Abstract : To "introduce" myself to the department, I will present my work over the last six and a half years, and plans for the next five, weaving in a theme of removing barriers for students in the introductory algebra-based physics sequence at Oregon State University. My work has included teaching PH20x, an Open Educational Resource (OER) overhaul of the PH20x curriculum, implementation of that curriculum in a remote setting, service to our department, college, and physics community, development of OER polling software, and studies of the mathematical preparation and sensemaking skills of students in the PH20x sequence. These last two studies are the initial avenues of my research plan for the next five years. Ultimately, I wish my research to answer questions about what resources students are bringing to algebra-based physics, how and which of these correlate with success, and how students' physics reasoning evolves through the introductory sequence.

Bio: Evan earned a bachelor's degree in 2008 from Haverford College with a double major in Physics and Astronomy. He then earned a PhD in Physics from the University of Florida in 2015. His thesis, entitled "Resonant Frequencies and Optical Properties of Solids", featured computational description of the response of GaAs to probing with an ultrafast light pulse, as well as spectroscopic investigations of optical properties in various materials including MoS₂, MoSe₂, and a new pyrochlore (Bi₂Ti₂O₇).

After receiving his doctorate, Evan returned to Oregon and began teaching at Linn Benton Community College, Pacific University, and Oregon State University before joining OSU full-time as an instructor in 2019.

At OSU, Evan has worked with teams of faculty, graduate, and undergraduate students to redesign the introductory algebra-based physics sequence. He served on the College of Science EAI Leadership Council, and was an inaugural member of the Physics Department DICE Committee, later serving as chair of the committee.

Outside of OSU physics, Evan has served as secretary and "technology guru" for the Oregon chapter of the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) since 2021 and is excited to take on a new role as the Vice President this year. He also coaches the Oregon State Women's Ultimate team and can often be found climbing up walls at the Valley Rock Gym early on weekday mornings. Evan and his wife, Paige, recently bought their first house in North Albany.