Education

Current
PhD, Quantum and Particle Physics
Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore, MD
  • Graduate Certificate in Risk Sciences and Public Policy (in progress)
2024
BS, Astrophysics
UNC Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, NC
  • Highest Honors and Highest Distinction

Research Experience

2024–Current
Graduate Researcher
Sushkov Lab | Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore, MD
  • Perform solid-state NMR on macroscopic spin ensembles in search for dark matter (CASPEr) and gravitational waves.
  • Utilize superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) for high-precision magnetometry inside a dilution refrigerator.
  • Develop computational infrastructure in MATLAB for NMR, axion, and gravitational wave analysis from superconducting resonant circuits at mK temperatures.
2022–2024
Undergraduate Researcher
Experimental Nuclear and Astroparticle Physics | UNC Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, NC
  • Studied surface response of high-purity germanium detectors, aimed at neutrinoless double beta decay.
  • Simulated detector events and optimized cryogenic detection to collect data and develop an analysis pipeline.
  • Authored and defended a thesis for the highest honors degree designation.
2023
Visiting Researcher
Academia Sinica · Taipei, Taiwan
  • Improved the upcoming J-PARC experiment by quantifying detector performance and proposing upgrades with ROOT and C++.
  • Designed a coincidence circuit trigger to assess detection efficiency.
2022
PIRE-GEMADARC Researcher
Queens University · Kingston, Ontario, Canada
  • Fabricated and characterized high purity semiconductor detectors for high-energy and particle physics rare event observation.
  • Performed zone refining, crystal-growth purification, and various reshaping techniques.

Professional Experience

2026–Current
Advocacy Champion
American Physical Society
  • Program awarded to support APS members with exceptional advocacy potential in advancing the policy priorities of the physics community by building meaningful and lasting relationships with members of Congress and their staff.
2026–Current
Student Ambassador
American Physical Society
  • A prestigious student leadership opportunity for selected APS members to strengthen the physics community on their campuses and serve as a bridge between students and APS.
2025–Current
Outreach Specialist
Cosmic Coda
  • Work directly with the filmmaker of the documentary Cosmic Coda to coordinate educational and community viewing opportunities.
2023–2024
Intern, Summer Program Coordination
WINSPIRE Organization · Chapel Hill, NC
2022–2024
Trash Force
UNC Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, NC
  • Coordinated events, presentations, and service/volunteer opportunities for the UNC and surrounding Chapel Hill community.
  • Picked up over 600 pounds of trash and raised nearly $1,000 from funding partners.
  • Grew membership from 3 founding members to over 120 active members at multiple schools.

Service

Current
External
2024–Current
Johns Hopkins University | Institutional Service
  • President, Science Policy and Diplomacy Group
  • Departmental Representative, Graduate Representative Organization
  • Outreach Coordinator, Physics and Astronomy Graduate Students
  • Colloqiuium Graduate Rep, Department of Physics & Astronomy
2020–2024
UNC Chapel Hill | Institutional Service
  • Vice Chair, Strategic Planning Committee, UNC Student Government Senior Officers
  • Community Outreach Liaison, Society of Physics Students
  • Seminar Committee Member, Society of Physics Students
  • Mentor and Grader, Carolina Science Olympiad

Teaching Experience

Current
Curriculum Developer and Script Writer
Various YouTube Channels
  • Accumulated over 230,000 views on 10+ videos.
2025
PY 211: Mechanics, Energy, and Thermodynamics
Boston University Department of Physics · Boston, MA
2024
PY 212: Electricity and Magnetism
Boston University Department of Physics · Boston, MA
2024
PHYS 119: Electromagnetism and Quanta
UNC Department of Physics and Astronomy · Chapel Hill, NC
2021
MATH 232: Calculus II
UNC Department of Mathematics · Chapel Hill, NC
2020
Tutor
Central Carolina Community College

