March 22, 2023
The Department of Physics at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University is excited to welcome new staff member Dr Andrew James Fowlie. Having him on board, the School can further improve the teaching quality, expand the faculty capacity, and provide an excellent education for our programmes.
Dr Andrew James Fowlie
Assistant Professor
Modules taught
PHY002 (Physics)
CAREER
Since completed Ph.D. in the University of Sheffield in 2013, Dr Fowlie worked as Post-doctoral Researcher at Monash University and Keemilise ja Bioloogilise Füüsika Instituut (KBFI) from 2014 to 2018. Before joining XJTLU, he worked as an Associate Professor at Nanjing Normal University (NNU) for three years and was awarded the Chinese Young Scientist Fund in 2019 and 2022.
Research interests
In Dr Fowlie ‘s research, he studies particle physics, particularly theories beyond the Standard Model, including dark matter and solutions to the hierarchy problem. His work often involves developing or applying new statistical methods to test theories against data.
“Particle physics is the study of the smallest fundamental particles that make up all of matter. Beyond the particles that make up everyday matter, there's stuff that can be created at higher energy. Right now there we have a fairly good description of particles and forces up to moderately high energies that can be probed experimentally. But there are a few puzzles, and it's important to study what the fundamental particles really are and why they behave the way they do.”
Dr Fowlie is also interested in the hierarchy problem which is one problem in high-energy physics and theoretical physics and dark matter.
Reasons to join XJTLU
“I think everything is much more open to me that I can understand and participate in XJTLU. The atmosphere here is quite kind and considerate. It is friendly for me to plan for research teaching and conducting high-standard education.”
Dr Fowlie believes the research-led positioning of the university which appealing him the most, which is a good opportunity to establish himself and do research with XJTLU’s strong support.
Advice for students
Besides being perseverant, and disciplined, these qualities matter, specifically to physics. Dr Fowlie suggests students that spend time thinking and working on why they are difficult when they meet confusing issues.
“I always like to understand the phenomenon of problem, in the most minimal way to figure out the possible example.”
By Qinru Liu
March 22, 2023