Photo by Marc Campos
Faculty
Physics
Dustin 鈥淒usty鈥 Madison is an astrophysicist working on new and creative ways to study the gravitational Universe. He studies gravitational waves鈥攖iny ripples in the fabric of space that can teach people about some of the most extreme systems in the universe, like black holes orbiting each other.
Madison鈥檚 efforts have mostly been as a member of NANOGrav, a pulsar timing array using world-class radio telescopes to monitor the precise clock-like behavior of pulsars as they float about in a churning sea of gravitational waves. He has a master鈥檚 and Ph.D. in physics from Cornell University and did his undergraduate studies at UC Berkeley.
What attracted you to Occidental?
I suspected that the students here would be smart and motivated with a wide range of interests and passions. I鈥檝e only been here a semester, but I think I was correct in thinking this. I鈥檝e been very impressed by the students. I was also drawn to Los Angeles. I like all the opportunities that a big city offers and I have been especially pleased with SA国际传媒鈥檚 location here in the Eagle Rock/Highland Park area.
How did you take an interest in physics, and in your specialty in particular?
I鈥檝e been fascinated by outer space for as long as I can remember. More precisely, I鈥檝e always been a little terrified of space. It is just so big and empty and I鈥檝e always struggled to wrap my head around it. So I had a love for space before I even knew what physics was. When I finally took a physics class in high school, things just really clicked for me. I like the precise quantitative reasoning involved in physics. I like how physics research requires a lot of creativity, but not just any creative idea will do; things eventually have to hold up to experimental or observational tests.
Can you talk about a favorite class you have taught (or are currently teaching) and what students can expect to take away from it?
I don鈥檛 really have a favorite class to teach. There鈥檚 so much fascinating content to be covered in any physics class that I can find things I am passionate about and that I want to make the students passionate about. I will just advertise PHYS 102: Astronomy. I was very happy to teach it in my first semester here. Students from all backgrounds and all majors are welcome. We cover tons of cool stuff about astronomy. It鈥檚 an excellent class for anyone interested in dipping their toes into the physics pond.
Outside of work, what do you enjoy doing in Los Angeles?
I like going to breweries around town, that there鈥檚 forever going to be a new taco shop to try out, and I鈥檓 looking forward to getting out for some runs on trails in the San Gabriels.