Rate My Professor Laura Clarke

Laura Clarke is the Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor of Physics in the Department of Physics at North Carolina State University. She earned her PhD in physics from the University of Oregon in December 1998, followed by a brief postdoctoral position at Dartmouth College and a research assistant appointment at the University of Colorado from 1999 to 2003. Clarke joined the North Carolina State University physics department as an assistant professor in August 2003. Her research centers on sensitive electrical and optical measurements of nanostructured materials, particularly low-energy molecular motion within self-assembled monolayers and polymers, including two-dimensional phase transitions within monolayer films. Another key area of her laboratory work involves conductance through nanocomposite systems formed by mixing conducting and insulating materials. She also investigates the effects of photothermal heating on polymeric systems, polymer fluids under strong electric fields, and polymer nanocomposites, developing processing schemes to mitigate environmental damage or reduce energy consumption.

Clarke has earned widespread recognition for her excellence in teaching introductory-level and major-level physics courses, as well as for integrating experiential learning opportunities into the physics curriculum to prepare students for industry and graduate study. Notable awards include the 2022 UNC Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching, the 2023 American Physical Society Jonathan F. Reichert and Barbara Wolff-Reichert Award for Excellence in Advanced Laboratory Instruction, the 2018 designation as NC State Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor, the 2015 NC State Outstanding Teacher Award, the 2010 College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences LeRoy and Elva Martin Award for Teaching Excellence, and the 1994 Graduate Teaching Fellow Award from the University of Oregon. She developed a senior design capstone course where students work in self-managed teams to design and build apparatus for sponsors, fostering skills in project management, teamwork, ethics, communication, resiliency, and multicultural competence. Key publications encompass 'Artificial molecular rotors' (2005), 'Morphological, electrical, and mechanical characterization of electrospun nanofiber mats containing multiwalled carbon nanotubes' (2007), 'Edge electrospinning for high throughput production of quality nanofibers' (2011), 'Nanoparticle-based photothermal heating to drive chemical reactions within a solid' (2019), and 'Enhancing ionic conductivity in polymer melts results in smaller diameter electrospun fibers' (2023). Through her leadership, Clarke addresses the needs of diverse students, promoting structural changes to support underrepresented groups in physics.