Theja DeSilva
Associate Professor
Academic Appointment(s)
College of Science and Mathematics
Department of Physics and Biophysics
Education
Awards & Honors
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KITP Scholar Award-2019
Kavli Institute of Theoretical Physics- UC Santa Barbara, 2019
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Recognition Award: AU Value of Compassion
First & Second Year Experience: Students nomination, 2018
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Recognition Award: AU Value of Compassion
First & Second Year Experience: Students nomination , 2018
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KITP Scholar Award-2018
Kavli Institute of Theoretical Physics- UC Santa Barbara, 2018
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ITAMP Visiting Scientist Award: 2017
Institute for Theoretical Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics, Harvard University, 2017
Courses Taught Most Recent Academic Year
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PHYS 2990
Intro to Research
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PHYS 2212
Principles of Physics II
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PHYS 2950
Selected Topics
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PHYS 4310
Thermal Physics
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PHYS 4990
Undergrad Research
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PHYS 1112L
Intro to Physics II Lab
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PHYS 4950
Selected Topics: Intro to Quantum Computing
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PHYS 3990
Undergraduate Research
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PHYS 1111L
Intro to Physics I Lab
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PHYS 1111
Introductory Physics I
Teaching Interests
I have strong commitment to my teaching. As much as possible, I go beyond conventional teaching by employing interactive engagement strategies in all my classes. I use corporative learning methods and integrated technology.
My approach to teaching is based on the Socratic Method. Through this technique I create a sense of wonder in a student’s mind by making him or her realize what they already know. Although lecturing plays an important role in teaching physics, one cannot produce this sense of wonder by lecturing. Instead one must set up a dialogue where the student is actively engaged. Instead of answering a student’s question, sometimes I pose a counter-question, which helps them to find the answer to the question all by themselves. This empowers the students leading them to say— “Wow! I knew that!” Students eventually learn how to go through this process on their own and become self-directed learners.
Scholarship
Selected Recent Publications
- Asymptotic behavior of correlation functions of one-dimensional polar-molecules on optical lattices, 2020
Journal Article, Professional Journal
- Molecular Self-Organization of Three-Component Lipid Membranes, 2020
Journal Article, Academic Journal
- Theoretical Phase diagram of unconventional alkali-doped fullerides, 2019
Journal Article, Professional Journal
- Bio-Energy Transport as a Phonon Dressed Vibrational Exciton in Protein Molecule, 2019
Journal Article, Professional Journal
- A statistical mechanics perspective for protein folding from q-state Potts model, 2018
Journal Article, Public or Trade Journal
Research Interests
I am a theorist and seeking to gain an understanding of the physics on the scale of single atoms/electrons, where classical mechanics fails. Collection of strongly interacting particles, such as electrons in solids and atoms trapped in a vacuum show various emergent and collective phenomena by losing their individual identities. Sometimes, particle systems form bizarre quantum states by breaking up the original particles into new particles. I want to understand how these complex phenomena emerge from simple ingredients. In broad sense, I am a condensed matter theorist who is working on many-body quantum systems.
Department Service
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Faculty Development Committee
2020 - Present
Role: Committee Member
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student recruitment, retention, and advising.
2014 - 2019
Role: Student Placement
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Volunteer for Major Fest, Sophomore Declaration Day, Freshman Convocation
2014 - 2019
Role: Attendee, Meeting
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Physics Meet and Greet
2018 - 2018
Role: Committee Member
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Faculty Development Committee:
2017 - 2018
Role: Committee Member
College Service
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Instructional Technology Advisory Committee
2015 - 2019
Role: Committee Member
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Ad Hoc Curriculum Committee - MS Biomolecular Science
2016 - 2016
Role: Committee Member
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Search Committee Member: dean COSM
2014 - 2014
Role: Committee Member
University Service
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Department Champion: College of Science and Mathematics, IGRU Campaign
2015 - Present
Role: Committee Member
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Graduate Council Representative: COSM
2014 - Present
Role: Committee Member
Professional Service
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Department of Science-Basic Science
2018 - 2019
Role: Reviewer, Grant Proposal
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Georgia Journal of Science
2018 - 2019
Role: Reviewer, Journal Article
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National Science Foundation
2017 - 2019
Role: Reviewer, Grant Proposal
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Ceylon Journal of Science and Sri Lankan Journal of Science
2016 - 2019
Role: Reviewer, Journal Article
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Advances in Mathematical Physics
2014 - 2019
Role: Reviewer, Journal Article
