Complete CV Google Scholar Page
Francis Starr’s research focuses on computational approaches to understand the emergent complexity of soft and biological matter. His PhD work at Boston University focused on the unusual dynamics and thermodynamics of liquid water. At NIST, he developed modeling approaches to describe polymer-nanoparticle composites. In 2003, Francis accepted a faculty appointment at Wesleyan University. At Wesleyan, the group has explored DNA modeling and nanotechnology, lipid membrane dynamics, and polymer films and composites. In his lab, undergraduates and graduates work side-by-side, emphasizing connections to experimental results.
Professional History
| Wesleyan University | Foss Professor of Physics | Physics Department | 2021-present |
| Wesleyan University | Chair of Physics | Physics Department | 2022-present |
| Wesleyan University | Professor | Physics Department | 2013-present |
| Wesleyan University | Director | Integrated Design, Engineering, and Applied Science Program (IDEAS) | 2018-present |
| Wesleyan University | Director | College of Integrative Sciences | 2014-2018 |
| Wesleyan University | Professor | Molecular Biology & Biochemistry Department | 2014-present |
| Wesleyan University | Associate Professor | Physics Department | 2009-2013 |
| Wesleyan University | Assistant Professor | Physics Department | 2003-2009 |
| N.I.S.T. | Deputy Director | Center for Theoretical and Computational Materials Science | 2001-2003 |
| N.I.S.T. | Physicist | Polymers Division | 1999-2003 |
Education
| Ph.D. | Boston University | Physics | 1999 |
| M.A. | Boston University | Physics | 1999 |
| B.S. University Honors |
Carnegie Mellon University | Physics | 1993 |
Honors and Activities
| Elected as a Member of the Connecticut Academy of Science & Engineering | 2022 |
| Elected as a Fellow of the American Physical Society (APS) | 2017 |
| National Academies Education Fellow in the Sciences | 2015-2016 |
| Member-at-Large, APS Topical Group on Statistical and Nonlinear Physics | 2012-2015 |
| Guest Editor, PNAS | 2013-2014 |
| Wesleyan University, M.A. ad eundem gradum (Honorary) | 2013-2014 |
| Visiting Faculty, Università di Roma “La Sapienza”, Dipartimento di Fisica, Roma, Italy. | 2010, 2014 |
| Visiting Professor, Universitat de Barcelona, Departament de Fisica Fonamental, Master on Computational and Applied Physics program, Barcelona, Spain. | 2009 |
| Member of the editorial board, Journal of Computational and Theoretical Nanoscience | 2003-2006 |
| National Research Council Postdoctoral Associateship | 1999-2001 |
| National Sceince Foundation GRT Fellowship | 1996-1999 |