In 2017, Dr. Spieker received the title of Dr. rer. nat. in Experimental Physics (PhD equivalent) from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of the University of Cologne in Germany. As part of the group of Professor Andreas Zilges, he performed particle-gamma coincidence experiments to study different aspects of nuclear structure. From November 2017 to October 2019, he worked at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory at Michigan State University as NSCL fellow with Professor Alexandra Gade. Dr. Spieker joined Florida State University as Assistant Professor in October 2019. He is currently a member of the GRETINA-GRETA User Executive Committee.

The research group of Dr. Spieker performs experiments to study the influence of nuclear-structure phenomena on reactions taking place in explosive stellar scenarios. The experiments are performed at the John D. Fox Laboratory at Florida State University. At the heart of the program stands the Super-Enge Split-Pole Spectrograph. A magnetic spectrometer which allows for detailed studies of excited states of the atomic nucleus due to its excellent energy resolution. γ-decay properties of excited states at energies relevant for nucleosynthesis processes can be selectively studied in particle-γ coincidence experiments. For these experiments, the group will build a highly-efficient CeBr3 scintillator array. The group also performs nuclear-structure experiments with GRETINA and the S800 at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL) at Michigan State University. Plans to continue the experiments at the upcoming Facility for Rare-Isotope Beams (FRIB) are in place.

Dr. Spieker is offering research projects for graduate and undergraduate students. Please visit his personal website for more information about the projects and feel free to contact him.