Division of Science & Technology

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Dr. Michael J. Cavagnero joined CSI as Dean of the Division of Science & Technology in August of 2019. A theoretical physicist, Dr. Cavagnero specializes in the principles of quantum mechanics and in the analysis of atomic, molecular and optical phenomena. During his 30-year tenure on the faculty of the University of Kentucky, he taught a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate courses, mentored junior researchers supported through federal grants, and provided advisory and leadership services to his community, the University and his professional society.

Dr. Cavagnero served two terms as Chairperson of the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Kentucky during which time the Department grew in faculty size, expanded its extramural research support, revised and updated its curricula, substantially increased the number of undergraduate and graduate students, renovated research labs and classrooms, built a new student observatory, and garnered substantial resources through development efforts.

In January of 2016, Dr. Cavagnero was contracted to direct the Atomic, Molecular and Optical Theory Program of the National Science Foundation (NSF). His service to the Foundation grew to include responsibilities for the Quantum Information Science Program and to the Graduate Research Fellowship Program. In May of 2019, he received an NSF Director’s Award for superior accomplishment and outstanding leadership in the Quantum Leap, devoted to next generation sensing, modeling and computing.

A first-generation college student, Dr. Cavagnero received a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Connecticut in 1981. He received a Master of Science degree in 1983 and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1987, both from the University of Chicago. He then held Research Associate appointments at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and at The University of Colorado-Boulder before moving to the University of Kentucky in 1990. He held a Visiting Scientist appointment to the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics while on sabbatical leave in 1997-1998. In 2000, Dr. Cavagnero was elected to Fellowship in the American Physical Society for his research contributions.

When not teaching or studying science, or working to advance higher education, Dr. Cavagnero enjoys cooking, bicycling, reading, and travelling with his wife, Violet.