Bio

Ramon E. Lopez received his B.S. in Physics in 1980 from the University of Illinois, and his Ph.D. in Space Physics in 1986 from Rice University. He is currently a Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) where he leads a research group that is working in both space physics and science education. He is also a Co-Director for the UTA UTeach teacher preparation program. His current research focuses solar wind-magnetosphere coupling and the role of visual and spatial cognition in science education. Dr. Lopez is the author or co-author of over 100 peer-reviewed publications, as well as the popular science book “Storms from the Sun.” Dr. Lopez is active in promoting high quality science education and diversity in science at all levels. He has served as a consultant for school districts and state education agencies around the country, including the Texas Education Agency. Most recently he was one of the Co-Chairs of the writing team that produced the Next Generation Science Standards. He has also served on several scientific or education-related committees of the American Geophysical Union, the American Physical Society, the National Academy of Sciences, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and he has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Society of the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS). Dr. Lopez has won numerous awards for his work in both space physics and science education.

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