Noah Prentice Mitchell

Current Appointment

K99 / HHWF Fellow, Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics & University of California Santa Barbara

  Mentors: Sebastian Streichan, Boris Shraiman, Zvonimir Dogic

 

Education

2018 Ph.D. University of Chicago, Physics

  Advisor: William T. M. Irvine

  Fracture, topological metamaterials, nanoparticle mechanics, turbulent flows

  (experiments, simulations, and modeling)

2013 M.S. University of Chicago, Physics

2011-2012 Univeristy of Minnesota, undergraduate research assistant

  Mentor: Evan Skillman. Star formation in dwarf galaxies, flows in dwarf galaxies

2012 B.A. St. Olaf College, Physics, summa cum laude, with distinction

Mentor: David Nitz. Atomic spectroscopy of neutral Cerium

Awards

K99/R00 Award, NIH NICHD 2023
Helen Hay Whitney Foundation Fellow 2020-2023
Otis Williams Postdoctoral Fellow 2019-2020 
Springer Thesis Award 2019
Yodh Prize, University of Chicago, 2017, top experimental physicist
Robert A. Millikan Fellow, University of Chicago, 2015-16
Robert G. Sachs Fellow, University of Chicago, 2013
McCormick Fellow, University of Chicago, 2012-14
Wentzel Teaching Prize, University of Chicago, 2013
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (Honorable Mention), 2013
David B. Fossan Endowed Scholar, 2011-12, for excellence in Physics
Buntrock Regent Scholar, 2008-2012, top academic scholarship
National Merit Scholarship, 2008-2012

Publications

Biology/biophysics/condensed matter
[19] N. P. Mitchell*, M. F. Levebvre*, V. Jain-Sharma*, N. Claussen, M. K. Raich, H. J. Gustafson, A. R. Bausch, S. J. Streichan. “Morphodynamic atlas of Drosophila development.” [under review] [biorxiv]
[18] N. P. Mitchell*, D. J. Cislo*. “TubULAR: Tracking in toto deformations of dynamic tissues via constrained maps.” [in revisions] [biorxiv]
[17] A. M. Gabbert, J. A. Mondo, J. P. Campanale, N. P. Mitchell, A. Myers, S. J. Streichan, N. Miolane, D. J. Montell, “Septins regulate border cell shape and surface geometry downstream of Rho.” [in revisions] [biorxiv]
[16] M. F. Lefebvre*, N. H. Claussen*, N. P. Mitchell, H. J. Gustafson, S. J Streichan, “Geometric control of Myosin-II orientation during axis elongation.” eLife 12:e78787 (2023) [biorxiv, Full text]
[15] T. Matsuzawa, N. P. Mitchell, S.  Perrard, W. T. M. Irvine. “Creation of an isolated turbulent blob fed by vortex rings.” Nature Physics (2023) [arxiv, Full text]
[14] N. P. Mitchell, D. J. Cislo, S. Shankar, Y. Lin, B. I. Shraiman, S. J. Streichan, “Visceral organ morphogenesis via calcium-patterned muscle contractions.” eLife 11:e77355 (2022) [Full text]
     – Featured in: Devenport, D. “Gut development: a squash and a squeeze.” eLife Insights 11:e80416 (2022) [link].
[13] A. Khanra, L. L. Jia, N. P. Mitchell, A. Balchunas, R. A. Pelcovits, T. R. Powers, Z. Dogic, P. Sharma. “Controlling the shape and topology of two-component colloidal membranes.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 119 (32) e2204453119 (2022) [arxiv, Full text]
[12] B. Lemma, N. P. Mitchell, R. Subramanian, D. J. Needleman, Z. Dogic. “Active microphase separation in mixtures of microtubules and tip-accumulating molecular motors.” Physical Review X Phys. Rev. X 12, 031006 (2022) [Full text, arxiv]
[11] N. P. Mitchell, A. M. Turner, and W. T. M. Irvine, “Real-space origin of topological band gaps, localization, and re-entrant phase transitions in gyroscopic metamaterials.” Physical Review E, 104, 025007 (2021) [Full text, arxiv]
[10] N. P. Mitchell, Geometric Control of Fracture and Topological Metamaterials. Springer Nature (2020) [Full text]
[9]  N. P. Mitchell*, R. Carey*, J. Hannah, Y. Wang, M. Cortes Ruiz, S. McBride, H. Jaeger. “Conforming nanoparticle sheets to surfaces with Gaussian curvature.” Soft Matter, 14, 9107 – 9117 (2018) [Full text, arxiv]
[8]  N. P. Mitchell, L. M. Nash, A. M. Turner, W. T. M. Irvine. “Tunable band topology in gyroscopic lattices.” Physical Review B 98, 174301 (2018) [Full text, arxiv]
     – Featured in: Middleton, C. “Topological insulators: from graphene to gyroscopes.” Physics Today 10.1063/pt.6.3.20181127a (2018)
[7]  N. P. Mitchell, L. M. Nash, W. T. M. Irvine. “Realization of a topological phase transition in gyroscopic lattices.” Physical Review B Rapid 97, 100302(R) (2018) [Full text, arxiv]
     – Featured in: Middleton, C. “Topological insulators: from graphene to gyroscopes.” Physics Today 10.1063/pt.6.3.20181127a (2018)
[6]  N. P. Mitchell, L. M. Nash, D. Hexner, A. M. Turner, W. T. M. Irvine. “Amorphous topological insulators constructed from random point sets.” Nature Physics 14, 380–385 (2018) [Full text, arxiv]
     – Featured in: Middleton, C. “Topological insulators: from graphene to gyroscopes.” Physics Today 10.1063/pt.6.3.20181127a (2018). Also featured in: Phys.org, Space Daily, ChemEurope, Science Newsline, Nanowerk Nanotechnology News, AAAS EurekAlert, UChicago News
[5]  N. P. Mitchell, V. Koning, V. Vitelli, W. T. M. Irvine, “Fracture in sheets draped on curved surfaces.” Nature Materials 16, 89-93 (2017) [Full text, arxiv]
     – Featured in: K. Kamrin, “Elastic Sheets: Cracks by Design.” Nature Materials 16,8-9 (2017). Also featured in: University of Leiden News.

