George Hassel

I currently serve the Siena College Physics Department as the Laboratory Technician, where I prepare lab exercises for the General Physics sequence.  I also teach sections of General Physics lecture and lab, and Introductory Astronomy.  I participate in research in Computational Astrochemistry, which is a multidisciplinary field involving the development and use of computational codes to simulate the evolution of chemistry in star forming regions.   The primary goal of this work is to study the chemistry related to the formation of life in our solar system, and the likelihood of forming organic chemistry in other similar (or not so similar) regions in the universe.   My other major interest is improving Physics education.  Throughout my education and career path, I have chosen opportunities and institutions to further develop these interests.

My Siena Experience

My Teaching Philosophy

My teaching philosophy is built around active learning, or the use of hands-on activities and demonstrations to introduce and illustrate physical concepts by investigation of tangible problems or videos.   This foundation is used to develop learning objective, course materials, and assessments.   These methods are designed to appeal to a broad range of learning styles.

What I Love About Siena

My favorite part of teaching at Siena is the enthusiasm of the students for new educational experiences.  They bring a great breadth of knowledge, they learn quickly, they show a great deal of dedication to their studies, and many still find the time to participate actively in athletics, student groups, and service projects.   It is also great to work in a department and school that work to provide a top-notch educational experience to the students and to serve the broader community.  I especially love to hear from students after graduation and learn how their Siena experience has affected their lives.

My Favorite Courses to Teach

My favorite classes to teach are introductory physics and astronomy, particularly for those not majoring in physics or in any science.   I enjoy the challenge of finding ways to present course materials that appeal to a broad audience and convey my enthusiasm for the topics.  These courses provide a great opportunity to introduce and discuss new discoveries in the fields.        

My Professional Experience

Current Research

My primary research interest is Computational Astrochemistry, which involves mathematical modeling of chemistry and chemical evolution in star forming regions.   These models are used to interpret and predict observations of chemical species in these environments, including common, familar molecules and more bizzare species.   The development of organic chemistry toward low mass star forming regions, similar to the conditions that likely formed the Sun and solar system, is of particular interest.   I have also worked on projects related to the interpretation of the chemical composition of pre-cometary materials.  

