Dr. Rowan Thomson ( She/Her )

Co-Director and Physics Professor at Carleton University

Dr. Rowan Thomson is a Professor in the Department of Physics at Carleton University and Associate Dean (EDI: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) in the Faculty of Science. She completed a BSc Double Honours in Mathematics and Physics at Carleton, followed by a PhD in theoretical high-energy physics (Superstring Theory) at the Perimeter Institute and University of Waterloo, where she received the prestigious Pearson Medal.

Since joining Carleton as faculty in 2010, Dr. Thomson has shifted her focus to medical physics, advancing research that bridges fundamental theory with practical healthcare applications. Her contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including Ontario’s Polanyi Prize in Physics (2011), a Canada Research Chair (2013, renewed 2019), the Ontario Early Researcher Award (2015), Fellowship in the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (2020), and membership in the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars (2022).

In her EDI leadership role, Dr. Thomson champions inclusive STEM environments, aligning directly with EDIT-STEM’s goals of accessible, equitable learning technologies. Her interdisciplinary expertise strengthens collaborative efforts to develop innovative tools that make complex physics concepts engaging for diverse learners.