PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY

College of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Ron Canterna

Ron Canterna is retired from the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Wyoming where he was an Associate Professor.  He received his B.A. degree in Astro-geophysics at Colgate University in 1968, a B.A. in Science Education at the University of Wyoming (1982), and his Ph.D. in Astronomy from the University of Washington (1976).  He was a past Director of the Wyoming Infra-Red Observatory, the Red Buttes Observatory for undergraduate research, and the University of Wyoming’s Natural Science Program (now the Science and Mathematics Teaching Center).  He directed Wyoming’s Summer Undergraduate Research Assistantship Program, a national research institute in astronomy for undergraduate students for 23 years since 1987, has written over 75 publications and conference proceedings, received over $ 4 million in research and education grants, and has been very active in physics outreach programs for elementary and secondary school teachers.  His research interests include stellar astronomy, sports bio-mechanics, and science education.  He was the principal masters and doctoral thesis advisor for over 24 students.  Ron wrote a monthly astronomical column, “Northern Rockies Skies” for states of Wyoming and Idaho newspapers.  Canterna was the 1991 recipient of the Golden Apple Award for Outstanding Freshman Teaching and the 1996 Ellbogen Award for Teaching Excellence at the University of Wyoming.  After retirement he became the Director of Torino Study Abroad for two years, an Italian educational institution focused on academic programs for US-based students.  He currently teaches physics courses online for Wyoming and directs the Italo-Adventures program which takes a group of Wyoming students on a tour of Italy in the January break.