Benjamin C. Bromley, professor of physics and astronomy at the University of Utah and notable expert in astrophysics, has been named department chair of physics and astronomy, effective July 1, 2016. Bromley joined the department in 1998. He was the department’s associate chair starting in 2015. With about 300 declared physics majors and around 100 graduate students, the physics department is continuing to improve its educational offerings with a new astronomy and astrophysics emphasis for undergraduate physics majors. The U has earned a place in the astrophysics community with access to world-class telescope facilities and cutting-edge surveys of stars and galaxies. Bromley’s own research, with funding from NASA, focuses on planet formation, evolution of black holes, and the large-scale structure of the universe. Bromley is available to comment on the astronomical potential of the department and his own otherworldly work.

Ben Bromley | 801-581-8227 | bromley@physics.utah.edu