Augusta, Ga. – A professor of physics at Augusta State University is one of seven theoretical physicists in the United States to be named a Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics (KITP) Scholar at the University of California, Santa Barbara. The prestigious honor was awarded to Trinanjan Datta, assistant professor of physics in ASU’s Department of Chemistry and Physics, making him one of only 89 recipients to ever receive the honor.

Established in 1979, the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics provides an environment for interactive research by both resident and visiting scientists. Each year a small number of faculty members from U. S. colleges and universities that are not major research institutions are selected as KITP Scholars. With the honor comes the opportunity to take part in workshops and conferences and conduct research in theoretical condensed matter physics with many of the nation’s leading scientists at the institute over the next three summers.

“KITP is one of the premium institutes in theoretical physics. As a KITP Scholar, this will keep me updated in the field. Because most of the research I do with students is in condensed matter physics, I will be able to teach them what is most relevant in the field,” says Dr. Datta.

An active researcher, Dr. Datta’s study on multiferroics, conducted at ASU, led to the publication of A theory for the multiferroic compound LiCu2O2 in the journal, Physical Review. That research is technologically important and may have applications in computer data storage devices. His other research is in providing a theoretical explanation of the fundamental physics of frustrated magnetic materials. His teaching areas are in the physical and thermal physics as well as introductory physics.

Dr. Datta joined the ASU faculty in 2007. He received a bachelor’s degree in physics from St. Xavier’s College, University of Calcutta, India, a master’s degree from the Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur, and a doctoral degree in physics from Purdue University.

For more information, call Tunisia Williams, assistant director in the Office of Public Relations and Publications, at 706-737-1877. ###

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