About Harvey Mudd College

Joshua Brake is an Assistant Professor of Engineering at Harvey Mudd College, specializing in embedded systems, optics, and electrical engineering. He earned his Ph.D. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Caltech, following his M.S. and B.S. in Engineering from LeTourneau University. Brake's research focuses on developing new tools and techniques in biomedical optics to enhance tissue imaging. At Harvey Mudd, he teaches across the engineering curriculum, with a particular emphasis on digital electronics, embedded systems, and optics. Brake is passionate about helping students develop their technical skills alongside their communication abilities. His work in biophotonics aims to improve optical imaging of biological tissues, with potential applications in biomedical diagnostics and therapies. Outside of academia, Brake enjoys running, spending time with his family, and following sports. His journey from student to professor, including his experience as a Supplemental Instruction leader at LeTourneau, has shaped his teaching philosophy, emphasizing student-centered learning and practical application of engineering principles.

David Harris is the Harvey S. Mudd Professor of Engineering Design and Associate Engineering Department Chair at Harvey Mudd College. With a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University and S.B. degrees from MIT, Harris brings extensive industry experience to his academic role, having worked as a processor designer at Intel, Broadcom, Hewlett-Packard, and other leading tech companies. He is widely recognized for his expertise in microprocessors and integrated circuits. Harris has authored four influential engineering textbooks, including the widely-used "Digital Design and Computer Architecture." At Harvey Mudd, he teaches courses related to digital systems and computer architecture, including the popular E85 course on Digital Design and Computer Architecture, which he recently adapted into a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) offered through EdX. Harris also leads innovative projects like the HMC Aero Lab, where students build experimental aircraft, demonstrating his commitment to hands-on, practical engineering education. His research interests span CMOS VLSI design, computer arithmetic, and experimental aviation, reflecting his diverse contributions to the field of engineering.

Colleen Lewis is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, having previously served as the McGregor-Girand Associate Professor at Harvey Mudd College. Her expertise spans diversity in computer science, pre-college and middle-school computer science education, and effective teaching practices for creating equitable learning environments. Lewis earned her Ph.D. in Science and Mathematics Education, M.S. in Computer Science, and B.S. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from UC Berkeley. Her research focuses on identifying barriers to CS learning and optimizing CS education for all students. Lewis is best known for curating CSTeachingTips.org, an NSF-sponsored project that disseminates effective computer science teaching practices. Her contributions to broadening participation in computing have been recognized with awards including the NSF CAREER Award, NCWIT Undergraduate Mentoring Award, and AnitaB.org Emerging Leader Award. Lewis's work continues to shape computer science education, emphasizing equity and accessibility in the field.

Zachary Dodds is a Professor of Computer Science at Harvey Mudd College, holding the Leonhard-Johnson-Rae Chair of Computer Science. His expertise spans computer science education, curriculum design, robotics, and computer vision. Dodds is particularly known for his work in making computer science accessible and engaging to a diverse audience. He co-created CS5, an innovative introductory CS course that has significantly increased the percentage of women CS majors at Harvey Mudd. Dodds' research focuses on robotic hand/eye coordination and computer vision-based robotics, aiming to improve human-robot interaction and autonomous navigation. He has also developed the Middle-years Computer Science curriculum, extending CS education to middle and high schools across the southwestern United States. As the Computer Science Clinic Relations Director, Dodds bridges academic research with practical applications. His commitment to CS outreach and education has made him a key figure in transforming computer science pedagogy and increasing diversity in the field.

Peter Saeta is a Professor of Physics at Harvey Mudd College, renowned for his research in semiconductor physics, optics, ultrafast phenomena, and photovoltaics. With a B.S. from Stanford University and a Ph.D. from Harvard University, Saeta brings extensive expertise to his academic role. His research focuses on enhancing absorption in thin-film solar cells using plasmonics, investigating semiconductor behavior under intense laser pulses, and exploring applications of ultrafast optics. Saeta's notable works include studies on guided modes in thin solar cells, harmonic generation in films and multilayers, and femtosecond spectrotemporal magneto-optics. Prior to joining Harvey Mudd, he held research fellowships at AT&T Bell Labs and the National Research Council, contributing to fields such as terahertz spectroscopy and silicon luminescence. Saeta's diverse research interests also encompass nonlinear optics, ultrafast science, and the optical properties of nanostructures. His work has significant implications for advancing solar cell technology and understanding fundamental optical phenomena in materials. As an educator, Saeta teaches a broad range of physics courses, combining theoretical knowledge with practical laboratory experience.

Elizabeth Connolly is a Visiting Professor of Physics at Harvey Mudd College, bringing expertise in cavity quantum electrodynamics and soft matter physics. Her research spans the investigation of strong coupling between single atoms and monolithic microresonators in quantum optics, and the study of impurity dynamics in two-dimensional colloidal crystals in soft matter physics. Prior to joining Harvey Mudd, Connolly was a member of the prestigious Quantum Optics group at Caltech, where she honed her skills in experimental quantum optics. Her diverse background, bridging fundamental quantum phenomena and macroscopic soft matter systems, enriches Harvey Mudd's physics curriculum. Connolly likely teaches courses in quantum mechanics, optics, and soft matter physics, offering students insights into cutting-edge research areas. Her work contributes to our understanding of light-matter interactions and complex fluid behaviors, with potential applications in quantum information processing and materials science.