Jessica Uscinski Hurst Senior Professorial Lecturer CAS | Physics

Degrees: PhD Physics, University of Arizona, 2008
BS Physics, The College of William and Mary, 2003
Bio: Jessica Uscinski is a Hurst Senior Professorial Lecturer in the Department of Physics at American University and serves as the department’s Laboratory Director. She teaches introductory and upper-level physics courses and is committed to creating a supportive, student-centered learning environment where students build confidence, strengthen problem-solving skills, and learn to think like physicists.

As Laboratory Director, she oversees the instructional laboratories and works to ensure that lab courses emphasize hands-on experimentation, scientific reasoning, data analysis, and clear communication. She has also mentored undergraduate student research projects, including work with Prof. Silvina Guidoni using machine learning techniques to analyze solar data.

Jessica earned her PhD in theoretical physics from the University of Arizona, with research focused on particle physics beyond the Standard Model and its connections to astrophysical experiments. She enjoys helping students connect abstract ideas to real evidence—whether through experiments, data, or thoughtful modeling.

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