He has previously served as the chair of Department of Physics and Astronomy and prior to that, the chair of the Department of Mathematics at the U.

In addition to overseeing these departments, Trapa has also been involved in the Wilkes Center for Climate Science and Policy and is the founder of the Science Research Imitative. He talks about the college, their programs and amazing opportunities for students.

Here he talks with KPCW's Cool Science Radio co-hosts Lynn Ware Peek and Kate Mullaly on how STEM disciplines in the College of Science and beyond have elevated the state's flagship university into a national reputation for in science and technology education.