view . spring2015
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From themoment that SteveRehse tookhis first high
school physics class, he knewhe’d foundhis calling.
Teachingphysics at auniversity is theperfect fit.
“I love science. I love the research and I love interacting
with the students. I don’t like grinding alone in a labbymyself.”
Rehse says he strives tobring context and relevance
to lessons. He says that can get lostwhen teachingphysics,
especially in the upper-level classes.
“All science—bydefinition—is burrowingdowndeep,”
he says. “But then, when youburrow reallydeep into a subject,
you’re in the bottomof a hole and you can’t see anything.
Youneed topoke your headuponce in awhile and ask
‘Where am I?’ and ‘Where is this hole relative to everything else?’
I’ve always really tried todo thatwhen I’m teaching.”
Rehse compares training young scientists to that of an
apprenticeship: if youwant to learn the craft, youhave towork
alongside an expert in the field. It’s about the hours spent in the
lab andnot just about reading and attending class.
Since joining theUWindsorDepartment of Physics
in2011, Rehse has earned a reputation as an enthusiastic teacher.
Hewon theRoger Thibert TeachingExcellenceAward in 2013,
which recognizes andhonours facultywhodevelop a positive,
learning-centred environment in theFacultyof Science.
UWindsor gained aworld expert inbio-medical physics in
Rehse. He uses Laser-InducedBreakdownSpectroscopy (LIBS)
to identifypathogenic bacteria. LIBS allows the physicist to shoot
a laser at a collectionof bacteria and—inunder aminute—
determine if it’s the type of bacteria that couldproduce a disease.
This speedy technique couldeventuallybeuseful on-site,when
a suspectedbio-pathogen suchas anthrax is found inapublic
space. It’s a threat that can shut downabusinesswhile scientists in
biohazard suits collect the sampleandanalyze it ina lab.
Another possibleLIBS applicationwouldbe toquickly identify
the bacterium affecting a person, to aid in targeted andmore
effective treatment.
Rehse physic’s prowess has resulted in three appearances on
theDiscoveryChannel’s science-themed show, the
DailyPlanet
.
STEVE REHSE, PHYSICS
Physics professor SteveRehse, at right.
