Education
Ph.D., Mathematics, University of St. Andrews
MSc, Applied Physics, The Johns Hopkins University
BSc, Mechanical Engineering (Minor: Philosophy), University at Buffalo
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Professional Credentials
- Member, American Physical Society (APS)
- Elected treasurer of the APS' Topical Group on Quantum Information (GQI), 2012-2014
- Founding Editor of the APS GQI publication The Quantum Times
- Fellow, Royal Astronomical Society (RAS)
- Elected member, Foundational Questions Institute (FQXi)
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Background Information
I consider myself to be a mathematical physicist. That is, I apply mathematical concepts to physical problems. I have been doing this in some guise or another for more than fifteen years. I am particularly interested in foundational issues, notably those in quantum mechanics and quantum information, but also in statistical mechanics, cosmology, quantum gravity, and particle physics. I find I am often drawn to issues involving emergence and complexity, especially as it applies to the quantum-classical contrast. That said, I am perfectly content applying these ideas to other areas including engineering. That is the beauty of mathematics and physics --- they are at the core of everything!
I have an entrepreneurial bent as well, being a veteran of six start-up ventures ranging from STEM education to nanotechnology to software development. My current start-up is called Kitchology, Inc. In an effort to promote an entrepreneurial spirit in Saint Anselm students, I worked to develop a partnership between Saint Anselm and the University of Notre Dame's ESTEEEM program. In addition to managing that program, I am currently Director of the Computational Physical Sciences Program along with Prof. Mihaela Malita of the Computer Science Department. I am former Chair of Physics and former Acting Chair of Mathematics. In my spare time, I enjoy fly fishing, competitive auto racing (though I don't get many opportunities to do it), performing music (of quite literally any genre --- I have even released an album), writing (short fiction and poetry mostly), generally being outdoors, and a host of other things too numerous to name. For more information, view my personal blog at (quantummoxie.wordpress.com)
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Recent and Notable Publications
M. Skotiniotis, B. Toloui, I.T. Durham, and B.C. Sanders, "Quantum Frameness for CPT Symmetry," Physical Review Letters, forthcoming (2013).
I.T. Durham, "Quantum Computers and Information Security: Shor's Algorithm and the Future of RSA," Hakin9 Extra, 14 (2012).
I.T. Durham, "Information and thermodynamic systems," in Foundations of Physics and Probability - 6, A. Khrennikov, ed., AIP Press, Melville, NY (2012).
I.T. Durham, "Rethinking the scientific enterprise: in defense of reductionism," Fourth Prize, 2012 Foundational Questions Institute (FQXi) Essay Contest: "Questioning the foundations" (2012).
I.T. Durham, "In search of continuity: thoughts of an epistemic empiricist," Fourth Prize, 2011 Foundational Questions Institute (FQXi) Essay Contest: "Is reality digital or analog?" (2011).
I.T. Durham, "Unification and Emergence in Physics: the Problem of Articulation," Third Prize, 2009 Foundational Questions Institute (FQXi) Essay Contest: "What is ultimately possible in physics?" (2009).
I.T. Durham, "Rethinking the history of solar wind studies: Eddington's analysis of Comet Morehouse," Notes and Records of the Royal Society, 60, 261 (2006).
I.T. Durham, "Numerology and the cosmos: alternative cosmologies in 1930's Britain," Cubo: Matematica Educacion, 5, 1 (2003).
I.T. Durham, "Eddington and Uncertainty," Physics in Perspective, 5, 398 (2003).
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Professional Societies
- American Physical Society
Editor, The Quantum Times, newsletter of the Topical Group on Quantum Information - Royal Astronomical Society
Fellow - British Society for the Philosophy of Science
- The Anacapa Society
- American Physical Society
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Research Interests
- Quantum information science, in particular theoretical studies of open quantum systems, algorithms for quantum computing, and quantum cryptographic protocols.
- Foundational problems in mathematics and physics with an emphasis on quantum mechanics and its intersection with statistical mechanics and thermodynamics.
- History and philosophy of physics, mathematics, and astronomy.
- Other random things that pique my interest.
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Background
Academic Degrees
- Ph.D. in Mathematics, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland, 2005.
Dissertation Title: Sir Arthur Eddington and the Foundations of Modern Physics - M.Sc. in Applied Physics
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 2001. - B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering (Concentration: Fluids; Minor: Philosophy)
State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, 1997.
Academic and Research Positions
Saint Anselm College
Manchester, New Hampshire
Associate Professor, Department of Physics, 2008 - Present
Director, Computational Physical Sciences Program, 2008 - Present
Assistant Professor, 2004 - 2008Simmons College
Boston, Massachusetts
Visiting Assistant Professor, 2002 - Present
Lecturer, 2001-2002University of New Hampshire
Durham, New Hampshire
CATSAT Research Fellow, 2001United States Naval Academy
Annapolis, Maryland
Adjunct Instructor of Physics, 2001 (Spring)Industry Positions
Durham Research, Inc.
Crofton, Maryland
President, 1999-2001SAIC, Inc.
Washington, DC
Scientific Programmer/Instrument Engineer, 1997 - 2000 - Ph.D. in Mathematics, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland, 2005.