Department of Physics and Astronomy

Paul Miceli’s goal as an educator is two-fold: to relate physics to humanity and to tease the intellect of students from two audiences, both physics and non-physics majors. Students believe he not only achieves this goal, but he also attains it in a “refreshing” manner. He “demystifies the physical world” for non-majors and assists physics majors in becoming independent researchers who “are able to scientifically ‘stand on their own feet.’”

At MU, Miceli involves undergraduates, graduates and doctoral candidates in physics research, most notably in projects that require X-ray and neutron scattering techniques he teaches in class. In the community, he dedicates time to educating elementary and high school students through physics seminars and demonstrations. Miceli’s passion for physics was described by many students as “genuine,” and his colleagues believe he fosters a “can-do” attitude in students by keeping lectures “energetic.”

Miceli earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering physics, a master’s of science in physics and a doctorate in physics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1982, 1983 and 1987, respectively. He serves on several panels and committees, including the Instrument Advisory Committee at the Spallation Neutron Source and the Midwest Universities Collaborative Access Team at the Advanced Photon Source.