After research at the Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, and at MIT, Robert Lowndes joined the Physics Department at Northeastern University in 1968. His research involved high-pressure and low-temperature far-infrared, laser Raman and dielectric studies to measure anharmonic self-energies of lattice vibrations in ionic and ferroelectric materials. It also involved studies of lunar materials from the Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15 moon landing missions.
In 1981, he began a number of administrative positions including serving as Chair of the Department of Physics (1981-87), Dean of the (then) College of Arts and Sciences (1987-88 and 1990-98), Interim Provost (1988-90), and Vice Provost for Global Affairs (2007-2014). As Chair, he established the new field of biological physics in the Department. As Dean, he established new doctoral programs in the humanities and social sciences, and the first study abroad programs in some forty countries to lay the foundation for the current globalization of the University. As Interim Provost he established a return of overhead research funds to Faculty, Departments and Colleges, a minority faculty hiring program, and new international programs. As Vice Provost he established new international research and academic collaborations.
In The News
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The untold story of how two Northeastern professors analyzed moon rocks for NASA a half-century ago
The rocks were billions of years old. But they were new to the Earth. They were sent by NASA in 1972 via special delivery to Robert Lowndes and Clive Perry, physics professors at Northeastern University, who opened the boxes in their secured labs in the basement of Dana Hall. “It was very exciting,” Lowndes says. […]