Articles & Book Reviews

• Uncertainty Propagation in Modern Physics Lab
  2018 Conference on Laboratory Instruction Beyond the First Year
  2018
• Uncertainty Propagation in Modern Physics Lab
  2018 Conference on Laboratory Instruction Beyond the First Year
  2018
• A New Take on Exploding Carts
  Physics Teacher, vol. 55
  2017
• Assessing students' conceptual knowledge of electricity and magnetism
  Physical Review Special Topics - Physics Education Research, vol. 13
  2017
• Chemical Simulations of Prebiotic Molecules: Interstellar Ethanimine Isomers
  Astrophysical Journal, vol. 824
  2016
• Ortho-to-para ration of NH2. Herschel-HIFI observations of ortho- and para-NH2 rotational transitions toward W31C, W49N, W51, and G34.3+0.1
  Astronomy & Astrophysics, vol. 586
  2016
• Herschel observations of EXtra-Ordinary Sources: ANALYSIS OF THE HIFI 1.2 THz WIDE SPECTRAL SURVEY TOWARD ORION KL II. CHEMICAL IMPLICATIONS
  Astrophysical Journal, vol. 806
  2015
• Water Deuteration and Ortho-to-Para Nuclear Spin Ration of H2 in Molecular Clouds Formed via Accumulation of HI Gas
  Astronomy & Astrophysics, vol. 584
  2015
• Detection of a dense clump in a filament interacting with W51e2
  Astronomy & Astrophysics, vol. 566
  2014
• First detection of [N II] 205 um absorption in interstellar gas. Herschel-HIFI observations towards W 31C, W 49N, W 51, and G34.3+0.1
  Astronomy & Astrophysics, vol. 568
  2014
• Upper limits to interstellar NH+ and para-NH2- abundances. Herschel-HIFI observations towards Sgr B2(M) and G10.6-0.4 (W31C)
  Astronomy & Astrophysics, vol. 567
  2014
• Nitrogen hydrides in interstellar gas II. Analysis of Herschel/HIFI observations towards W49N and G10.6-0.4(W31C)
  Astronomy & Astrophysics, vol. 543
  2012
• The Chemistry of C3 & Carbon Chain Molecules in DR21(OH)
  Astronomy & Astrophysics, vol. 546
  2012
• Carbon-chain Species in Warm-up Models
  Astrophysical Journal, vol. 743
  2011
• The Effects of Grain Size and Grain Growth on the Chemical Evolution of Dark Clouds
  Astrophysical Journal, vol. 732
  2011
• Beyond the Pseudo-time-dependent Approach: Chemical Models of Dense Core Precursors
  Astronomy & Astrophysics, vol. 515
  2010
• Inclusion of reactions with barriers in hot core models
  65th OSU International Symposium on Molecular Spectroscopy
  2010
• Interstellar CH absorption in the diffuse interstellar medium along the sight-lines to G10.6-0.4 (W31C), W49N, and W51
  Astronomy & Astrophysics, vol. 521
  2010
• Nitrogen Hydrides in Interstellar Gas: Herschel/HIFI observations toward G10.6-0.4 (W31C)
  Astronomy & Astrophysics, vol. 521
  2010
• Shock formation of initial molecular ice mantles
  64th OSU International Symposium on Molecular Spectroscopy
  2009
• Modeling the Lukewarm Corino Phase: Is L1527 Unique?
  Astrophysical Journal, vol. 681
  2008
• Modeling the Molecular Composition of the Transitional Protostar L1527
  63rd OSU International Symposium on Molecular Spectroscopy
  2008
• New Theoretical Results Concerning the Interstellar Abundance of Molecular Oxygen
  Astrophysical Journal, vol. 681
  2008
• Shock Processing of Mixed Molecular Ices in Protoplanetary Disks
  American Astronomical Society 207th Meeting
  2006
• Shock Processing of Icy Mantles in Protoplanetary Disks
  American Astronomical Society 204th Meeting
  2004
• A Test Case for the Organic Refractory Model of Interstellar Dust
  Astrophysical Journal, vol. 591
  2003
• A test case for the organic refractory model of interstellar dust
  Astrophysics of Dust
  2003
• Shock Processing and Ice Mantle Crystallization
  SFChem 2002: Chemistry as a Diagnostic of Star Formation
  2003
• Crystalline Ice in Protoplanetary Disks
  American Astronomical Society 199th Meeting
  2002
• The Sproul 24-Inch Refractor: Entering A New Century of Research
  American Astronomical Society 194th Meeting
  1999

Awards & Distinctions

• Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do
  Category: Other
  Pai's Academy of Tae Kwon Do, Troy, NY, 2003
• Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
  Category: Other
  Widener University, Chester, PA, 1999
• Alpha Chi Honor Society
  Category: Other
  Widener University, Chester, PA, 1998
• Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society
  Category: Other
  Widener University, Chester, PA, 1998
• Sigma Pi Sigma Honor Society
  Category: Other
  Widener University, Chester, PA, 1997
• Eagle Scout
  Category: Other
  Boy Scouts of America, 1995
• National Honor Society
  Category: Other
  Interboro High School, Prospect Park, PA, 1995
• Salutatorian
  Category: Other
  Interboro High School, Prospect Park, PA, 1995

