Gregory DiLisi

Biography

Gregory A. DiLisi earned his Bachelor of Science degree, with distinction, from Cornell University in Applied and Engineering Physics. He then earned his Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Case Western Reserve University in Condensed Matter Experimental Physics. Since then, he has taught a wide range of physics courses at the high school, undergraduate, and graduate levels. He is currently a Professor at John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio, where he has held appointments in two departments―physics and education.

As a faculty member, he developed over seventeen courses on topics including: computational physics, experimental physics, introductory physics, instructional technology, interdisciplinary science, science and society, and science methods. As an experimental physicist, he specializes in liquid crystals and complex fluids with publications appearing in peer-reviewed journals such as: Journal de Physique II, Liquid Crystals, Microgravity Science and Technology, and Physical Review A. His research focuses on the viscoelastic properties and surface interactions of oligomeric liquid crystals as well as the stability of liquid bridges as they shift from micro- to hyper-gravity environments. In this area, he authored a book, An Introduction to Liquid Crystals, which explored the various building blocks of liquid crystalline systems as well as the experimental techniques used to probe them.

In the area of science education, his research focuses on two areas: first, developing problem-solving strategies and team-building skills in undergraduate engineering and science students, and second, using case studies as a pedagogical approach to teaching STEM courses. In these areas, he has publications appearing in peer-reviewed journals such as: The Journal of College Science Teaching, The Journal of STEM Education: Innovation and Research, and The Physics Teacher. He authored a five-volume series on Classical Mechanics and his most recent book, titled Case Studies in Forensic Physics, examines nine case studies which illustrate how scientists no longer adopt a strictly passive approach to analyzing historical events―instead, they bring sophisticated analytical tools to scrutinize why certain events happened.

Dr. DiLisi has been the principal investigator of externally sponsored research through several grants from agencies such as: The American Association of Physics Teachers, The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and The National Science Foundation. He was chosen to be the Ohio Educator Fellow for both of NASA’s Stardust and Cassini space probes and serves as a consultant to numerous educational outreach initiatives. He has authored over thirty peer-reviewed journal articles, seven books, and is an international speaker, having presented at numerous scientific and educational conferences of various professional societies.

Teaching Interests

• Interdisciplinary Science
• Physics
• Science Methods

Research Interest

• Using case studies as a pedagogical approach to teaching STEM courses
• Developing problem-solving strategies and team-building skills in undergraduate engineering and science students
• Examining the stability of liquid bridges as they shift from micro- to hyper-gravity environments

Awards and Recognition

• The Physics Teacher, Editorial Board, 2007-2010 & 2022-2025
• Department of Education, John Carroll University, chair, 2021-2023
• The Ohio Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers, president, 2009-2010
• Cassini Educator Fellow, State of Ohio, The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 1999
• Stardust Educator Fellow, State of Ohio, The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 1998
• Case Western Reserve University, Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Award in Mathematics and Natural Sciences, 1992-1993

Grants and Research Funding

Sponsored Research:

• Agency: NASA's Reduced Gravity Student Flight Program
  • Title: “The Stability of Liquid Bridges under Varying Total Body Force - Redux”
  • Role: Principal Investigator

• Agency: The American Association of Physics Teachers and NASA's Reduced Gravity Student Flight Program
  • Title: “The Stability of Liquid Bridges under Varying Total Body Force”
  • Role: Principal Investigator

• Agency: The National Science Foundation 
  • Title: “Project WISE: Women in Informal Science Education”
  • Role: Principal Investigator

• Agency: The National Science Foundation
  • Title: “Adapting and Implementing Hierarchical Learning Ensembles: A New Pedagogy for Team-Building and Group Decision Making in Undergraduate Engineering and Science Education”
  • Role: Principal Investigator

• Agency: The Jet Propulsion Laboratory
  • Title: “CASSINI Educator Fellowship”
  • Role: Educator Fellow, State of Ohio

• Agency: The Jet Propulsion Laboratory
  • Title: “STARDUST Educator Fellowship
  • ”Role: Educator Fellow, State of Ohio

Fellowships for Students:

• Agency: Ohio Department of Education
  • Title: “Ohio Teacher Shortage Grant
  • ”Role: Co-Principal Investigator