PERSONAL DATA
James R. Benbrook
Professor of Physics
Born February 1, 1939
Married, two children
EDUCATION
B. S. in Physics, University of Texas, Austin (1961)
M.S. in Physics, University of Washington, Seattle (1963)
Ph.D. in Physics, University of Washington, Seattle (1969)
PROFESSIONAL AND HONORARY SOCIETIES
American Geophysical Union
American Physical Society
Phi Beta Kappa
Sigma Pi Sigma
Sigma Xi
CHRONOLOGY OF EXPERIENCE
The Boeing Company, Seattle, Washington
1961-1964 Engineering Physicist.
Responsible for analysis of failed electronic components from Minuteman
program. Evaluated space radiation environment for impact on manned and
unmanned space missions.
The University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
1964-1965 Research Assistant
1965-1969 Predoctoral Associate
1969-1970 Research Assistant Professor
Member of Experimental High-Energy Physics Group. Participated in experiments
at Lawrence Radiation Laboratory, Berkeley, California, on K-p
interactions, Sigma+ and Cascade- magnetic moments, and
Cascade- decay parameters. Designed and built scintillation
counters, Cerenkov counters, spark chambers, high-field pulsed magnets (160
kG), and specialized high-speed electronics, both analog and digital.
Established measurement procedure for 400,000 picture spark chamber data set,
trained and supervised measurement personnel. Wrote computer programs to
analyse digitized spark chamber data and to perform Monte Carlo analysis of
experiments as an aid in both design and data analysis.
The University of Houston, Houston, Texas
1970-1973 Assistant Professor
1973-1984 Associate Professor
1984-present Professor
Research Activity:
Member of
Space Physics Group. Participated in experiments to measure cosmic ray muon
intensity and angular distribution, both above ground (Texas A&M Magnetic
Spectrometer Facility) and underground (Mont Blanc, France, Underground Cosmic
Ray Experiment). Conducted sounding rocket experiments (Ft. Churchill,
Manitoba; Kiruna, Sweden; Kerguelen Islands; Siple Station, Antarctica) and
high-altitude balloon experiments (Palestine, Texas; Roberval, Quebec; Siple
Station, Antarctica; South Pole Station, Antarctica) to measure electron
bremsstrahlung associated with auroras, electron bremsstrahlung accompanying
both natural VLF events and transmitter-triggered VLF events, electric fields
at high altitude due to thunderstorms, and the electromagnetic radiation
spectrum of lightning at high altitudes. Participated in high-altitude balloon
experiments (Aire-sur-l'Adour, France; Gap, France; Kiruna, Sweden) to measure
vertical profiles of the concentration of atmospheric ozone and nitrogen oxides
with groups from CNES (French equivalent of NASA), Japan, and New Zealand.
Developed ozone photometers for instrumentation complement on WB57F (NASA
high-altitude research airplane) and participated in multiple flights over Cape
Canaveral and Vandenberg launch facilities to measure ozone destruction in
large solid rocket booster plumes. Responsible for development of analysis
software for all experiments as well as electronics design, fabrication and
calibration for all flight hardware and ground station support equipment,
including digitization hardware for computer interface.
University Service:
Served two terms as Physics Department Chairman (6 yrs). Served as Faculty
Representative to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (7yrs), as chair
of the University of Houston Athletic Advisory Board (5 yrs), and as a member
of the Dean Search Committee for the College of Natural Sciences and
Mathematics. Other University service includes three terms on the Academic
Computer Users Committee, one as chair; two years on the University Research
Committee, one as chair; and three years on the Health Sciences Review Board.
Actively involved in Physics Department affairs with many committee assignments
over the years, including multiple terms on the personnel committee, the
executive committee, the shop committee, and the space allocation committee.