Astrophysics/atomic physics
[4]  D. E. Nitz, J. Curry, M. Buuck, A. DeMann, N. P. Mitchell, W. Shull, “Transition probabilities of Ce I obtained from Boltzmann analysis of visible and near-infrared emission spectra.” J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. 51 045007 (2018) [Full text]
[3]  K. B. W. McQuinn, E. D. Skillman, T. N. Heilman, N. P. Mitchell, T. Kelley. “Galactic Outflows, Star Formation Histories, and Timescales in Starburst Dwarf Galaxies from STARBIRDS.” Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Volume 477, Issue 3, 3164–3177, (2018) [Full text, arxiv]
[2]  K. B. W. McQuinn, E. D. Skillman, A. E. Dolphin, N. P. Mitchell. “Calibrating UV star formation rates for dwarf galaxies from STARBIRDS.” The Astrophysical Journal 808 109 (2015) [Full text, arxiv]
[1]  K. B. W. McQuinn, N. P. Mitchell, E. D. Skillman. “The Panchromatic Starburst Irregular Dwarf Survey (STARBIRDS): Observations and Data Archive”, The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series 218 29 (2015) [Full text, arxiv]
     – Featured in: J. Hargis.“High Level Science Products: The STARBurst IRregular Dwarf Survey (STARBIRDS).” MAST News, April 2017.

