Department of Physics & AstronomyMichael Allen

Michael Allen

  1. Professor, Career track
Email Addressmlfa@wsu.edu
Location1246 Webster Physical Sciences Building
Phone509-335-1279

Biography

Research Interests

Michael Allen is an observational astronomer. He is a member of two robotic telescope networks: Skynet, and Las Cumbres Observatory. His research is three-pronged. (1) He observes variable stars in the visible and infrared to test the relationship between period, luminosity, and heavy element content. (2) He writes and tests curriculum related to robotic telescopes, student content knowledge, and student self-efficacy in STEM disciplines. (3) He is broadly interested in the connection between supernova explosions and the interstellar medium with respect to the production of high energy cosmic rays.

Visit the Astro-imaging website.

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Education

  • PhD Astronomy 1999, University of Toronto
  • MS Astronomy 1993, University of Toronto
  • BS Physics 1992, McMaster University

Awards & Recognition

  • 2025 Nancy Liu Yang Award for Excellence in Teaching International Students, International Programs, WSU
  • 2022 Excellence in Assessment, Office of the Provost, WSU
  • 2022 Excellence in Advising Award, College of Arts & Sciences, WSU
  • 2016 Excellence in Teaching Award, College of Arts & Sciences, WSU
  • 2013 Distinguished Lecturer, Honors Student Advisory Council, WSU
  • 2011 Excellence in Advising Award, College of Sciences, WSU

Selected Publications

Google scholar (link)

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** Publications marked with asterisks have undergraduate student authors.

  1. Finding the distance to the RRLyrae star CF Leo, C Mayo, and ML Allen. JAAVSO, v53, 2025. (link) **
  2. Distance to AA Leo using ground-based photometry and period-luminosity-metallicity relation. J Lewis, and ML Allen. JAAVSO, v53, 2025. (link) **
  3. The Multiwavelength Universe. J Keohane et al. (ML Allen). Open education resource. (link)
  4. The Moon. What is it made of? Where did it come from? ML Allen. National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science. NSTA. (link)
  5. Farming in Space. Developing a Sustainable Food Supply on Mars. HS Joiner, and ML Allen. National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science. NSTA. (link)