College of Science physics professor Roberto Mancini has been elected as a 2015 Fellow by the Council of the American Physical Society. Mancini joins several colleagues in the College of Science who have received the prestigious Fellowships from the APS.

He is honored for his work with plasma physics, specifically for "broad high-impact contributions to plasma spectroscopy and pioneering genetic-algorithm-driven multi-objective data analysis in high-energy density plasma spectroscopy," according to the APS.

"This is a wonderful opportunity, because not only is it positive for me, but it also helps keep the University on the map," Mancini said.

Mancini started his journey at the University in fall 1993. Throughout the last 22 years, his presence has helped keep the Department of Physics at the forefront of science, most notably his contributions to pioneering the school's plasma physics program. Past projects of his include examining gravitational force, producing mini-stars and developing new sources of energy. His cutting-edge experiments and extensive research built a strong rapport within the scientific community.

"Dr. Mancini's continued dedication is paired with his team-oriented attitude," College of Science Dean Jeff Thompson said. "His department leadership is also reflected in the success of his students."

Five of his former graduate students have been hired by the Los Alamos National Laboratory. Mancini teaches a graduate-level course broadcast in real time internationally. His lecture includes students from MIT, the Institute of Physics in Prague and various universities spread across the world. His students are currently exploring polychromatic tomography, an advanced form of physics concerning radiation. Branching out into new studies is simply another attribute of Mancini's distinguishable character.

"I have always wanted to understand how things work," Mancini said. "Every day is different, and you don't have the answers, and curiosity is what pushes me to figure things out."