| In the fall of 2008 I will be a junior at Indiana University. I am majoring in Astronomy/Astrophysics and Mathematics. I am also considering taking a few extra classes to get an additional degree in Physics. I then plan on attending graduate school to pursue a Ph.D. in either Physics or Astrophysics. My ultimate goal is to some day carry out research of my own.
Research at IU:
At IU, I work with Dr. Stuart Mufson who is interested in the instrumentation of the proposed SuperNova Acceleration Probe (SNAP) . SNAP plans to measure the expansion of the universe using techniques involving the use of Type 1a supernovae as standard candles and weak lensing in hopes of learning more about the Dark Energy that accelerates the expansion. Dr. Mufson had proposed that a monochromator with an LED illuminator will prove to be an extremely valuable calibration source onboard SNAP supernova photometry. Before the budget readjustment of the SNAP mission, I was involved with cataloging and characterizing the LEDs needed for the on-board illuminator.
Recently, I have started to work on designing a flat fielding source for the FHiRE (Fiber High Resolution Echelle) spectrograph which is currently under construction at Indiana University. The FHiRE spectrograph will be used on the 3.5-m WIYN telescope and the FHiREBot will be used on IU's 1.25-m robotic telescope (Spectrobot) in the Morgan-Monroe State Forest.
Other physics and astronomy related activities:
I am president of IU's Astronomy Club and a member of IU's undergraduate Physics Club. I am also involved in volunteering at IU's Kirkwood Observatory’s weekly public open nights where the public is invited to come and look at various objects with the 12” refractor telescope. This coming year, I am also very excited to start volunteering at Wonderlab which is a local children’s science museum. I am also a member of the Society of Physics Students (SPS), Sigma Pi Sigma Physics Honors Society, and Phi Eta Sigma National Honors Society.
Other activities:
In addition to my research work, I also work as supervisor at Eigenmann Eatery, which is a dorm kitchen/convenience store/coffee shop. I am a member of IU’s American Sign Language club, Cru, and the all-campus string orchestra. I am also involved in Habitat for Humanity and volunteer at Bloomington’s animal shelter as a dog walker. In the spring I also enjoy playing on an intramural softball team.
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