Biography

Richard Superfine
Associate Professor
Ph. D., University of California, 1991

University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
Department: Physics-Astronomy
Address: 168 Phillips Hall
Email: rsuper@physics.unc.edu
Phone: 919-962-1185

Research Statement:

Professor Superfine's research interests include the study of nanotubes, molecules, macromolecular assemblies, and polymers at surfaces. These studies are often geared toward understanding atomic scale phenomena in physical systems and the implications for nanoscale devices. Biophysical systems are the most exquisite nanoscale engineering systems that we know. Studies in his group include the properties of viruses, the viscoelasticity of biofluids, integration of molecular motors and electronics, and the dynamics of cilia. To study these systems, his group, including a collaboration with the Computer Science Department, develops new instrumentation and microscopies, including interfaces for human control at the nanoscale. He is co-founder of nanoManipulator, Inc., which won an R&D 100 award for the commercialization of the first of these instrumentation systems.

Education:

1978-82	B.S. Physics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem PA
1985-91	M. S., Ph.D. Physics, University of California, Berkeley CA

Positions:

2002-	Director, NIH Center for Computer Int. Systems for Microscopy and Manipulation
1999-	Associate Professor of Physics, UNC-Chapel Hill
1992-99	Assistant Professor of Physics, UNC-Chapel Hill
1991-92	Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory Postdoctoral Fellow
1982-85	Senior Technical Associate, AT&T Bell Laboratories

Selected Honors:

R&D 100 Award for nanoManipulator System 2001
White House/Smithsonian Millenium Celebration Panelist 2000
Johnson Teaching Award For Excellence in Undergraduate Education (UNC) 2000
Hettleman Prize For Research Excellence (UNC) 1998
Macres Award from the Microbeam Analysis Society-1995
Junior Faculty Development Award -University of North Carolina, 1992 Plenary Speaker - STM'97 International Conference (Hamburg)