Invited Seminars

  • [upcoming] MBL Lightsheet Microscopy Workshop. May 2023.
  • Invited speaker at American Physical Society March Meeting 2023. March 10, 2023.
  • Cornell University LEPP Seminar. Feb 20, 2023.
  • Northwestern University Engineering Seminar. Feb 16, 2023.
  • University of Michigan Biophysics Seminar. Feb 6, 2023.
  • Carnegie-Mellon University Joint Physics-Biology Seminar. Jan 30, 2023.
  • Cornell University LASSP Seminar. Jan 26, 2023.
  • UChicago MGCB Seminar. Jan 5, 2023.
  • Northwestern Cell & Developmental Biology Seminar. Dec 15, 2022.
  • Caltech Biology & Bioengineering Seminar. Nov 30, 2022
  • Soft Living Active & Adaptive Matter (SLAAM) Seminar. Nov 7, 2022. “How biology uses physics to sculpt an inner organ.”
  • Helen Hay Whitney Foundation Fellowship Meeting. Nov 6, 2022.
  • Developmental Mechanics Seminar. Nov 3, 2022. “Visceral organ morphogenesis via calcium-patterned muscle constrictions.”
  • GSA Drosophila Research Conference. San Diego, CA. April 9, 2022. “Visceral organ morphogenesis via calcium-patterned muscle constrictions.”
  • Princeton/CUNY Physics of Life Symposium. New York, NY. March 25, 2022. “Visceral organ morphogenesis via calcium-patterned muscle constrictions.”
  • BPPB Seminar. Virtual. January 21, 2022. “Visceral organ morphogenesis via calcium-patterned muscle constrictions.”
  • Harvard University WAM Seminar. Cambridge, MA. November 10, 2021. “Visceral organ morphogenesis via calcium-patterned muscle contractions.”
  • UC Santa Barbara MCDB-BMSE Retreat. Santa Barbara, CA. October 23, 2021. “Multi-scale mechanical interactions across layers drive folding morphogenesis in the gut.”
  • GRC Stochastic Physics in Biology. Ventura, CA. October 11, 2021. “Active Folding Via Bilayer Morphogenesis In Vivo.”
  • KITP Big Ideas Public Seminar. Nov 18, 2020. “Physics of form in living matter.”
  • Emory University YEP colloquium. July 7, 2020. “Tissue folding in a developing organ.”
  • University of Washington Mech. Engineering Seminar, WA. August 31, 2018. “Spinning topology in ordered and amorphous metamaterials.”
  • ETH Zürich Physics Dept, Switzerland. April 19, 2018. “Spinning topology in ordered and amorphous metamaterials.”
  • ETH Zürich Materials Dept, Switzerland. April 17, 2018. “Fracture in Sheets Draped on Curved Surfaces.”
  • New York University Center for Soft Matter, NY. April 11, 2018. “Spinning topology in ordered and amorphous metamaterials.”
  • University of California Santa Barbara, ABCZ Seminar, CA. March 29, 2018. “Spinning topology in ordered and amorphous metamaterials.”
  • Cornell University LASSP Seminar, NY. March 22, 2018. “Spinning topology in ordered and amorphous metamaterials.”
  • Syracuse University Dept Physics, NY. March 19, 2018. “Spinning topology in ordered and amorphous metamaterials.”
  • Stanford University Bioengineering Seminar, CA. March 1, 2018. “Spinning topology in ordered and amorphous metamaterials.”
  • JFI Friday Seminar. University of Chicago, IL. August 25, 2017. “Chiral waves from spinning tops: topology without long-range order.”
  • James Franck Institute Friday Seminar. University of Chicago, IL. May 15, 2015. “Guiding Cracks with Geometry.”
  • St. Olaf College Physics Colloquium Series, MN. April 29, 2015. “Guiding Cracks with Geometry.”
  • Soft|Meta Matter Conference. Chicago, IL. September 30, 2014. “Geometrically Frustrated Fracture Mechanics.”

