Dr Kendra L Wallis

[Dr Kendra Lee Wallis]

Other Faculty

Last Updated: February 17, 2021

kendra.wallis@uta.edu

about me

Research Interests

It is my goal to contribute to research in materials science and/or physics while enhancing the educational experience of undergraduates, especially undergraduates from underrepresented minority populations, including women, in STEM. My research experiences in graduate school were concentrated on condensed matter physics and nanostructured materials. My fascination with materials grew from doing the research, reading the literature, and attending lectures, seminars, and conferences.

Research Keywords

nanotechnology, nanostructures, materials, sustainable energy

Teaching Interests

In my current role as teaching faculty, I endeavor to introduce undergraduate engineering students to the work of an engineer. I enjoy teaching problem solving skills in physics, chemistry, statics and dynamics. In addition, I look forward to teaching courses in sustainable energy, materials for energy applications, and how nanotechnology is related to every aspect of the energy supply chain.

Biography

Dr. Wallis did her academic work in physics, earning a Bachelor of Science from West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas, in 1985. She earned a Master of Science from UTA in 1993 and earned a PhD in physics from Texas Christian University in 2008. After teaching physics for many years, she attended several conferences on engineering education where she became familiar with the problem solving course at UTA.

In 2017, Dr. Wallis joined the teaching faculty at UTA as a member of the Materials Science and Engineering Department. She teaches ENGR 1250 Engineering Problem Solving and is interested in helping students develop teamwork skills and be the best prospective engineer for employers. She attends research seminars in both materials science and physics and is a Faculty Fellow with the Center for Research on Teaching and Learning Excellence (CRTLE) at UTA. She is also a member of the Women's Faculty & Staff Network.

Education

- 2008 PhD in Physics
  Texas Christian University
- 1993 MS in Physics
  The University of Texas at Arlington
- 1985 BS in Physics
  West Texas A&M University

Memberships

- Jan 2018 to Present American Association for Advancement of Science
  
  The AAAS seeks to "advance science, engineering, and innovation throughout the world for the benefit of all people." To fulfill this mission, the AAAS Board has set the following broad goals:
  Enhance communication among scientists, engineers, and the public; Promote and defend the integrity of science and its use; Strengthen support for the science and technology enterprise; Provide a voice for science on societal issues; Promote the responsible use of science in public policy; Strengthen and diversify the science and technology workforce; Foster education in science and technology for everyone; Increase public engagement with science and technology; and Advance international cooperation in science.
- Sept 2004 to Present American Physical Society
  Member
  
  The American Physical Society strives to: Be the leading voice for physics and an authoritative source of physics information for the advancement of physics and the benefit of humanity; Provide effective programs in support of the physics community and the conduct of physics; Collaborate with national scientific societies for the advancement of science, science education and the science community; Cooperate with international physics societies to promote physics, to support physicists worldwide and to foster international collaboration; Promote an active, engaged and diverse membership, and support the activities of its units and members.

Publications

2016

Journal Article
Bridging the Conceptual Gap Between Free Fall and Drag-Dominated Regimes
[de Obaldia, Elida, Miller, Norma, Wittel, Fred, Jaimison, George, Wallis, Kendra]. 54(4), 232-234. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1119/1.4944365

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