Meet the new Director of the National Center for Physical Acoustics: Dr. Joseph R. Gladden III. He brings a wealth of knowledge to the one of the nation’s leading Physical Acoustics facility.
Meet the new director of the National Center for Physical Acoustics: Dr. Joseph R. Gladden III. He brings a wealth of knowledge to the one of the nation’s leading physical acoustics facilities.
The National Center for Physical Acoustics at The University of Mississippi welcomed a new director to the center, Dr. Joseph R. Gladden III, on Jan. 1. Gladden is an associate professor in the university’s Department of Physics and a part of the research staff at the center.
Gladden received his doctorate in physics from Pennsylvania State University. Gladden was a postdoctoral fellow at Penn State in mathematics, conducting experiments with fluid mechanics.
Gladden brings an accomplished history to the center along with a bright vision for the future.
His plan includes short-term changes such as minimizing the disruption resulting from the reduction of administrative staff for the center through the equitable division of administrative duties.
Gladden’s plan also includes the expansion of the center’s role on campus through increased student awareness and visibility of the center’s projects.
“One component of our research done here at the center is to utilize ultrasound to characterize and locate brain tumors,” Gladden said.
“Acoustics can be used to present a non-intrusive way to determine the soundness of a levee system. Aeroacoustics utilize a wind tunnel that allows air to travel at five times the speed of sound.”
The university’s acoustics center is one of the largest acoustics centers in the nation. Brian Carpenter, a research and development engineer at the center, is among those who are eager to have Gladden as director.
“We’re all excited about his new appointment,” Carpenter said.
“He is an exemplary faculty member and a distinguished scientist who holds the respect of his colleagues.”
Provost Morris Stocks mentioned Gladden’s leadership involvement with the STEM Living and Learning Community and position as a faculty fellow in the Residential College.
“I’m confident Dr. Gladden will lead the center to the next level of excellence,” Stocks said.
Dr. James P. Chambers had previously held the position of interim executive director of the center.