Presentations

• Engaging the Public and Introductory Astronomy Students through Virtual Observing Sessions
  December, 2020
  Astronomical Society of the Pacific ASP2020 Virtual Conference, Virtual, Virtual
• Modifying Introductory Activities For Pandemic Modes
  December, 2020
  Astronomical Society of the Pacific ASP2020 Virtual Conference, Virtual, Virtual
• Uncertainty Propagation in Modern Physics Lab
  2018
  2018 Conference on Laboratory Instruction Beyond the First Year, Baltimore, Maryland
• Computational Modeling of the Chemical Evolution of Deuterated Water toward the Galactic Center Cloud W51
  September, 2013
  Summer Scholars / CURCA Poster Session, Loudonville, New York
• Computational Modeling of the Chemical Evolution of Low Mass Star Forming Regions
  April, 2013
  American Chemical Society Undergraduate Meeting, Loudonville, New York
• Hydrocarbon Chemistry in Star Forming Regions
  October, 2012
  Astronomical Society of New York, Loudonville, New York
• Computational Modeling of the Chemical Evolution of Low Mass Star Forming Regions
  September, 2012
  Summer Scholars / CURCA Poster Session, Loudonville, New York
• Carbon-chain Chemistry In Star Forming Regions
  April, 2011
  Astronomical Society of New York, Rochester, New York
• Astrochemical Modeling of Low-Mass Protostars: Distinguishing the Lukewarm and Hot Corino
  October, 2010
  Astronomical Society of New York, Troy, New York
• Inclusion of reactions with barriers in hot core models
  June, 2010
  65th OSU International Symposium on Molecular Spectroscopy, Columbus, Ohio
• Shock formation of initial molecular ice mantles
  March, 2010
  NASA Astrobiology Institute Workshop Without Walls, Washington, District of Columbia
• Shock formation of initial molecular ice mantles
  June, 2009
  64th OSU International Symposium on Molecular Spectroscopy, Columbus, Ohio
• Shocks as a Molecular Cloud Formation Mechanism: the Astrochemistry Context
  May, 2009
  Center for Chemistry of the Universe Workshop, Green Bank, West Virginia
• Formation of Molecules in Dense Cloud Formation Behind Shocks
  November, 2008
  Midwest Astrochemistry Meeting, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
• Incorporating Laboratory Results into Gas-grain Chemistry Models
  October, 2008
  Interstellar Surfaces: From Laboratory to Models, Lorentz Center Workshop, Leiden, Netherlands
• Computational Modeling of the Chemical Evolution of Low Mass Star Forming Regions
  September, 2008
  University of Missouri-St Louis Physics Department Colloquium, St. Louis, Missouri
• Modeling the Molecular Composition of the Transitional Protostar L1527
  June, 2008
  63rd OSU International Symposium on Molecular Spectroscopy, Columbus, Ohio
• Shock Processing of Ices in Protoplanetary Disks
  June, 2007
  ASTROSURF: New Astronomical Challenges in Surface Science, Edinburgh, Scotland
• Protoplanetary Disks
  July, 2006
  Gordon Research Conference Graduate Student Symposium - Origins of Life, Lewiston, Maine
• Shock Processing of Ices in Protoplanetary Disks
  April, 2006
  Siena College Physics Department Colloquium, Loudonville, New York
• Shock Processing of Mixed Molecular Ices in Protoplanetary Disks
  January, 2006
  American Astronomical Society 207th Meeting, Washington, District of Columbia
• Shock Processing of Mixed Molecular Ices in Protoplanetary Disks
  October, 2005
  Astronomical Society of New York, Schnectady, New York
• Shock Processing of Mixed Molecular Ices in Protoplanetary Disks
  June, 2005
  Gordon Research Conference on Origin of Solar Systems, New London, Connecticut
• Shock Processing of Icy Mantles in Protoplanetary Disks
  May, 2004
  American Astronomical Society 204th Meeting, Denver, Colorado
• A test case for the organic refractory model of interstellar dust
  May, 2003
  Astrophysics of Dust, Estes Park, Colorado
• Shock Processing of Icy Mantles in Protoplanetary Disks
  May, 2003
  Astrophysics of Dust, Estes Park, Colorado
• Shock Processing of Ices in Protoplanetary Disks
  July, 2002
  10th ISSOL Meeting / 13th International Conference on the Origins of Life, Oaxaca, Mexico-Oaxaca
• Crystalline Ice in Protoplanetary Disks
  January, 2002
  American Astronomical Society 199th Meeting, Washington, District of Columbia
• Processing of Ices by MHD Shock Waves in Protoplanetary Disks
  June, 2001
  Gordon Research Conference on Origin of Solar Systems, New London, Connecticut
• The Sproul 24-Inch Refractor: Entering A New Century of Research
  June, 1999
  American Astronomical Society 194th Meeting, Chicago, Illinois