Ian Bentley joined Florida Polytechnic University in 2023 as chair of the Department
of Engineering Physics. Bentley was tasked with reimagining the physics curriculum
and with providing additional support for the introductory physics courses. “Combined
with the existing faculty in the department, we can provide support for a variety
of student interests through coursework and research,” he said.
Before joining Florida Poly, Bentley taught physics at Saint Mary’s College in Notre
Dame, Indiana. He was director of the college’s Dual Degree Engineering Program from
2022-2023, director of the Physics Program from 2018-2022, an associate professor
of physics from 2018-2023, co-department chair of chemistry and physics in 2017 and
2018, and an assistant professor of physics from 2012-2018. During his time at Saint
Mary’s, Bentley developed the physics program curriculum and led the college to establish
bachelor’s degrees in physics, and physics and applied mathematics, and also a minor
in physics, all of which began in the fall of 2016. He supervised the growth of that
physics program, resulting in the classes of 2020 and 2021 graduating more physics
bachelor’s degrees awarded to women than any other college or university in the state
of Indiana. Bentley said he greatly values scientific research and that he has been
fortunate to be part of some wonderful collaborations. He was the principal investigator
for the first major National Science Foundation research grant awarded to Saint Mary’s
College.
Prior to his positions at Saint Mary’s, Bentley served as an adjunct professor of
physics from 2012-2023 at the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana. Bentley
said he was grateful to be appreciated as a quality teacher there. He also was a postdoctoral
research associate at the university from 2010-2011. He also was a visiting assistant
professor of physics at Marquette University from 2011-2012, and an adjunct assistant
professor of physics at Indiana University South Bend from 2010-2011.
At the engineering physics program at Florida Poly, Bentley said Florida Poly is supporting
an exciting combination of a core physics curriculum (in mechanics, thermodynamics,
electricity and magnetism, and quantum mechanics) that is paired design-based applications.
Students are learning how to use mathematics, computation, and other tools to understand
the rules that govern the universe. Together, these skills and the knowledge that
students gain allow graduates from Florida Poly’s program to pursue traditional routes
of going to graduate school for physics or engineering, as well as to go directly
into their careers as engineers, research technicians, teachers, analysts, and a variety
of other options, Bentley said.
Research Grant, Intuitive Video and Image Analysis Software Development, National
Science Foundation (Award Number 1916850), 2019-2023
Research and Dissertation Award, Department of Physics, University of Notre Dame,
2010
Research Honor Society Member, Sigma Xi, 2020
Mathematics Honor Society Member, Pi Mu Epsilon, 2013
Physics Honor Society Member, Sigma Pi Sigma, 2004
Ph.D. in Nuclear Physics, University of Notre Dame, 2010
M.S. in Physics, University of Notre Dame, 2008
B.S. in Physics (Astrophysics option and minors in History and Mathematics), New Mexico
Institute of Mining and Technology, 2004
Computational Physics
Nuclear Structure
Astrophysics
Video Analysis
Member, American Astronomical Society (AAS), 2023-current
Life Member, American Physical Society (APS), 2012-current
Member, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 2022-current
Life Member, Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB) 2021-current
