Trinanjan Datta, assistant professor of physics, was recently awarded the Anacapa Scholar, which is only given to the best of the best. In 2007, Datta came to Augusta State University to teach after being at Purdue University for six years, and during that time he received his Ph.D., in theoretical condensed matter physics. Before attending Purdue, he received his undergraduate degree in physics from St. Xavier’s College and his master’s from the Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur. Datta chose to get his degree in physics because he always had an interest, especially in one particular area.
“Theoretical physics and condensed matter is one of those areas which has applications to real life because it’s related to material science,” Datta said. “To have any of the technologies that we have right now, material science is one of the biggest things and without the correct material, you wouldn’t have your iPods, iPhones, or any of that stuff.”While pursuing his career, Datta said he decided to come to Augusta State because the school was also developing its undergraduate research program. After he was hired, one of his first jobs was to develop that program, and by doing this, he was given the opportunity to not only teach, but also showcase his research skills.
Datta said he usually teaches several core classes such as introductory physics and upper level classes such as thermal physics and theoretical mechanics, as well as special topics courses towards his research area.
Besides teaching, Datta is part of the science department’s public relations team and is in charge of the newsletters. Datta said he also does a large amount of research with faculty nationally and internationally, and with undergraduate students at Augusta State.
“Being in a teaching university, one of the biggest problems that faculties face is not having the time to do research and even if you can’t, it’s typical to be productive,” Datta said. In addition to being named an Anacapa Scholar, he was also named a KITP Scholar. The Kavli Institute of Theoretical Physics (KITP) at the University of California has an award called the KITP Scholar that they hand out to eight physicists across the country who are engaged in research at undergraduate institutions.
Datta was named one of these scholars in 2010 and the Anacapa Scholar went to one out of the eight who stood out the most. Because of his contributions to undergraduate research, Datta managed to stand out among the other seven scholars and was named an Anacapa Scholar. Being able to do undergraduate research and teach at Augusta State has given Datta the opportunity to work with a wide variety of students.
“I like the diversity of the students that we have,” Datta said. “I like the fact that there are students over here that are really engaged in, not only the classes, but in undergraduate research, especially in our department.”
One student who has worked with Datta on his undergraduate research is Philip Javernick, senior physics and math major. He has worked with Datta for three years on theoretical and computational physics.
“Working with Dr. Datta is great because he pushes you hard, expects results and gets results,” said Javernick. “He is really dedicated in everything he does and doing research, and working with him has helped me be more successful in college in general. I don’t believe I would have been successful as I am now if I hadn’t been provided the opportunity to work with him.”Datta is known to have a dedicated work ethic, which his students have learned from. “I definitely put in a lot more work and try to work harder because of the personal research with him,” Javernick said.
Robert Murrah, senior physics major, has worked with Datta for a year in theoretical physics, said he has also found inspiration in working with him. “His work ethic is incredible, I can’t really describe it,” said Murrah. “He does physics all the time and never gets tired of it; he loves it. He’s inspired me to get more into physics and to be more into physics for the love of physics, not just because it’s my major, but because I enjoy it.”As for the future, Datta said he plans to keep on doing what he is doing at the moment. “I don’t have anything specifically planned out,” Datta said. “Just teach, have fun, and have fun with doing research with students.”