Rate My Professor José Perillán

José G. Perillán is Associate Professor of Physics and Science, Technology, and Society at Vassar College, with a joint appointment in the Physics and Astronomy Department and the Science, Technology, & Society (STS) Program. He has been at Vassar since 2013. Perillán earned his BS, MA, and PhD from the University of Rochester, obtaining a joint doctorate in Physics and History in 2011. In his teaching, he has offered the introductory Physics 113-114 series, the cross-listed Physics-STS 105 course on 20th Century Revolutions in Physics, STS 200 on Conceptualizing STS: Theories and Practice, STS 280 on Albert Einstein, and STS 340 on Great Scientific Controversies in Context. He plans to teach Physics 200 (Modern Physics), Physics 245 (Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics), and Physics 320 (Quantum Mechanics I).

Perillán currently serves as the Pauline Newman Director of the Science, Technology, and Society Program. He was Faculty Co-Director for Vassar's Grand Challenges initiative during Round 1 focused on Climate Change (2018–2021) and Round 2 on Inclusive Excellence (2021–2024), and participated in the founding core team. In 2021, he published his book Science Between Myth and History: The Quest for Common Ground and Its Importance for Scientific Practice with Oxford University Press. He has given public lectures including '100 Years of Quantum Uncertainty' at Vassar in 2025 and contributed to events such as the celebration of 50 years of STS at Vassar and the inaugural Community Breakfast. Perillán has also served on committees, including the Dean of Faculty search process. His work bridges physics and the historical, philosophical, and societal dimensions of science.