Carl Wieman Biographical Sketch

Carl E. Wieman is distinguished professor of physics and winner of the 2001 Nobel Prize in physics for studies of the Bose-Einstein Condensate. He has been a member of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) since 1995. He is also a 2001 recipient of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Director’s Award for Distinguished Teaching Scholars as well as an award for distinguished teaching from the Carnegie Foundation. Dr. Wieman's research has involved the use of lasers and atoms to explore fundamental problems in physics. His physics research group at the University of Colorado - Boulder has carried out a variety of precise laser spectroscopy measurements, including the most accurate measurements of parity nonconservation in atoms and the discovery of the anapole moment. He has also worked extensively on using laser light and magnetic fields to cool and trap atoms and investigating the physics of ultracold atoms. Since 2000, Dr. Wieman has worked on the National Task Force for Undergraduate Physics which emphasizes improving undergraduate physics programs as a whole: introductory and advanced courses for all students, preparation of K-12 teachers, undergraduate research opportunities, and the recruitment and mentoring of students for diverse careers. Prior to becoming the chair for BOSE, Dr. Wieman was a member of the study committee addressing the state of high school science laboratories. Presently, Professor Wieman divides his time between the University of British Columbia where he is starting up the Carl E. Wieman Initiative in Science Education and the University of Colorado-Boulder. Presently, the majority of his work is dedicated to reforming science teaching. Dr. Wieman received his Ph.D. from Stanford University.