UA Little Rock Names Karabacak as Director of School of Physical Sciences
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has appointed Dr. Tansel Karabacak, a distinguished longtime faculty member, as the new director of the School of Physical Sciences.
“I am truly excited and energized by this opportunity,” Karabacak said. “I look forward to collaborating with our talented faculty and staff to achieve great things for our students and the school.”
As director, Karabacak leads the School of Physical Sciences in the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). It was established in 2022 and houses the undergraduate and graduate programs in chemistry, physics, and geology. The school is home to about 25 faculty and staff and 125 students at UA Little Rock.
“We are excited to officially welcome Dr. Karabacak as director of the School of Physical Sciences,” said Jeff Connelly, interim dean of the Donaghey College of STEM. “As a proven leader who has successfully served as interim director of the school and a previous department chair, Dr. Karabacak has demonstrated a deep commitment to both faculty mentorship and student success. His collaborative spirit and innovative vision make him the perfect fit to lead the School of Physical Sciences into its next chapter of growth and excellence.”
The School of Physical Sciences led the university’s solar eclipse celebration in April, which resulted in bringing more than 4,000 visitors to campus and generated 3.5 billion media impressions.
Karabacak’s goals for the School of Physical Sciences include expanding research opportunities for students and faculty members.
“There are exciting research opportunities in topics such as advanced materials, alternative energy, and environmental science,” Karabacak said. “I look forward to having our geology, physics, and chemistry experts collaborate with industry, government, and research centers to lead in these fields. My goal is to make the School of Physical Sciences the epicenter of research in these exciting fields in Central Arkansas while also aligning our curriculum and research with industry needs.”
Karabacak joined UA Little Rock as an assistant professor of physics in 2006. In his nearly 20 years at the university, he has served as graduate coordinator of the applied sciences doctoral program, chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and interim director of the School of Physical Sciences.
Karabacak has a bachelor’s degree in physics from Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey, as well as a master’s degree in physics and Ph.D. in physics in the field of growth dynamics of thin film coatings and glancing angle deposited (GLAD) nanostructures, both from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. His research has involved the applications of GLAD nanostructures and physical vapor deposited thin films as well as alternative energy technologies including solar cells, fuel cells, and batteries.
Karabacak and his wife Muberra have three children and live in Little Rock. He is a fellow of the Arkansas Research Alliance and received the UA Little Rock Faculty Excellence in Research Award in 2017. He is also a member of the Materials Research Society, American Vacuum Society, American Physical Society, and Academic Chairpersons Conference.
