ANGELA KELLY
Professor
Physics and Astronomy
angela.kelly@stonybrook.edu | (631)-632-8168, Physics A-141B | (631)-632-7075, Life Sciences 001
Research Group Website | Curriculum Vitae. (Last updated: 2026 Feb 19)

Biography
Angela Kelly is a Professor of Physics and STEM Education at Stony Brook University. Her roles include teaching and advising students in the Ph.D. Program in STEM Education, directing the M.A.T. Physics Program, and teaching undergraduate physics. She completed her Ph.D. in Science Education (2006) at Teachers College, Columbia University, New York. She is the recipient of the Outstanding Referee Award from Physical Review Journals (2025); the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching (2015-2016); the Provost’s Faculty Recognition Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Research from Lehman College, City University of New York (2010); and the Outstanding Teaching Award from Teachers College, Columbia University (2006). She joined Stony Brook in 2011.

 

Research Statement
My research is focused on quantum information science and technology (QIST) education, equity in precollege and university physical science and engineering education, reformed teaching practices in undergraduate science, and sociocognitive influences on STEM access and participation. Recent innovative work in precollege QIST teaching and learning, in collaboration with Tzu-Chieh Wei and Dominik Schneble, has involved 800 middle and high school students and 130 teachers in outreach programs at Stony Brook and New York Hall of Science. We also hosted an International Year of Quantum Educational Leadership Conference in 2025 that attracted 150 K-12 school district and university leaders. I chaired the Education and Workforce Development Working Group for the commissioned report, SUNY STRIVE (STrategic Research InVEstment): Strengthening and Accelerating Quantum Information Science and Technology in New York State (2026). This ongoing work is designed to strengthen QIST workforce development by engaging students early in the STEM academic pipeline.

MAT Physics
I serve as the Director of Stony Brook’s MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching) Program in Physics, which consistently ranks as one of the top producers of physics teachers in the United States. In 2023, Stony Brook was the recipient of PhysTEC’s 5+ Award in recognition of its nine physics teacher graduates, which placed us in the top five U.S. institutions.

 

Current NSF-Funded Projects
Dr. Kelly currently serves as PI or co-PI on $1.8M in National Science Foundation (NSF) funded initiatives to promote equity in precollege QIST outreach and undergraduate physics laboratory learning.

 

NSF DRL 2148467  QuEST: Quantum Education for Students and Teachers (2022-27). QuEST advances quantum education, physical science literacy, and the diversity of the STEM pipeline through quantum science and quantum computing learning opportunities for precollege students (grades 8-12) and secondary science teachers in New York City and Long Island. This project is relevant to the Department’s mission to advance knowledge in quantum education, particularly in terms of impacts on traditionally underserved populations.

NSF DUE-2142587  Teaching and Learning in Online Laboratories in Physics (2023-26). This project aims to serve the national interest by improving teaching and learning in online laboratory environments in college physics courses. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many colleges and universities were forced to move traditionally face-to-face classes and labs to online formats. Because many typical lab experiences involve hands-on interaction with equipment, as well as demonstrations and close supervision by instructors, it is challenging to create online variations that teach the same concepts and skills and that meet individual students' needs. It is important for educators to understand whether remote laboratory experiences are equitable, rigorous, comprehensive, and responsive to students' individual learning and social needs.