Academic Articles

Science
Est. 2027
Quantum-limited search for the axion gradient interaction
Manuscript in preparation
  • Declan W. Smith, Andrew J. Winter, Stephen E. Kuenster, Andrew H. Mattson, Tanja Maric, Eren Ozdemir, Alexander O. Sushkov
Est. 2027
Search for the axion gluon interaction with lead-titanate
Manuscript in preparation
  • Andrew J. Winter, Declan W. Smith, Stephen E. Kuenster, Andrew H. Mattson, Tanja Maric, Eren Ozdemir, Alexander O. Sushkov
2024
Simulations and Testing of a Rapid Surface Characterization Scanner for the LEGEND ExperimentFirst author
Carolina Digital Repository
  • Andrew H. Mattson, Reyco Henning
Policy & Outreach
2026
Bridging the trust gap: a vaccine communication course designed to train early-career researchers as effective vaccine communicators
Journal of Science Policy and Governance
  • Rebecca C. Blyn, Erin E. Cullinane, Cael Dant, Priyam Joshim, Breelyn Karno, Hannah Kinzer, Maria A. Maltepes, Andrew H. Mattson, Maya A. Singh, Emily Yemington
2026
Science communication and public engagement training as a required component of STEM graduate education
Accepted at the ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science
  • Rose M. Albert*, Brendon E. M. Davis*, Miles J. Arnett, Abhilasha Bellapu, Rebecca C. Blyn, Dimitris Boufidis, Cael Dant, Isako Di Tomassi, Kassandra Fernandez, Amanda Finn, JP Flores, Stacy Godfreey-Igwe, Shaurita D. Hutchins, Priyam Joshi, Hannah Kubinski, Andrew H. Mattson, Clare F. McCann, Erin Morrow, Anna Rader Groves, David Ramotowski, Alex Rich, Emily K. Selland

Non-Academic Articles

2026
The History of Science Funding Reveals the Dangers of Political Oversight
Science Politics
  • Forthcoming publication in August
  • Olivia Asher, Andrew Mattson, Daniel Affsprung
2026
The Past Is Our Present: A History of America’s Complicated Relationship with Science
Science Policy in a SNAP
  • Andrew Mattson, Shreya Venkatesh, Daniel Affsprung
2026
General Assembly: It’s Time to Rein In the Data Center Industry
Baltimore Business Journal
  • Co-written with Andrew S. Eneim

Invited Talks & Presentations

2024
Simulations and Testing of a LEGEND Surface Characterization Scanner
UNC Spring Research Symposium · Chapel Hill, NC
2023
Analysis of Monte Carlo Simulations for the J-PARC E50 Mu-ID Detector Extension
Joint Meeting of the APS Division of Nuclear Physics & Physical Society of Japan · Waikoloa, Hawaii
2022
Constructing an RTL-SDR Based Electromagnetic Interference Monitor
UNC Chapel Hill Departmental Seminar · Chapel Hill, NC
2022
Review of NSF PIRE-GEMADARC Award
PIRE-GEMADARC Collaboration Meeting · Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Features & Interviews

2024–Current
Graduate
2020–2024
Undergraduate

Awards & Accolades

2024–Current
Graduate
  • APS Advocacy Champion (2026)
  • APS Public Engagement Scholarship (2026)
2020–2024
Undergraduate
  • Paul E. Shearin Outstanding Senior Award in Physics (2024)
  • Robert N. Shelton Award for Outstanding Research (2024)
  • Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha of North Carolina (2023)
  • APS Division of Nuclear Physics CEU Travel Award (2023)
  • PIRE-GEMADARC Summer Research Scholar (2022)
  • Dean's List (every semester)

Training & Certifications

Upcoming 2026
Sigma Xi Science Policy Boot Camp
2026
APS Public Engagement Summer School
2026
Gravitational Wave Data Analysis Workshop
2025
Quantum Sensing and Precision Measurement Summer School
2022, 2023
PIRE-GEMADARC Rare Event Physics Summer School