Beyond Phased

A new journey unfolds for retiring faculty

The Physics Department celebrates the remarkable careers of faculty members Mick O’Shea, Chii-Dong Lin, and Brett DePaola, who retired in 2025, and research professor Kevin Carnes, who retired in 2024.

Mick O’Shea, was a distinguished condensed matter physicist, who provided long-standing leadership as our graduate program director. Chii-Dong Lin, an atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) physics theoretician, made significant contributions to the James R. Macdonald Lab (JRML). Brett DePaola, an AMO experimentalist, also served admirably as a former department head. Kevin Carnes, research professor, was also the associate director for operations in the JRML.

Together, they dedicated countless years to shaping the next generation of physicists and pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery. Their commitment has left an indelible mark on their respective fields and on K-State. We are incredibly grateful for their dedication and profound contributions, a few of which are noted below.

Watch for retirement celebrations for Mick, Chii-Dong, and Brett to be held in the coming year.

Mick O’Shea

Joining the department as an assistant professor in 1984, Mick O’Shea leaves behind a legacy of dedicated service and innovative contributions. From 2006 to 2022, he skillfully served as Associate Department Head and Graduate Advisor, guiding countless students. A testament to his broader impact, Mick was also awarded a US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Jefferson Science Fellowship with the U.S. State Department from 2019-2020.

Initially, Mick was an active member of the condensed matter research group, delving into experimental rare-earth and transition metal magnets. What truly set Mick apart, however, was his ability to intertwine his love for outdoor adventure with his teaching and research. This creative synergy resulted in compelling research publications and the creation of an increasingly popular physics course on subjects such as backpacking, canoeing, and hiking. We are thrilled that Mick will continue to teach this online course even in retirement.

In retirement, Mick and his wife, Sharon, look forward to moving to Colorado and dedicating more time to his passion for outdoor adventure.

Chii-Dong Lin

Chii-Dong, who earned his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1974 and completed a postdoc at Harvard, joined K-State as an Assistant Professor in 1976. As the theoretical group leader in the James R. Macdonald Laboratory (JRML), he established a world-renowned AMO theory group. His international peers recognized him as a leader, and he brought immense admiration and respect to the department from the broader scientific community.

With consistent support from the U.S. Department of Energy, Dr. Lin and his group published over 400 articles in refereed journals, along with numerous book chapters. He was a regular invited speaker at international conferences and became exceptionally well-known within the global AMO community. His distinguished career included numerous awards, and he was named a fellow of the American Physical Society in 1985.

Chii-Dong is eager to devote more time in retirement to traveling the world with his wife, Shu Mei.

Brett DePaola

Brett DePaola, who earned his Ph.D. from the University of Texas-Dallas in 1984 and completed a two-year research associate position at JILA, joined the K-State faculty in 1986.

A key highlight of DePaola's teaching career was receiving the 2013 Presidential Teaching Award for his innovative teaching methods in General Physics 1 and 2, which led to a substantial increase in student enrollment. This dedication to education contributed to his selection as a US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Jefferson Science Fellow with the U.S. State Department in 2010-11, for whom he continued to offer consultation for several years following his return to K-State. Other contributions include the development of the “Physics for Policy Makers” and "Physical Measurements and Instrumentation" courses, along with publication of and accompanying textbook for the latter.

Back in Manhattan, Brett served multiple terms as department head. During his leadership, he guided the department through the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19, facilitating the pivot to online learning and work, and then orchestrating a return to a hybrid model as operations resumed normalcy.

A testament to his standing in the scientific community, DePaola is a Fellow of the American Physical Society.

Brett plans to enjoy retirement with his wife, Sue Yi Huang, by visiting family and friends both in the U.S. and abroad. He'll also devote time to his love of sailing, and his affinity for French cuisine while residing for a few months in the French countryside.

Kevin Carnes

Kevin was born and raised in Coffeyville, Kansas, and earned his MS and PhD degrees from Purdue University in 1984. He joined the department as an assistant research professor after graduation in the fall of 1984.

Kevin served as the associate director for operations in the James R. Macdonald Laboratory. His professionalism and dedication to the department and lab were evident as he led the lab through many successful projects and upgrades.

His influence extended beyond JRML as he chaired the physics department computer committee for many years and served as an advocate for research faculty across campus.

Kevin is enjoying traveling with his wife Jan, especially to visit their five grandchildren. In addition he is enjoying time to read and play music.