Robert Thorne

Robert Thorne is a Professor and Stephen H. Weiss Presidential Fellow in the Department of Physics at Cornell University. His research interests include single-particle cryo-electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction studies of biomolecular structure and dynamics, the physics of water, ice, and aqueous glasses, biological cryopreservation, X-ray fluorescence imaging of ancient artifacts, charge-density-wave conductors, and physics education. Thorne has developed innovative teaching methods and materials to enhance physics education and has contributed to the development of curricula and outreach programs. His work has led to several commercial applications, including technologies used by MiTeGen, LLC.

Robert E. Thorne is a Professor of Physics at Cornell University, specializing in condensed matter physics, protein structure, x-ray crystallography, and small angle x-ray scattering. His research focuses on understanding charge-density-wave phenomena in quasi-one-dimensional conductors, the effects of cryoprotectants on protein crystal vitrification, and the structural dynamics of enzymes using XFEL crystallography. Thorne also investigates radiation damage in protein crystals, heat transfer during flash-cooling, and the role of microfabrication in cryocrystallography. His work bridges experimental and theoretical approaches to elucidate the physical properties of materials and biological macromolecules under extreme conditions.