Professor McIntosh joined UMKC in 2008. His current research efforts focus on addressing major challenges in STEM higher education as it pertains to workforce development.
Prof. McIntosh is an expert in improving the retention, workforce readiness, and persistence to degree completion of STEM-minded students. He has initiated programs and developed strategic frameworks for improving student success in foundational math and science courses, for providing developmentally appropriate undergraduate research and STEM workforce preparation experiences, for providing high-impact early-college experiences that cultivate STEM college degree aspirations and matriculation, and for facilitating faculty excellence toward these urgent needs. Graduate students interested in STEM education and workforce development research should email Prof. McIntosh, directly.
Prof. McIntosh is also an expert on the growth and development of galactic populations over the history of the universe. As a ‘galaxy demographer’, McIntosh has led student researchers at UMKC in studies of why some galaxies stop forming stars, what happens when galaxies come in close proximity to one another and interact gravitationally, and how have galactic populations changed in different cosmic epochs. This work has been conducted with data from some of the most comprehensive surveys of distant galaxies using the Hubble Space Telescope, as well as other multi-wavelength observatories. Undergrad students interested in galaxy research should email Prof. McIntosh, directly.
Awards and Special Appointments
Chair, Dept of Physics & Astronomy (2020-2022)
Director, STEM Education Innovation, Missouri Institute for Defense and Energy (2019-present)
Provost Fellow (2018-2019)
Extraordinary Professor of Physics, University of Western Cape (2017-2020)
Affiliate Director (UMKC), NASA Missouri Space Grant Consortium (2010-2018)
Norman Royall Distinguished Professor (2017-2019)
President’s Award for Innovative Teaching, University of Missouri 4-Campus System (2016)
The Alumni Outstanding Teaching Award, College of Arts and Sciences (2014)
Academic Credentials
Ph.D., University of Arizona
B.Sc., University of California-Los Angeles
Teaching Areas and Curriculum Development
Introductory Astronomy Courses (Motions of the Cosmos, Starlight and Star Stuff)
Advanced Astrophysics Courses (Stellar Astrophysics, Galaxies, Practical Astronomy)
Scientific Research Preparation (Undergraduate Research)
Bachelor of Science: (Physics – Astronomy Emphasis), Minor: (Astronomy)