Charles has taught courses in physics, mathematics, and gender and science at Sauk Valley Community College since 1998. Previous to SVCC, he taught classes in physics, materials science, history of science, astronomy, and electronics at Roosevelt University (Illinois), Elmhurst College (Illinois), Metropolitan State University (Minnesota), Northeast Iowa Community College (Iowa), Normandale Community College (Minnesota), and North Park University (Illinois). He is an avid runner, hiker, and science fiction reader.

Research Employment

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Cytofluorometer consultant developing mutational assays for human lymphoblastoid cell line.

University of Chicago/Neurology Department

Cytofluorometer researcher developing new techniques for the detection of changes in cerebrospinal fluid lymphocytes in neurological diseases.

Northwestern University/Materials Science Department

Research assistant studying nucleation of grain boundary voids formed during high temperature deformation.

Argonne National Laboratory/Metal Physics Group

Staff scientist investigating diffusion in metals and solid electrolytes for application in advanced energy systems.

Aerospace Corporation/Fracture Mechanics Department

Research technician studying the physics of fracture in metals.

Physics International Company/Theoretical-Applied Mechanics Division

Technician utilizing one- and two-dimensional hydrodynamics, plastic-elastic computational codes for numerical simulation of problems in continuum mechanics.

Selected Grants and Awards

American Association of Physics Teachers Bauder Fund Grant (2005)

Funded SVCC science fair day and community science presentations.

Iowa Rural Water Association Grant (1998)

GIS mapping of Iowa water districts.

National Science Foundation; Geographical Information System (GIS) Grants (1996, 1997, 1998)

Training for faculty in application of GIS software and to purchase current GIS software.

Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) and Iowa Housing Corporation Grants (1995, 1996, 1997)

Partnership with Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation and Northeast Iowa Community College to build two, six-plex apartment units for low-income students; awarded Shining Star Project Award by IDED.

Iowa Energy Center Grants (1996, 1997)

Established multi-disciplinary program in energy conservation and geothermal energy.

Interstate Power Company and Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium Grants (1996, 1997)

Funded two nationally-based Geothermal Heat Pump Symposiums.

Interstate Power Company Grant (1996)

Helped establish new college program in arboriculture.

American Forestry Association Grant (1996)

Funded "Project Green Works" for the planting of new trees in communities.

American Institute of Physics Grants (1990, 1991)

Funded travel and interviews for neutrino research.