By PIPER GALLAGHER, Student Reporter
Originally from Sri Lanka, Dr. Rasika Mohottige earned his bachelor’s degree in physics and a master’s degree in the field of condensed metaphysics before he moved to the United States to earn a doctorate in nanophysics and nanoscience at the University of North Dakota. He’s taught at various universities including at Waldorf University in Iowa before moving to Alva.
Q: What sold you on coming to NWOSU?
A: The main thing is this is a state university, so I wanted to be a part of one of the state universities in the United States. That’s the main reason. When I was in Iowa, I didn’t have any classes like the physics minor. Then I found out that here, at Northwestern, there was a physics minor, and I have some opportunities to introduce a physics major. Another reason is Iowa is so cold. I liked the environment and Alva is a small city.
Q: What is one of the first goals you hope to accomplish here?
A: I have a couple of goals. The first, right now we don’t offer a quantum mechanics class, so I’m talking with the department chair to offer a quantum mechanics class. That is my first goal.
Then my second goal, once we settle with all of the physics minor classes, I want to start a physics major here. The main reason is I like to do some research.
And the next thing I want to start is a nanoscience lab. That is not easy because to start a nanoscience lab, we need money. Right now, I’m preparing some grants and proposals to find some money to buy instruments.
Q: What is your favorite class to teach and why?
A: I’m teaching a classical mechanics class, and I like the class for various reasons. I can share my expertise with my students and show them how to use mathematics to express laws of physics. I want to show them the relationship between mathematics and physics, and then they can understand that mathematics is the language of physics.
Q: What is your “superpower”?
A: I am a research-oriented guy. I like to do research, and at the same time I like teaching too.
Q: What is something most people don’t know about you?
A: Most people don’t know I’m a good cricketer. I was a professional cricketer in Sri Lanka, and still, I play cricket. Cricket is a big part of my life. I love cricket. When I was in Iowa, every weekend, I drove up and down five hours, just for a game.