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Rebekah M. Purvis

Lecturer

University of North Texas

Department of Physics

Email: Rebekah.Purvis@unt.edu

Education

  • PhD, George Mason University, 2011
    Major: Physics
    Dissertation: The Evolution of Modeled Coronal Mass Ejection in the Lower Corona: Effects of the Heating and Acceleration of the Solar Wind
  • MS, George Mason University, 2008
    Major: Applied and Engineering Physics
  • BS, University of Delaware, 2006
    Major: Physics
    Specialization: Astrophysics

Licensures and Certifications

  • Physics/Mathematics (Grades 7-12), Texas Education Agency. (2016 - 2026).

Professional Memberships

  • American Association of Physics Teachers. (July 2024 - Present).
  • American Astronomical Society. (October 2022 - Present).

Development Activities

  • Workshop, CLAW Institute, UNT DSI/CLEAR. Denton,Texas,United States of America. (August 1, 2025 - December 1, 2025).
  • Workshop, UNT Excellence in Instruction, UNT and ACUE. Denton,Texas,United States of America. (August 2023 - May 2024).

Teaching

Teaching Experience

    University of North Texas

  • PHYS 1052 - Solar System, 18 courses.
  • PHYS 1062 - Stars and the Universe, 10 courses.
  • PHYS 1410 - General Physics I, 4 courses.
  • PHYS 1420 - General Physics II, 9 courses.
  • PHYS 1510 - General Physics I with Calculus, 19 courses.
  • PHYS 1530 - General Physics with Calculus Laboratory I, 22 courses.
  • PHYS 1710 - Mechanics, 6 courses.
  • PHYS 2900 - Special Problems, 10 courses.
  • PHYS 3010 - Modern Physics, 2 courses.
  • PHYS 4610 - Topics in Astronomy, 2 courses.
  • PHYS 4900 - Special Problems, 8 courses.
  • PHYS 4910 - Special Problems, 1 course.
  • PHYS 4950 - Senior Thesis, 9 courses.
  • PHYS 4955 - Senior Thesis Capstone, 6 courses.
  • PHYS 5910 - Special Problems, 1 course.

Directed Student Learning

  • Supervised Research, "Energy transfer in Supersonic Jets," Physics. (August 2023).
  • Supervised Research, "Investigation of Instrument Coatings for Lunar Exploration," Physics. (August 2023).
  • Supervised Research, "Variable Star Observations," Physics. (August 2023).
  • Supervised Research, "Searching for Supernova near Known Exoplanets," Physics. (June 2023).
  • Supervised Research, "Switchbacks in the Solar Wind," Physics. (June 2023).
  • Supervised Research, "Confirmation of an Exoplanet Candidate using the Transit Method," Physics. (June 2022).
  • Supervised Research, "The Martian Magnetic Field," Physics. (August 2022 - May 2023).
  • Supervised Research, "Investigating the Effects of Inquiry-based Physics Labs on Student Attitudes and Learning," Physics. (June 2022 - May 2023).
  • Supervised Research, "Investigating Student Engagement with a University Telescope Loaner Program," Physics. (January 2022 - December 2022).

Research

Published Intellectual Contributions

    Abstracts and Proceedings

  • Purvis, R.M. (2025). Eclipse Outreach at a Large University on the Edge of Totality. Volume 56 (Issue 9) Bulletin of the AAS.

Contracts, Grants, Sponsored Research

    Grant - Research

  • Neu, J., Zhang, Z., Kelber, J.A., Choi, T., Philipose, U., Purvis, R.M., Lin, Y., Xiao, Y., Cui, J., "Conductive-Probe-AFM combined with Terahertz Scattering Near- Field Microscope (c-AFM+THz-SNOM)," sponsored by DOD, Federal, $764981 Funded. (2024 - 2025).

    • Grant - Teaching

  • Petros, A.K., Allen, C.D., Atkinson, M.B., Moon, A., Baker, R.M., Purvis, R.M., "Interdisciplinary STEM Learning and Practice Collaborative," sponsored by Faculty Success, University of North Texas, $3000 Funded. (2025 - 2026).
  • Purvis, R.M. (Supporting), Barr, A.M. (Principal), "At Risk Students in Algebra-based Physics Courses," University of North Texas, $5000 Funded. ( - 2025).
  • Purvis, R.M. (Principal), Barr, A.M. (Supporting), Petros, A.K. (Supporting), "First Year Physics Seminar," University of North Texas, $5000 Funded. ( - 2025).

Service

University Service

  • Committee Member, Instructional Committee. (August 2025 - Present).
  • Committee Member, Learning Institute. (August 1, 2025 - Present).
  • Committee Member, School of Math and Science Foundations Ad Hoc Committee. (August 1, 2025 - Present).
  • Committee Member, Committee on Evaluation of University Administrators. (January 1, 2025 - Present).
  • Committee Member, Course Schedulers Committee. (January 2025 - Present).
  • Committee Member, Physics Olympics Committee. (August 2023 - Present).
  • Member, Council of Advisors. (January 2022 - Present).
  • Committee Member, Undergraduate Curriculum Committee. (January 2022 - Present).
  • Committee Member, Health Professions Advisory Committee. (January 2024 - May 2025).
  • Member, President Keller's Design Group. (August 1, 2024 - May 1, 2025).
  • Committee Member, Grade Appeal Committee. (January 2022 - July 2024).
  • Committee Member, Search Committee. (October 2023 - May 2024).
  • Committee Chair, Eclipse Planning Committee. (August 2023 - May 2024).
  • Committee Member, Executive Committee. (June 2023 - May 2024).
  • Committee Member, Search Committee. (June 2023 - November 2023).
  • Committee Member, IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access) Committee. (January 2022 - May 2023).
  • Committee Member, Search Committee. (January 2023 - April 2023).
  • Committee Member, Search Committee. (January 2023 - April 2023).
  • Committee Member, Search Committee. (January 2022 - April 2022).