Kevin Peter Hickerson
PHYSICIST | INVENTOR | COMEDIAN
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Email:
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Location:
Claremont, California
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KPH
Nuclear physicist specializing in probing the fundamental symmetries of nature using ultracold neutrons.
Bachelors, masters, and doctorate in experimental physics from the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California.
Host of the science and comedy podcast Surely You're Joking.
A dozen patents in 3D printing, robotics, tablet computing, machine learning, optics, and solar energy.
Father of three amazing children.
EXPERIENCE
2005—2016
Nuclear Physicist
CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Advised by Professor Bradley Filippone.
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
Advised by Professor Huan Huang
Advised by Assistant Professor Lindley Winslow
LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY
Mentored by Doctor Alexander Saunders
2005—2018
Consultant
2003—2005
Developer and Engineer
IDEALAB
Worked with incubated operational companies eSolar, Evolution Robotics, Desktop Factory, and Energy Innovations, to develop innovative software, mechanical and optical technologies.
Authored patents used by GE, 3D Systems, and iRobot.
2003
Internship
EVOLUTION ROBOTICS
Developed and patented a laser-based robotic obstacle avoidance system now owned by iRobot.
2002—2003
Teaching Assistant
CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Assisted with lectures by Professor David Goodstein.
2001
Lead Developer
NOTEPAD COMPUTING
Led team developing handwriting recognition software.
1999—2001
Founder and President
INVECTOR TECHNOLOGIES
Developed proprietary algorithms, tablet computer hardware, and startup business plan using Hidden Markov Models and other
natural language models for handwritten symbol recognition.
Licensed patented technology to Notepad Computing.
1998—2000
Undergraduate Assistant
CALTECH SUBMILLIMETER OBSERVATORY
Developed software and hardware for submillimeter telescope heterodyne receiver control.
EDUCATION
2012—2016
Postdoctoral Scholar
CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Advised by Professor Bradley Filippone.
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
Advised by Professor Huan Huang
and Assistant Professor Lindley Winslow.
2005—2013
Doctor of Philosophy
CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Advised by Professor Bradley Filippone.
2013
Master of Science
CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Advised by Professor Bradley Filippone.
2007
Graduate Researcher
LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY
Mentored by Doctor Alexander Saunders
1995—2002
Bachelor of Science
CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Advised by Professor E. Sterl Phinney
PROJECTS
ABOUT
NUCLEAR PHYSICIST
I study ultracold neutrons, which are tiny atomic particles only a fraction of a degree above absolute zero. We use them to understand when and why the universe is symmetric. This is to help explain how we got here, and how far we can go.
INVENTOR
I love creating new things. I've patented inventions from tablet computer chips to 3D printers, optics, to robotics, AI and solar energy. Some of my patents are used by GE, iRobot, and 3D Systems.
COMEDIAN
I love to perform. In addition to science talks about my 'real' work, I am a stand up comedian. I've performed at comedy clubs all over the country. I like to mix it around too and give fun, and entertaining talks about popular science topics. I host the podcast Surely You're Joking.