FIRST-AUTHOR CONTRIBUTED TalKS

  • N. P. Mitchell, D. J. Cislo, S. Shankar, Y. Lin, Z. Dogic, B. I. Shraiman, S. J. Streichan, “Multi-scale mechanical interactions across layers drive folding morphogenesis in the gut.” APS March Meeting. Chicago, IL. March 14-18, 2022.
  • N. P. Mitchell, D. J. Cislo, S. Shankar, Y. Lin, B. I. Shraiman, S. J. Streichan. “Multi-scale mechanical interactions across layers drive folding morphogenesis in the gut.” APS March Meeting. Chicago. March 14-18, 2022.
  • N. P. Mitchell, D. J. Cislo, S. Shankar, Z. Dogic, B. I. Shraiman, S. J. Streichan, “Patterned shear flows drive folding during organogenesis.” Virtual APS March Meeting. March 18, 2021.
  • N. P. Mitchell, D. J. Cislo, S. Shankar, Z. Dogic, B. Shraiman, S. Streichan, “Active folding and coiling in vivo.” Virtual APS March Meeting. March 2020.
  • N. P. Mitchell, L. M. Nash, D. Hexner, A. M. Turner, W. T. M. Irvine. “Realization of a Topological Phase Transition in a Gyroscopic Lattice.” APS March Meeting. Los Angeles, CA. March 6, 2018. 
  • N. P. Mitchell, L. M. Nash, D. Hexner, A. M. Turner, W. T. M. Irvine. “Amorphous Topological Insulators Constructed from Random Point Sets.” APS March Meeting. Los Angeles, CA. March 6, 2018.
  • N. P. Mitchell, L. M. Nash, D. Hexner, A. M. Turner, W. T. M. Irvine. “Amorphous Gyroscopic Topological Metamaterials.” APS March Meeting. New Orleans, LA. March 13, 2017.
  • N. P. Mitchell, V. Koning, V. Vitelli, W. T. M. Irvine. “Fracture in Sheets Draped on Curved Surfaces.” APS March Meeting. Baltimore, MD. March 15, 2016.
  • N. P. Mitchell, V. Koning, V. Vitelli, W. T. M. Irvine. “Geometrically Frustrated Fracture Mechanics.” APS March Meeting. San Antonio, TX. March 3, 2015.
  • N. P. Mitchell, V. Koning, V. Vitelli, W. T. M. Irvine. “Fracture on Curved Surfaces.” APS March Meeting 2014. Denver, CO. March 5, 2014.
  • N. P. Mitchell, K. B. W. McQuinn, E. D. Skillman. “UV-derived Star Formation Rates in Nearby Starburst Dwarf Galaxies.” Physics at University of Minnesota Expo. Minneapolis, MN. August 10, 2011.

Poster Presentations

  • N. P. Mitchell, D. J. Cislo, S. Shankar, Y. Lin, B. I. Shraiman, S. J. Streichan. “Multi-scale mechanical interactions across layers drive folding morphogenesis in the gut.” Gordon Research Conference: Stochastic Physics in Biology. Ventura, CA. October 9-15, 2021.
  • N. P. Mitchell, L. M. Nash, D. Hexner, A. M. Turner, W. T. M. Irvine. “Topological phase transitions in ordered and amorphous gyroscopic metamaterials.” Gordon Research Conference: Soft Condensed Matter Physics. New London, NH. Aug 11-16, 2019.
  • N. P. Mitchell, R. L. Carey, J. Hannah, Y. Wang, M. Cortes Ruiz, S. P. McBride, X. Lin, H. M. Jaeger, “Conforming nanoparticle sheets to surfaces with Gaussian curvature.” Gordon Research Seminar & Conference: Complex Active and Adaptive Material Systems. Ventura, CA. January 23 – February 1, 2019.
  • N. P. Mitchell, L. M. Nash, D. Hexner, A. M. Turner, W. T. M. Irvine. “Amorphous Gyroscopic Topological Insulators.” Gordon Research Conference. New London, NH. August 12-18, 2017. Won prize for best poster. Won Winstein Travel Prize to attend.
  • N. P. Mitchell, V. Koning, V. Vitelli, W. T. M. Irvine. “Fracture in Sheets Draped on Curved Surfaces.” – Industry Associates Meeting at the University of Chicago. Chicago, IL. October 27, 2016. – Physics and Mechanics of Soft Complex Materials, Institut d’Études Scientifiques de Cargèse. August 8-20, 2016. Won Winstein Travel Prize to attend.
  • N. P. Mitchell, K. B. W. McQuinn, E. D. Skillman. “UV derived Star Formation Rates and Emission Timescale in Nearby Starburst Dwarf Galaxies.”
    • 79th Annual Meeting of the Minnesota Academy of Science. Northfield, MN. January 21, 2012. 
    • American Astronomical Society Meeting. Austin, TX. January 8-12, 2012.
  • N. P. Mitchell, M. Buuck, D. E. Nitz. “Measurement of Atomic Transition Probabilities for Neutral Cerium.” 
    • St. Olaf Science Symposium. Northfield, MN. May 6, 2011. 
    • Midstates Consortium for Math and Science at Washington University. St. Louis, MO. November 12-14, 2010.

