Dr. Michael Hibbs
Research Interests & Funded Research

1. Observational Astronomy
      a. Eclipsing Binaries and Mass Transfer Phenomenon
      b. Photometric Sky Surveys for Near Earth Asteroids and Comets
      c. Photometric Sky Surveys for Super Novae

2. Physics And Science Education
      a. Secondary and Primary School Science Education
      b. Science Education for the General Public
      c. Development of Undergraduate Research Programs

3. Material Science
      a. Development, Characterization and Design of Structure with Composite Materials
      b. Post Failure Analysis of Structural Components
      c. Microscopic and Macroscopic Failure Mechanisms of Structural Materials


I am also actively involved in Physics and Science Education through the Hands-On Universe Program and a Tarleton lead consortium of high schools that incorporates the ability to teach and apply real research in the secondary school classrooms. Currently I am trying to establish metrics to assess the affect this program has on increasing the number of high school graduates who undertake science or math majors in college.

With the completion of the observatory I have started to pursue research projects in mass transfer and stellar evolution of eclipsing binaries and systematic photometric sky surveys in the attempt to discover super novae and new near Earth asteroids and comets.