From WPI Interim Dean of Arts & Sciences Craig Wills:
It is my pleasure to announce that the new head of WPI’s Department of Physics (PH) is Lyubov Titova, an accomplished scholar and teacher who leads the Ultrafast THz and Optical Spectroscopy Lab at WPI. Lyubov’s term as department head, which begins July 1, 2026, follows that of Doug Petkie, who has led PH since 2016.
Lyubov earned her bachelor’s degree in physics from Precarpathian University, Ukraine in 1998, followed by her master’s and PhD degrees in physics from the University of Notre Dame in 2002 and 2005, respectively. She joined WPI in July 2014 as an assistant professor after previously serving as a research associate in the Ultrafast Nanotools Laboratory at the University of Alberta, Canada. At WPI, she was tenured and promoted to associate professor in July 2019 and promoted to full professor in July 2024. She leads the Ultrafast THz and Optical Spectroscopy Lab at WPI, focusing on light–matter interactions in emerging functional materials. Her work centers on nanomaterials, including two-dimensional (2D) materials such as MXenes, MXene–biopolymer composites, and layered semiconductors. Using ultrafast optical techniques, her group studies how nanoscale structure and interfaces influence how these materials conduct electricity and respond to light and heat. Her research involves interdisciplinary collaborations across WPI and beyond, with connections to engineering, chemistry, and industry, supporting applications in photonics, flexible electronics, and biointegrated systems. She is also a member of WPI Energy Research Group.
Lyubov has taught a range of graduate and undergraduate physics courses at WPI and advised a steady stream of Major Qualifying Projects. Her research has been supported by more than 20 awards during her time at WPI, including an NSF CAREER award, with other funding from the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, Department of the Army, the Gapontsev Family Collaborative Venture Fund, and the WPI Women’s Impact Network. She has supervised many PhD and MS students, been issued a patent, and authored over 75 peer-reviewed journal publications. She was recognized for her scholarship with the WPI Board of Trustees' Award for Outstanding Research & Creative Scholarship in 2025.
In addition to serving on many departmental committees, Lyubov was elected member of the Committee on Academic Operations and is currently an elected member of Committee on Tenure and Academic Freedom.
Please join me in welcoming Lyubov to this new role and thanking Doug for his years of service.
Craig Wills
Interim Dean of Arts & Sciences
People