Teaching

Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics, UC Santa Barbara

  • Instructor, Image Analysis for Quantitative Biology, July 24-25, 2019

Department of Physics, UC Santa Barbara

  • Guest Lecturer Introductory Physics (PHYS 6), Dec. 5, 2019. “Resistor Networks & RC Circuits”
  • Guest Lecturer, Advanced Classical Mechanics (PHYS 104), March 6, 2019. “Liouville’s Theorem & Poisson Brackets”

Department of Physics, The University of Chicago

  • Grader Soft Condensed Matter (PHYS 367), Winter 2018
  • T.A.       Experimental Physics (PHYS 211), Autumn 2016
  • T.A.       Electronics (PHYS 226), Spring 2016
  • Grader Advanced Electrodynamics (PHYS 322), Winter 2016
  • T.A.       Advanced Electrodynamics (PHYS 322), Winter 2015
  • T.A.       Experimental Physics (PHYS 211), Spring 2014
  • T.A.       Optics and Waves (PHYS 133), Spring 2013
  • T.A.       Electricity and Magnetism (PHYS 132), Winter 2013
  • T.A.       Mechanics (PHYS 131), Fall 2012

Department of Physics, St. Olaf College

  • Guest Lecturer Statistical Mechanics (PHYS 379), April 29, 2015
  • T.A.       Introductory Astronomy (PHYS 112), Spring 2012
  • T.A.       Principles of Physics I (PHYS 124), Fall 2011
  • Grader Principles of Physics II (PHYS 125), Spring 2010

Students Supervised

  • Yuzheng Lin. Undergraduate researcher [UCSB], 2019-2022. After: Princeton PhD
  • Bezia Lemma. Graduate researcher [Harvard/UCSB], 2019-2021. After: Princeton, Postdoc
  • Isaac Breinyn. Undergraduate researcher [UCSB], 2019-2020. After: Princeton PhD
  • Remington Carey. Masters student [Chicago], 2017-2018. After: Cambridge PhD
  • Jingyang Zheng. REU [UChicago], 2016. After: Cornell PhD
  • Maria Cortes Ruiz. REU [UChicago], 2015. After: scientist at Corning Glass, KTH PhD

Extended Stays

  • Princeton University, Wieschaus Lab, 2019

Workshops

  • Symmetry, Thermodynamics, & Topology in Active Matter. KITP. March-May 2020. Discussion Leader.
  • Gordon Research Seminar & Conference: Soft Condensed Matter Physics. New London, NH. Aug 10-16, 2019. Chair for GRS.
  • Morphogenesis in Animals and Plants: Search for Principles. July 22 – Aug 23, 2019. Instructor.
  • Gordon Research Seminar & Conference: Complex Active and Adaptive Material Systems. Ventura, CA. January 23 – February 1, 2019. Discussion Leader for GRS.
  • Illinois Soft Materials Workshop. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. June 6, 2018.
  • Gordon Research Conference: Soft Condensed Matter, Colby-Sawyer College. New London, NH. August 12-18, 2017.
  • Physics and Mechanics of Soft Complex Materials, Institut d’Études Scientifiques de Cargèse. Cargèse, France. August 8-20, 2016.
  • Topological Matter at H-Zero, Lorenz Center at University of Leiden. May 9-13, 2016.
  • Crafting the Lecture: A Student-Centered Approach, UChicago GRAD. April 14, 2016.
  • Dark Matter Detectors Summer School, KICP and Fermilab. July 2012.

In the News 

  • Topological Metamaterials: picked up by Phys.org, Space Daily, ChemEurope, Science Newsline, Nanowerk Nanotechnology News, AAAS EurekAlert
  • Ken Kamrin, “Elastic Sheets: Cracks by Design.” Nature Materials 16, 8-9 (2017)
  • “Physicists find way to control fractures.” University of Leiden News, October 2016.
  • Hargis, “High Level Science Products: The STARBurst IRregular Dwarf Survey (STARBIRDS).” MAST News, April 2017.

