Sciences and Exploration Directorate

Ronald S Gamble

(VISITING ASST RESEARCH SCI)

Ronald S Gamble's Contact Card & Information.
Email: ronald.s.gamble@nasa.gov
Phone: 301.286.1111
Org Code: 660
Address:
NASA/GSFC
Mail Code 660
Greenbelt, MD 20771
Employer: UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND AT COLLEGE PARK

Brief Bio


Ronald S. Gamble, Jr, Ph.D. is a Theoretical Astrophysicist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center researching the energy emission processes of relativistic jets from high-energy active galactic nuclei and their connection to Supermassive Black Hole rotations. He is currently a CRESST-II Visiting Assistant Research Scientist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and the University of Maryland—College Park. Accompanying this, Dr. Gamble also has seven years experience in academia as a physics, mathematics, and computational science instructor and curricula developer. His experiences span across multiple industries including higher-education, space & defense, and the Arts.


He received his Ph.D. in Theoretical Astrophysics (2017); M.S. in Condensed Matter Physics (2014) and B.S. Physics (2012) from the North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University. While there he held a Title III HBGI Fellowship, completing the first physics-related dissertation at North Carolina A&T State University pertaining to the emission and propagation of nonlinear tensor-mode gravitational waves from colliding black holes. Dr. Gamble holds professional memberships in the National Society of Black Physicists, the National Society of Hispanic Physicists (2009-2012), and the American Physical Society (FECS, Division of Astrophysics, Division of Gravitational Physics, and the Forum on Diversity & Inclusion). He is frequently sought after by his former students for academic and career advisement and mentoring. His future endeavors involve establishing a network for mentoring undergraduate and graduate students within underrepresented STEM fields. Dr. Gamble is also an established oil/acrylic painter, graphic designer, and illustrator with 15 years of experience.


Education


Ph.D. Computational Science & Engineering: Theoretical Astrophysics (2017), North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, Greensboro, NC

  • Dissertation: "On Gravitational Radiation: Nonlinear Wave Theory in a Viscoelastic Kerr-Lambda Spacetime" Advisor: Dr. Kenneth M. Flurchick

M.S. Condensed Matter Physics (2014), North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, Greensboro, NC

  • Thesis: "A Model Approach to Flux-Pinning Properties of YBa2Cu3O7-δ Thin Film Vortex States via non-Superconducting Impurities", Advisor: Dr. Abebe Kebede

B.S. Physics (2012), North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, Greensboro, NC

Research Interests


Theoretical Astrophysics

Astrophysics: Black Holes

Current Projects


Theory and Modeling of Relativistic Jet Formation in Active Galactic Nuclei

Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN)

Development of theoretical descriptions and models of BZ-type relativistic jet formation in Blazar class active galactic nuclei.

Positions/Employment


CRESST-II Visiting Assistant Research Scientist

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center - Greenbelt, MD

August 2021 - Present

Modeling of Relativistic Jets from Blazars & Black Hole Energy-Momentum Emission Theory.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Efforts.

CRESST-II/University of Maryland, Department of Astronomy. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.


Theoretical/Mathematical Physics - NSRI Postdoctoral Fellow

Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) - Ft. Belvoir, VA

April 2020 - August 2021

National Strategic Research Institute Postdoctoral Fellow, Nuclear Technology Effects-Research & Development Directorate, Defense Threat Reduction Agency Ft. Belvoir, VA


NSF Postdoctoral Research Associate

North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University - Greensboro, NC

January 2018 - August 2019

Postdoctoral Research Associate, NSF IUSE/PFE: RED:A Revolution in Engineering Education Motivated by Needs and Designs, Department of Chemical, Biological, and Bioengineering [supported by NSF grant: 1730497]


Postdoctoral Research Associate

North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University - Greensboro, NC

January 2018 - August 2019

Application of the Ising Model to Magnetically Interacting Nerve Cell Networks

Undergraduate Research Advisor (student: Akosua Johnson), "Simulating Magnetization Spin-Flip of Catecholamine-Type Neurotransmitters via the Ising Model"


Graduate Researcher

North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University - Greensboro, NC

2013 - 2017

On Gravitational Radiation: Nonlinear Wave Theory in a Viscoelastic Kerr-Lambda Spacetime


Graduate Researcher

North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University - Greensboro, NC

January 2015 - August 2015

Investigating Extreme Limits of the Polytrope Model: Questioning the Conservation of Energy-Momentum in the High-mass X-Ray Binary System Cygnus X-3

Awards


  • Heart of Gold Award, A New Day Foundation; 2019 Focused N’F.I.T. For A Different World, Los Angeles, CA (2019)
  • North Carolina A&T State University Historically Black Graduate Institute (HBGI) Doctoral Fellowship (2014-2017)
  • American Institute of Physics Award, Outstanding Poster Presentation, National Society of Black Physicists Annual Conference, Baltimore, MD (2015)
  • Outstanding Graduate Student of the Year, College of Arts & Sciences, North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University (2013 - 2014)

Teaching Experience


Adjunct Professor of Physics, North Carolina A&T State University (Fall 2012-Spring 2020)

  • PHYS345: Introduction to Computational Physics
  • PHYS110/111: Survey of Physics
  • PHYS451: Introduction to Astrophysics (undergraduate/graduate level)
  • PHYS480: Solar Physics
  • PHYS280: Space Sciences
  • CSE704: Computational Modeling & Visualization (graduate level)

Instructor of Record & Curriculum Developer, North Carolina A&T State University (Fall 2018-Spring 2019)

  • CSE704: Computational Modeling & Visualization (graduate level)
  • CSE804: Advanced Scientific Visualization (graduate level)
  • BMEN320: Engineering Analysis of Human Physiological Systems
  • BMEN252: Bio-Energy Interactions Lab
  • BMEN225: Biophysics Design
  • BMEN132: Analytical Applications In Research Design (Calculus II Computational Lab)
  • BMEN231: Geometric Applications In Research Design (Calculus III Computational Lab)

Professional Societies


National Society of Black Physicists

2010 - Present


American Physical Society

2009 - Present


National Society of Hispanic Physicists

2009 - 2012