FIYou: Dr. Pete Markowitz

Name: Dr. Pete Markowitz

Hometown: Davie, Fla.

Job Title/Department: Professor of Physics

Campus: Modesto A. Maidique Campus

In a nutshell: I’m a physicist with expertise on electromagnetic production of quarks (especially strange quarks), exotic forms of matter and physics at the limits of the standard model. I was drawn to this field by the challenges and the opportunities. We literally try to explain what the universe is and how it works. At FIU, I currently teach intermediate electromagnetism in the Physics Department, a class called Reacting to the Past in the Honors College and I mentor a number of graduate students. As a researcher, I’m involved with one of the largest scientific experiments in the world at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research in Switzerland. The experiment involves 1,940 scientists and engineers from 38 counties, including a number of FIU undergraduate and graduate students. We’re exploring otherworldly questions that are as incredible as they sound: What makes up the universe? Are there other dimensions to space and time? What is dark matter?

Number of years at FIU: 15

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Working with students.

What do you think students and your fellow faculty/staff should know about your department?

How active the entire department is: we have almost two dozen faculty – and twice that many students! – exploring everything from the stars to atomic nuclei.

Where is your favorite spot on campus? Why?

VH 165. I always find students working there – solving homework, getting help with class assignments, socializing or working on their research.

What is one thing you wish everyone knew about FIU?

I wish the world knew more about the quality of students graduating from our programs, whether department-specific (like our physics graduates) or university-wide (like The Honors College).

How are you “Worlds Ahead”?

The science we are doing provides students opportunities to explore our universe, looking for the source of gravity, the nature of space and time, exotic new phenomena (extra dimensions, black holes, supersymmetry, string theory). Or more succinctly, discovery.

Family snapshot:

My wife Judy is a veterinarian. We have two beautiful daughters: Jenny, 13, and Jordan, 3.

Word that best describes you: Learner.

First paying job: Snack vendor at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Favorite TV show: The Big Bang Theory. My favorite parts are what the show gets totally wrong about physicists!

What is playing on your iPod?

The Zac Brown Band.

Your proudest accomplishment:

My two daughters – but I can only claim a small part of the credit.

What do you do when you are not working at FIU?

I like running and lifting weights. I love playing with my girls. I like travelling. And I love learning from my students.