Associate Professor
Mansfield University
76 Stadium Drive
Grant Sciences
Mansfield, Pennsylvania 16933
Email: efarkas@mansfield.edu
Phone: 570-662-4754

Research Disciplines:

• Chemistry
• Physical Science
• Water Quality

Research Interests:

biophysics, spectroscopy, microscopy, optics, modeling

View Elaine's CV

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Biographical Sketch

I am an associate professor at Mansfield University, where I teach physics and an occasional chemistry course. I have a broad background in both chemistry and physics, and specialize in using optical methods to investigate biophysical phenomena. I am currently researching tardigrades, and the effects of micro- and nano-plastic particles on a variety of different organisms, in collaboration with colleagues in the Biology Department.

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Education

• Ph.D.: Cornell University (Physics, advisor: Dr. Watt Webb)
• B.S.: University of Florida (Chemistry)
• B.S.: University of Florida (Physics)

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Other Research

I am currently researching tardigrades, the effects of micro- and nano-plastic particles on a variety of different organisms (tardigrades, mice, and plants), and the nanoscale properties of fish scales, in collaboration with colleagues in the Biology Department. My current research employs atomic force microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy.

My graduate and post-doctoral research focused on using nonlinear optical techniques to probe the thermodynamic behavior of cell membranes, and on autofluorescence as a histological tool in mouse models of liver disease.

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