Ryan Ogliore

Ryan Ogliore

Associate Professor of Physics
PHD, CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
MS, CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
BA, CLAREMONT MCKENNA COLLEGE
research interests:
  • Astrophysics
  • Evolution of the Solar System

contact info:

mailing address:

  • Washington University
    MSC 1105-109-04
    One Brookings Drive
    St. Louis, MO 63130-4899

Ryan Ogliore's research group uses microanalytical techniques to study extraterrestrial materials in order to better understand the formation and evolution of our Solar System, as well as other stars.

The group is analyzing returned samples from NASA’s Stardust mission to comet Wild 2, grains from asteroid Ryugu, lunar samples, Genesis solar wind samples, interplanetary dust particles, and meteorites. In-situ isotopic analyses by secondary ion mass spectrometry of small grains from a comet have temporally constrained the transport of rocky material from the inner to the outer Solar System. The group also employs electron-beam and synchrotron techniques to investigate, e.g., the interaction between an airless body and the space environment.

recent courses

Physics I (Physics 191)

Calculus-based introduction to the concepts, laws, and structure of physics. Topics include kinematics, Newton's laws, energy, linear momentum, angular momentum, the conservation laws, gravitational force, harmonic motion, wave motion and interference, sound, and special relativity.

    Computational Methods (Physics 584)

    This course provides an introduction to the computational techniques that are most widely used in both theoretical and experimental research in physics. Each lecture will use a realistic research problem to introduce the algorithms, software packages and numerical techniques that will be used by the students to develop a solution on the computer. Topics include Monte Carlo techniques, symbolic analysis with Mathematica, data acquisition software used in the laboratory, the numerical solution of quantum mechanical problems, and an introduction to general purpose frameworks based on Python.

      Optics and Wave Physics Laboratory (Physics 316)

      Introduction to optics and to treatment of experimental data. Experiments and lectures on refraction, interference, diffraction, polarization, and coherence properties of waves with emphasis on light. Data analysis using statistical methods.