2024 FELLOWS

Eric Shirley

Eric Shirley received a PhD from the University of Illinois in 1991. He has been fortunate to work at NIST, a highly supportive research organization, even receiving a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), and being a recipient of Sigma Xi awards and the Department of Commerce Bronze (thrice), Silver and Gold Medals, because of work in materials, because of work in physical optics, and because of administrative duties.

Research-wise, he began as a theoretical solid-state physicist, with experience in atomic-structure calculations, band-structure calculations, and many-body theory. He has been involved in calculations of the optical spectra of solids throughout the electromagnetic spectrum, from the far-infrared to the hard x-ray region, with recent work emphasizing focusing on Debye-Waller effects and stopping powers for charged particles.

More broadly, his primary research interests lie in computational physics in general. This relies heavily on the use of extensive computational resources, as well as mathematical physics, which is limited only by the abilities of the practitioner. Beyond studying the main moving parts of solids, i.e., electrons, having a background in mathematical physics (of the applied, down-to-earth sort) has helped collaborations study the wave propagation of photons in photonic crystals and practical optical systems such as collimators, radiometers, and telescopes. These research endeavors have helped communities ranging from semiconductor manufacturers, makers of environmental satellites, and astronomers. He has also studied generation of synchrotron radiation in support of the use of such light as a standard optical source in radiometry.

He is also committed to seeing the physical sciences used to good effective for the benefit of society. An important aspect of this is advocating for sound measurement science, including in the important area of uncertainty analysis, and the International System of Units (SI). As a member of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) Commission C2, he would seek to be a voice of reason and balance in all discussions related to these topics and any other topics. Furthermore, we are more sensitive than before to bias in the scientific community. He would try to improve this situation, including advocating for greater diversity in membership on various committees, such as through his activities on the Joint Committee for Guides in Metrology.

As a Member of Commission C2, he has represented IUPAP to both the Joint Committee for Guides in Metrology, Working Group 1 and the Consultative Committee for Units, both of which convene regularly online and at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM).

He is also well accustomed to others committee types of duties and appointments, having been an Officer (including President) of the NIST Chapter of Sigma Xi (largely committed to recognizing achievements of exemplary staff and promoting young scientists), serving as a Member and Secretary of the International Science Committee of the Vacuum Ultraviolet and X-ray Physics Conference Series (VUVX), and currently being a Council Member and Membership Secretary of the International Radiation Physics Society (IRPS).

2024 FELLOWS

Eric Shirley

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