Thomas F. Rosenbaum

Thomas F. Rosenbaum
Name	Thomas F. Rosenbaum
Birth date	04 September 1955
Birth place	New Haven, Connecticut
Nationality	American
Fields	Physics, Condensed matter physics
Workplaces	California Institute of Technology, University of Chicago, Bell Labs
Alma mater	Harvard University, Princeton University
Doctoral advisor	John M. Rowell
Known for	Quantum phase transitions, strongly correlated materials
Awards	E. O. Lawrence Award (1996), Guggenheim Fellowship (2000)

Thomas F. Rosenbaum is an American physicist and academic administrator, serving as the ninth president of the California Institute of Technology since 2014. A prominent experimentalist in condensed matter physics, his research has focused on understanding the fundamental properties of quantum materials and quantum phase transitions. Prior to his presidency, he held distinguished positions at the University of Chicago and conducted pioneering research at Bell Labs.

Early life and education

Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Rosenbaum developed an early interest in the sciences. He pursued his undergraduate education at Harvard University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in physics in 1977. He then moved to Princeton University for his doctoral studies, completing his Ph.D. in physics in 1982 under the supervision of John M. Rowell. His doctoral research involved investigations into the properties of superconductivity and tunneling spectroscopy.

Academic career

Following his doctorate, Rosenbaum joined the prestigious Bell Labs as a postdoctoral researcher, immersing himself in the institution's renowned culture of fundamental scientific discovery. In 1983, he began his faculty career at the University of Chicago, rising through the ranks from assistant professor to the James Franck Professor of Physics. He held several key administrative roles at Chicago, including Vice President for Research and for Argonne National Laboratory, and served as the Provost of the university from 2007 to 2014. His tenure as provost involved overseeing the university's academic programs and its affiliated laboratories, including Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.

Presidency of the California Institute of Technology

Rosenbaum was appointed president of the California Institute of Technology in 2014, succeeding Jean-Lou Chameau. As president, he has overseen the institution's academic and research mission, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration and the expansion of facilities such as the Kavli Nanoscience Institute. His leadership has focused on strengthening partnerships with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, advancing initiatives in resilience engineering and climate science, and fostering diversity within the STEM fields. He also serves on the board of trustees for the Carnegie Institution for Science.

Research and scientific contributions

Rosenbaum's experimental research is centered on the physics of correlated electron systems and low-temperature physics. He is internationally recognized for his innovative use of extreme conditions, such as high magnetic fields and ultra-low temperatures, to probe quantum phase transitions in materials like heavy fermion compounds and geometrically frustrated magnets. His work has provided critical insights into the competition between magnetism and superconductivity, and the emergence of exotic states of matter. His research has been published in leading journals including Physical Review Letters and Science.

Awards and honors

In recognition of his scientific contributions, Rosenbaum has received numerous accolades. He was awarded the E. O. Lawrence Award from the United States Department of Energy in 1996. He received a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2000 and was elected a fellow of the American Physical Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He is also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences.

Personal life

Rosenbaum is married to Katherine T. Faber, a noted materials scientist and professor at the California Institute of Technology. The couple has two children. He maintains active interests in music and the history of science.

Category:American physicists Category:California Institute of Technology faculty Category:University of Chicago faculty Category:Presidents of the California Institute of Technology Category:1955 births Category:Living people