WEST DES MOINES, IA, July 27, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Athanasios Petridis has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Dr. Petridis has established a distinguished career in particle and nuclear physics, earning recognition for his expertise and contributions to the field. Since 2000, he has served as professor of physics at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. During his tenure, Dr. Petridis served as department chair for six years, a period marked by significant advancements. Under his leadership, the department expanded its curriculum, renovated facilities and experienced increased student enrollment and visibility. This era was characterized by heightened activity and collaboration, resulting in a rewarding environment for faculty and students alike.

Throughout his time at Drake University, Dr. Petridis has been celebrated for both his teaching and research achievements. He is particularly proud of his mentorship, consistently involving students in all research projects and fostering an environment where fundamental questions are explored over extended periods. Among his most notable accomplishments is his collaboration with the PHENIX team at Brookhaven National Laboratory, which led to the discovery of the Quark-Gluon Plasma, published in 2005. His research also includes a theoretical proof demonstrating that quantum mechanics does not support exponential decay, as well as long-term investigations into time-dependent relativistic and non-relativistic quantum mechanics with student collaborators. Recently, Dr. Petridis has seen promising developments in efforts to unify quantum mechanics and relativity—an endeavor he regards as a significant milestone in his career. Space physics remains a popular subject among his students, further highlighting his influence as an educator. He founded and supervised a student collaboration that designed a magnetoinization radiation shield for spacecraft as well as an artificial gravity mechanism.

Before joining Drake University, Dr. Petridis served as a research associate and research scientist at Brookhaven National Laboratory from 1992 to 2000. During this period, he contributed to the Phoenix Experiment, deepening his expertise in experimental and theoretical aspects of particle physics. His work at Brookhaven laid the foundation for many of his subsequent research pursuits.

Dr. Petridis is a past member of the American Physical Society, reflecting his engagement with the broader scientific community and his commitment to advancing the discipline.

His academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in Greece, completed in 1986. He continued his studies at Iowa State University, earning a Doctor of Philosophy in 1992. These academic achievements provided him with a robust foundation for his professional endeavors and enabled him to pursue complex questions within physics. Dr. Petridis credits much of his success to close collaborations with students, emphasizing enduring inquiry over short-term results or publication counts. His approach is rooted in curiosity sparked during childhood—when he designed spaceships with friends and tackled problems such as photon propulsion—an early passion influenced by his father's admiration for science.

Beyond academia, Dr. Petridis has demonstrated civic engagement through involvement with organizations such as the Society of Free Thinkers and philanthropic support for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Doctors Without Borders. His dedication to service complements his professional achievements.

Among his honors is the Windsor Professorship, recognizing excellence in teaching and research.
Born in Alexandria, Dr. Petridis enjoys playing classical guitar, writing poetry and studying philosophy outside of his professional commitments. He is married to Dr. Svetlana Shabalovskaya, a highly regarded physicist recognized for her own scientific contributions.

Looking ahead, Dr. Petridis aims to complete two major research projects: one addressing foundational questions in quantum mechanics and relativity, and another focused on time-dependent quantum mechanics. These projects represent the culmination of years of inquiry and are poised to serve as lasting contributions to the field of physics.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. The suite of Marquis® publications, including Who's Who in America® and Who's Who in the World®, remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the globe. Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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