Honor Societies

Phi Beta Kappa 2012
Sigma Pi Sigma (Society of Physics Students’ Honor Society) 2011
National Merit Finalist 2008
National Honor Society 2007

Service & Outreach

  • Reviewer
    • Biophysical Journal, Reviews of Modern Physics, Cells & Development, Soft Matter, Physical Review Letters, Physical Review X, Physical Review E, Physical Review B, Physical Review Research, Physical Review Applied, Nano Letters, New Journal of Physics, Extreme Mechanics Letters, PNAS
  • Chair
    • Symmetries in Morphogenesis KITP Monthly Seminar 2021.
    • Symmetries in Morphogenesis KITP Conference October 21-22, 2020.
    • Gordon Research Seminar: Soft Condensed Matter Physics. Aug 10-11, 2019.
  • Session Chair
    • GRS: Stochastic Physics in Biology. “Information Content in Biology.” Oct 9, 2021.
    • APS March Meeting 2020 (Virtual session). “Morphogenesis & active matter in biological systems.” March 5, 2020.
    • Gordon Research Seminar: Complex Active and Adaptive Material Systems, “Polymers with Personality.” January 26, 2019.
    • APS March Meeting 2014, Session M17: Fracture and Other Problems in Statistical Physics. March 5, 2014.
  • Panelist, Extreme Mechanics Letters Webinar (>7000 in audience). Sept 15, 2021.
  • Group Leader, Expanding Your Horizons symposium for middle-school girls. March 2017.
  • Instructor, Artifice Tech Education Program, Fall 2015 – Spring 2016, weekly. Co-led after-school courses on coding, electronics, and robotics for ages 12-15 at UChicago Woodlawn Charter School.
  • Instructor, NSF Science and Technology Outreach Mentoring Program, Oct. 2014-June 2015, weekly.  STOMP staffs the science component of an after-school program at the North Kenwood Oakland (NKO) and Donoghue elementary schools. We designed and led engaging education science and technology activities for students in 5th grade, ranging from animal dissections to exploring computer architecture.
  • Organizer and Instructor, Bike Physics With A Bang! 2015-2016. Using bicycles as a centerpiece for demonstrating the principles of physics, this program targets underprivileged preteens on Chicago’s South Side. Activities explore energy, angular momentum, pressure, and concepts from materials science. (Four sessions/summer)
  • Exhibitor, The Art of Science, Second Friday Pilsen Art Show. Science-based visual art show
  • Prize Winner, Science Art Show, Feb. 25, 2016. Finalist in competition of science-based art
  • Participant, Interdivisional Science-Art Show, June 4, 2015. Exhibition of science-based art
  • Demonstrator, Physics With A Bang! at University of Chicago, 2012-2017, one day annually. Annual open house for students, families, and teachers. Lab tours offer participation in hands-on activities related to their research.
  • Demonstrator, Young Scholar’s Program, 2013-2016, one day annually. The Young Scholars Program offers mathematically talented seventh through twelfth graders an opportunity to explore mathematics that is not generally taught in schools
  • Demonstrator, Science Night at Lee Elementary, “Fun with Marangoni Flows.” October 2, 2014.
  • Demonstrator, Women in Physics Conference, U. Chicago, January 18, 2014.
  • Science Fair Judge, Harte Elementary School, Nov 6, 2013.
  • Volunteer, Science Club, Andrew Carnegie Elementary School, 2013-2014, monthly.
  • Demonstrator, Science on the Screen at U. Chicago, April 21, 2013.
  • Physics Dept. Mentor to first-year physics majors, 2011-12.
  • Research Assistant preparing the manuscript of The Image in Mind by Prof. Charles Taliaferro (philosophy of science) St. Olaf College: Northfield, MN. Winter 2010.
  • Director of the Nature and Astronomy Center at Many Point Scout Camp, Ponsford, MN, June –August 2009.

References

Sebastian Streichan
Boris Shraiman
Zvonimir Dogic
Eric Wieschaus
William Irvine
Vincenzo Vitelli
Heinrich Jaeger

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