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Nathan Harshman Professor CAS | Physics

Degrees
PhD, Theoretical Particle Physics, University of Texas at Austin
BS, Double major: Physics and English, Duke University

Bio
Overview
Nathan (Nate) Harshman is a mathematical and theoretical physicist specializing in the study of symmetry and topology in quantum systems. He has published over sixty articles and book chapters across quantum physics, including high-energy particle physics, quantum information theory, and ultracold atomic physics. The unifying theme of Nate’s work is solvability and (to quote Nobel laureate Eugene Wigner) the unreasonable effectiveness of mathematics in the natural sciences. Nate has also published articles in the fields of physics education research and the philosophy of science and written book reviews for newspapers and journals. He has taught across the curriculum in the Department of Physics and won multiple University awards for teaching. Finally, Nate is devoted to student mentorship and building the science education and research infrastructure at American, and has served as the Department Chair of Physics, the Director of the NASA DC Space Grant Consortium, and a co-founder of the Initiative for STEM Education, Equity, and Ethics.

Current Research
Nate’s current research focuses on studies symmetry, topology and control in low-dimensional ultracold atomic systems. One main project explores how ultracold atoms confined to a linear trap can be used to simulate anyons, a type of particle that can only exist in low-dimensional quantum systems. Anyons have exotic topological exchange statistics that might be useful for quantum computation. An experimental group at Harvard is using a Rubidium quantum gas microscope to test his most recent proposal for quantum control with anyons. Other current projects look at how symmetry breaking leads to chaos and how integrability and topology can influence quantum control.

Student Research and Mentorship
The AU Physics Department is committed to involving students in research, discovery and professional development projects. Each year, Nate typically supervises several research projects and independent studies in topics related to his research. These students present their work at local and national research conferences and sometimes in publications as co-authors.

Besides mentoring students in research, Nate also helps the Physics Department support students in a variety of other forms of experiential education and professional development activities. In his role with NASA DC Space Grant, he contributed to projects to launch high-altitude balloons and build radio telescopes. He also contributes to mentorship events, teachings one-credit courses like “How Physicists Work”, and advises students on applying for internships and merit awards.

Teaching
Nate has taught most courses in the department at least once, but three of his favorites are: 1) “Principles of Physics”, the introductory physics with calculus sequence; 2) “Waves and Optics”, an intermediate class on light, sound and resonances; and 3) “What is the Matter with Us”, an interdisciplinary first-year seminar part of the Complex Problems program that looks at material science and materialist theories of history, culture, and economics. In all these classes, Nate employs problem-based learning, hands-on activities, splashy demonstrations, and other techniques to sustain student attention and interest. Students agree that Nate is energetic and whimsical in the classroom, making for a memorable experience.

History
After completing a double-major in Physics and English as an undergraduate at Duke University in 1995, Professor Harshman received his PhD in Theoretical Particle Physics at University of Texas at Austin in 2001. After two years as a post-doc at Rice University, he began his career at American University in 2003 and gradually worked his way up the academic ranks. His work has brought him all over the world: he has won two Fulbright Awards to teach and do research in Italy and Spain, three awards for research in Germany, and also spent a year as a Visiting Professor in Denmark. In addition to international fellowships, his research has been funded by NASA, NSF, and the Research Corporation. He has been a full professor since 2017 and he is proud to live in Washington, DC and to advocate for its full representation in Congress.

Professional Service
Nate served as Department Chair of the Physics Department from 2008-2009, 2012-2016, and 2017-2020, and 2022-2023. During this time, the Department grew from five full-time faculty to over thirty members of the department, including full-time, externally-funded research faculty with the Integrated Space Science and Technology Institute. From 2017- 2025, Nate was the Director of the NASA DC Space Grant Consortium. The goal of NASA DC Space Grant is to contribute to the NASA mission, specifically by fostering partnerships among NASA Centers, higher education, and the aerospace industry. All higher education institutions in DC are part of the DC Space Grant Consortium as well as several non-profit entities and professional organizations. At AU, DC Space Grant funds numerous awards to fund student research internships on-campus, at NASA Goddard and NASA HQ in DC, and other NASA Centers around the country. Among his other service contributions to American University, Nate is a founding member of the Initiative for STEM Education, Equity and Ethics, a faculty collaboration that studies how ethical training from STEM students and faculty can lead to institutional transformation.
See Also
Physics Department
NASA DC Space Grant
Initiative on STEM Education, Equity and Ethics
Google Scholar profile
For the Media
To request an interview for a news story, call AU Communications at 202-885-5950 or submit a request. Explore all AU Faculty Experts in our media guide.

Teaching

Fall 2025

  • PHYS-110 Principles of Physics I

  • PHYS-110 Principles of Physics I

  • PHYS-110 Principles of Physics I

  • PHYS-110 Principles of Physics I

  • PHYS-110 Principles of Physics I

  • PHYS-110 Principles of Physics I

  • PHYS-110 Principles of Physics I

  • PHYS-110 Principles of Physics I

Spring 2026

  • PHYS-351 Waves and Optics

Scholarly, Creative & Professional Activities

Honors, Awards, and Fellowships

  • Teaching with Technology Award 2007; Center for Teaching Excellence, American University   
  • Cottrell College Science Award; Research Corporation, 2006-2008  
  • Fulbright Junior Lectureship; US State Department and Faculty of Physics, University of Trento, Spring 2006

Selected Publications

Journal Articles

X. M. Aretxabaleta, M. Gonchenko, N.L. Harshman, S.G. Jackson, M. Olshanii, G.E. Astrakharchik, “The dynamics of digits: Calculating pi with Galperin's billiards,” Mathematics 8, 509 (2020).

N.L. Harshman, A.C. Knapp, “Anyons from Three-Body Hard-Core Interactions in One Dimension,” Annals of Physics 412 (2020) 168003, arXiv: 1803.11000.

M. A. Garcia-March, N. L. Harshman, H. da Silva, T. Fogarty, Th. Busch, M. Lewenstein, A. Ferrando, “Graded-index optical fiber emulator of an interacting three-atom system: Classical nonseparability and illumination control of particle statistics,” Quantum 3 (2019), 210 (14 pages), arXiv: 1902.01748.

Popular Essays and Book Reviews

N.L. Harshman, “Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (3 Ed.),” American Journal of Physics 87 (2019), 237.

Unsolvability in the Anthropocene by Nathan L. Harshman