Research - Joel Walker
Walker joined the physics department at Sam Houston State University (SHSU) in 2005, and has served as the department chair since 2016. His current research interests include study of beyond the Standard Model signatures at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), investigation of collider kinematic variables and development of software tools for reinterpretation of LHC data, as well as probes of new physics in the neutrino sector at reactors. This work has been funded by the National Science Foundation since 2015, and Walker has been designated a KITP Scholar by the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Walker maintains a broad network of research collaborators, including several faculty at the nearby Mitchell Institute for Fundamental Physics and Astronomy at Texas A\&M University, and has published or worked directly with more than 20 individuals at fourteen different institutions during the last three years. His research overlaps with that of Professor James Dent, and both function as theory advisors to the MINER (Mitchell Institute Neutrino Experiment at Reactor) project. Walker's students at SHSU have gone on to graduate study at Baylor, Georgia Tech, the University of Houston (2), the University of Oklahoma (2), Southern Methodist University, the University of Texas at Dallas, Texas Tech(2), and Vanderbilt, and to careers in industry. Former student Kamal Lamichhane was awarded a prestigious LHC Physics Center Graduate Scholar appointment at FermiLab for 2018. Derek Johnson, Matt Breeding, Kebur Fantahun, and Ashen Fernando recently presented their research at the annual Phenomenology conference at the University of Pittsburgh, and the latter pair additionally published their work in Physical Review D as "Probing Squeezed Bino-Slepton Spectra with the Large Hadron Collider", in collaboration with faculty and post-doctoral assistants at Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, Hawaii, Utah, and Michigan. Walker's publication record is available at Inspire.
Dominey Observatory - Public Viewing Nights
To reserve your spot, please email observatory@shsu.edu or call (936) 294-1601. Please include the full names of all attendees when making your reservation.
| Date | Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, March 8th | 8:00pm | Reservations are currently at capacity. | |
| Saturday, March 22nd | 8:00pm | Reservations are currently at capacity. | |
| Saturday, April 12th | 8:00pm | Reservations are currently at capacity. | |
| Saturday, April 26th | 8:00pm | Reservations are currently at capacity. | |
FAQ
Can I come to the observatory without a reservation?
No, a reservation is required to visit the Dominey Observatory.
Is food or drink allowed?
No, we ask that all food and drinks be left in your car.
Can I bring my own telescope?
Yes, but prior approval is required when making your reservation. We encourage visitors to bring their own telescopes, but depending on the night, space may be limited.
What are your office hours?
Our office is open Monday through Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM, excluding weekends and holidays.
Can I bring a large group, or do you allow field trips?
For large groups or organizations, please contact us directly to arrange a dedicated viewing session outside of our public events.
I saw that some nights are dedicated to students. Can I visit on those nights?
No, those nights are reserved exclusively for students enrolled in our astronomy courses.
How much does it cost?
Public viewings are FREE! However, we do accept donations.
How to Donate:
- Click Give Now
- Enter your Gift Amount
- Under Gift Designation, select College of Science & Engineering Technology
- Under Area of Support, choose Friends of Physics
Location & Directions
Dominey Observatory
📍 39 Knox Cir, Huntsville, TX 77320
Our location may not appear correctly in Apple Maps. We recommend using Google Maps for accurate directions: 39 Knox Circle