Nature provides content for teaching and students questions for research. My job is to observe one and listen to the others to help create a link for the next cycle of intellectual progress.
An expert in the field of experimental condensed matter physics, Oscar Bernal studies and analyzes electronic states of matter found in superconductors and quantum magnets. He has authored and coauthored 63 peer reviewed publications in these areas of study.
Bernal is principal investigator for the Cal State LA and Penn State Partnership for Research in Education and Materials. The program is funded by the National Science Foundation, which supports cutting-edge research in materials science and the participation of underrepresented groups in the field.
At Cal State LA, Bernal has served as associate chair, acting chair and chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Additionally, he spent a year conducting research and scholarly work in Switzerland, Japan, and Florida.