Joel Berrier has spent nearly two decades in academia, blending teaching with research in astrophysics.
The Indiana native earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from Hope College in Holland, Michigan, before pursuing his master’s degree and doctorate in physics and astronomy from the University of California, Irvine.
Prior to joining UNK in 2016, he traveled across the U.S. for different research positions and taught for seven months at the European Space Agency research station in the Canary Islands.
Eventually, Berrier decided to settle in Kearney, a community similar in size to his hometown of Michigan City. He thought it would be a great place to raise a family, and the UNK faculty position offered opportunities to teach and conduct research.
“My favorite part of any of the research positions I had was working with undergraduate and graduate students,” he said.
Now an associate professor and chair of the UNK Department of Physics and Astronomy, Berrier’s primary research focuses on galaxy formation theory and cosmology. In the classroom, he provides hands-on education that sets students up for success in science careers.
Why did you choose this career path?
When I was about 5 years old, I remember learning about atoms and molecules from one of my older brothers. I was fascinated, and I remember telling my parents that I wanted to be a scientist. By the time I was 14, I was interested in how stars worked, so I wanted to pursue a career in astrophysics.
What classes do you teach?
I teach a variety of classes, including physical science, introduction to astronomy, both algebra- and calculus-based physics, modern physics, mathematical techniques in physics, classical mechanics and our second-semester astrophysics course on galaxy formation and cosmology, which is the study of the whole universe.
How do your classes prepare students for their future careers?
Any course in physics teaches problem-solving skills along with quantitative skills. Our classes teach students techniques to solve physical, engineering and astronomical problems, but they also teach problem-solving skills in general. Any of the classes in our department teach students how to use information and a reasonable set of assumptions to solve a complicated question.
Students in our programs learn computer and mathematical skills, how to handle data, how to conduct an experiment and how to interpret the results of a set of data or an experiment. Since our students are mostly going into physics, astronomy, engineering or even health sciences, they learn material that directly applies to their careers.
What is your teaching philosophy?
It is my responsibility not only to teach students the material in the course, but to encourage them to develop an appreciation of that material. I attempt to convey my own passion for astronomy and physics to students in my classroom. Most importantly, I want my students to come away from my course with an understanding of the essential concepts in that topic and an appreciation of how these concepts apply to our universe.
I believe that science education should be engaging, hands-on and career-focused, preparing students not only with foundational knowledge but also with the skills needed to succeed in their professional lives. I incorporate active learning, demonstrations, experiments and simulations whenever possible.
What do you enjoy about teaching?
I love working with students. I love interacting with a class and asking questions. I enjoy the opportunity to inspire a student to succeed in their dream and to grow.
How about research?
There are so many things that we don’t know. I enjoy the opportunity to take a mystery and solve it. Research gives me an opportunity to learn something new, interact with colleagues across the world and work on the types of questions that first interested me in science when I was a child.
What do you love most about UNK?
UNK has been a great place to work. I get to spend most of my time doing two things that I love – teaching and research. I get to interact with students from a variety of backgrounds and majors. I have great colleagues and students. Kearney also has been a good place to raise my children.
What do you like to do in your free time?
My wife and I have six children, so I spend a lot of my time away from campus with them. I like to read and go for walks, and I’m a big fan of board games, especially those that involve strategy.
Share a fun fact about yourself:
I’m the last of seven children, and a first-generation college graduate.
