Daniel Suson, Ph.D.

Professor of Physics

Introduction

Daniel Suson teaches introductory and upper-division physics classes in the Department of Chemistry and Physics as well as some classes for the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. He is also the co-director of the STEM on the Road program.

Research Overview

Working with students as well as internal and external collaborators is a key piece of Dr. Suson’s research. His research tends to be computational or theoretical in nature, and can be broken into two areas: astrophysics and cosmology, and physics pedagogy. He has ongoing projects in the following areas: variable speed of light theories, application of quantum entanglement to black holes, application of angular distribution techniques to cosmological models, and using LEGO robotics to conduct introductory physics experiments remotely.

I have been interested in space since I was a young boy. As I got older I realized that the only way I could travel to the stars would be to invent a way myself. This led me into physics with a focus on gravity and high energy astrophysics.

Select Publications

The DECam Local Volume Exploration Survey Data Release 2, by Drlica-Wagner, A. et al., including D.J. Suson. Astrophysical Journal Supplement, Vol. 261, article 38 (2022).

Search for New Cosmic-ray Acceleration Sites within the 4FGL Catalog Galactic Plane Sources, by Abdollahi, S., et al., including D.J. Suson. Astrophysical Journal, Vol 935, Article 44 (2022).

Incremental Fermi Large Area Telescope Fourth Source Catalog, by Abdollahi, S., et al., including D.J. Suson. Astrophysical Journal Supplement, Vol. 260, Article 53 (2022).

A Gamma-ray Pulsar Timing Array Constrains the Nanohertz Graviational Wave Background, by Ajello, M, et al., including D.J. Suson. Science, Vol. 376, p. 521 (2022).

Gamma rays from Fast Black-hole Winds, by Ajello, M., et al., including D.J. Suson. Astrophysical Journal, Vol. 921, Article 144 (2021).

Teaching Focus

Daniel Suson teaches introductory physics to non-majors (both lecture and lab components) and a number of courses for physics majors: quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, relativity theory and mathematical methods.

Previous Roles

• Associate Dean, College of Engineering and Sciences, 2016-2020
• Interim Department Head of Chemistry and Physics, 2011-2016
• Dean of School of Engineering, Mathematics and Sciences, 2007-2010
• Department Chair of Physics at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, 1998-2007