austin.

 

Fall 2005          “How Students Learn: Strategies for Building Effective Learning Environments,” Central

Michigan University.  “Using Blackboard: Rationale and Procedures,” Central Michigan University.

 

Fall 2001          Eighth Annual Conference of the University Teaching Council, Kent State University.

       T4 Luncheon Series (“Terrific Teachers for Today and Tomorrow”), University of Akron.

           

Professional Memberships
 

American Association of Physics Teachers

American Physical Society

   

Professional Service
 

2011                Chair of the College of Arts and Sciences Curriculum Committee at the University of Texas at Tyler.

                        Physics demonstrations for “Science Day,” Dixie Elementary School, Tyler, Texas.

                        Judge, LISD Science and Engineering Fair, Longview High School, Longview, Texas.

 

2007-2009          Demonstrations for visiting gifted/talented elementary students from St. Landry Parish.

                  Judge, Converse High School Science Fair, 2007, 2008, and 2009.

                  Administered American Association of Physics Teachers’ F = ma exam, LSMSA, 2008.

Judge, Louisiana Region IV Science and Engineering Fair, Louisiana State University at Alexandria, 2008 and 2009.

Administered American Association of Physics Teachers’ Physics Bowl Exam, LSMSA, 2008 and 2009.

Co-sponsored Robotics Day outreach workshop (junior high students building and programming robots), LSMSA, 2008 and 2009.

Co-sponsored two Fuel for Thought hydrogen technology workshops (students building model cars that run on solar-powered fuel cells), LSMSA. Sponsored Academic Games Club, LSMSA.

2006-2007         Faculty Advisor to the Society of Physics Students (SPS), Central Michigan University. 

SPS Demonstrations for 6th graders from Ovid-Elsie School, Central Michigan University.

2005-2006       Team-taught the Northern Lights Workshop at the Beaver Island Retreat of the College of Science and Technology, Central Michigan University.

2002-2003      “Second Reader” for two undergraduate dissertations at the College of Wooster. Faculty

Coordinator for Wooster Physics Outreach Program. 

Litchfield and Community Science Night (Carnival-style physics demonstrations at Litchfield Middle School, Akron, OH)

May Fair (Carnival-style physics demonstrations at Barber Elementary School, Akron, OH).

1998-2002       Secretary, Society of Physics Students.

Hands-on Physics Day (University of Akron freshmen and high school seniors actively participating in experimental and computational physics      demonstrations). 

Energy Day (8th graders at Robertson Middle School in Akron actively manipulating physics demonstration apparatus).

1996-2001       Judge, Akron Public Schools’ Science and Technology EXPO.

            

Honors and Awards                                                                                           
 

• Departmental Excellence in Teaching Award, University of Texas at Tyler  2016
• Sigma Pi Sigma, Central Michigan University  2006
• Tuition Waiver, Kent State University  1997-2004
• University of Akron, Akron, Ohio Teaching Assistantship 1995-2002
• Special Householder Award for outstanding service as a lab TA  2002
• Special Householder Award for exemplary performance as a teaching assistant  2000-2001
• Householder Award for the Outstanding Master’s Student (Teaching)  1998