Menu ☰

Back to Top

Physics History Network

Over 1000 biographies of physicists and histories of institutions with information pertaining to their lives, careers, and research.

Tip: Search within this page by using Ctrl + F or ⌘ + F


Search Our Catalogs

Archives Books

Collections

Emilio Segré Visual Archives Digital Collections Oral Histories Archival Finding Aids Physics History Network Member Society Portals Ethical Cataloging Statement

Preservation and Support

Donating Materials Suggest a Book Purchase Saving Archival Collections Grants to Archives Documentation Projects History Newsletters

Center for History of Physics

Scholarship & Outreach

Main Navigation

HomeAboutTopic GuidesFeedback

Table of Contents

Biography

AbstractImportant DatesOccupationPlacesSubjects

Relationships

PeopleInstitutions

Resources

Published as Author

Ellen D. Williams

Photo

Dates

December 5, 1953 – present

Authorized Form of Name

Williams, Ellen D.

Biography

Abstract

Ellen Williams is Distinguished University Professor at University of Maryland (2000-present). Her research interests include surface physics, nanoelectronic materials, experimental statistical mechanics, and flexible electronics.

Important Dates

December 5, 1953Birth, Oshkosh (Wis.).

1976Obtained BS in Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing (Mich.).

1981Obtained PhD in Chemistry, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena (Calif.).

1981 – presentResearch Associate in Physics (1981-1983); Assistant Professor of Physics (1983-1987); Associate Professor of Physics (1987-1991); Member, Institute for Physical Science and Technology (1990-present); Professor of Physics (1991-2000); Director, Chemical Physics Program (1993-1995); Director, Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (1996-present); and Distinguished University Professor (2000-present), University of Maryland, College Park (Md.).

1990 – 1992Member, Committee on the Status of Women in Physics, American Physical Society.

1993Fellow, American Physical Society.

1994 – 1997Member-at-Large, Executive Committee, Division of Condensed Matter Physics, American Physical Society.

2000 – presentMember, National Security Panel, President's Council, University of California.

2001 – 2002Member, Advisory Committee, National Nuclear Security Administration, United States Department of Energy.

2001 – 2004Member, Solid State Sciences Committee, Board on Physics and Astronomy, National Academy of Sciences.

2003Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

2003 – 2004Member, Committee on Nanotechnology for the Intelligence Community, National Research Council.

2005Member, National Academy of Sciences.

2005 – 2007Member, Physics Policy Committee, American Physical Society.

2006 – 2009Member, Board of Directors, Materials Research Society.

2010 – 2013Chief Scientist, Brisith Petroleum (BP).

Occupation

Condensed matter physicist.

Places

Birth

Oshkosh (Wis.)

Undergraduate Education

East Lansing (Mich.)

Graduate Education

Pasadena (Calif.)

Employment

College Park (Md.)

Subjects

Condensed matter.

Nanoelectronics.

Nanostructures.

Statistical mechanics.

Surface (Physics).

Women in science.

Women physicists.

Relationships

People

Family

Gehrels, Emily

Daughter.

Gehrels, Neil

Husband.

Gehrels, Tommy

Son.

Colleagues

Drake, James (James F.)

Both employed at University of Maryland.

Fisher, Michael E. (Michael Ellis)

Both employed at University of Maryland.

Gates, S. James

Both employed at University of Maryland.

Griem, Hans R.

Both employed at University of Maryland.

Jain, Jainendra K.

Both employed at University of Maryland.

Langenberg, D. N., 1932-

Both employed at University of Maryland.

Misner, Charles W.

Both employed at University of Maryland.

Phillips, William D. (William Daniel), 1948-

Both employed at University of Maryland.

Sagdeev, R. Z.

Both employed at University of Maryland.

Webb, R. A. (Richard Alan)

Both employed at University of Maryland.

Weeks, John David

Both employed at University of Maryland.

Institutions

Major Positions

British Petroleum Company

Chief Scientist.

University of Maryland at College Park. Department of Physics and Astronomy

Research Associate in Physics; Assistant Professor of Physics; Associate Professor of Physics; Professor of Physics; and Distinguished University Professor.

Professional Activities & Affiliations

American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Fellow.

American Physical Society

Fellow; Member, Committee on the Status of Women in Physics; Member-at-Large, Executive Committee, Division of Condensed Matter Physics; and Member, Physics Policy Committee.

California Institute of Technology. Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Obtained PhD (1981).

Materials Research Society

Member, Board of Directors.

Michigan State University. Department of Chemistry

Obtained BS (1976).

National Academy of Sciences (U.S.)

Member and Member, Solid State Sciences Committee, Board on Physics and Astronomy.

National Research Council (U.S.)

Member, Committee on Nanotechnology for the Intelligence Community.

United States. Department of Energy

Member, Advisory Committee, National Nuclear Security Administration.

University of Maryland, College Park

Director, Chemical Physics Program and Director, Materials Research Science and Engineering Center.

University of Maryland, College Park. Institute for Physical Science and Technology

Member.

Resources

Published Resources

Author

Ellen Williams, Chair, U.S. National Research Council Committee, Report on the CTBT