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Undergraduate Research Award Recipients

The Undergraduate Research Awards Program provides awards to qualified students from WSGC Affiliate Member colleges and universities to create and implement a small research study of their own design as academic year, summer, or part-time employment that is directly related to their interests and career objectives in space science, aerospace, or space-related studies.

A faculty or research staff member on the student’s campus will act as an advisor for the research study, which is conceptualized and designed by the student. WSGC will locate a scientist or engineer from one of the research-intensive universities to act as a second mentor for successful applicants. WSGC is pleased to announce and congratulate the following students on their WSGC Undergraduate Research Awards:

2022-2023


Nicholas Barmore
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Major:
Chemistry
Research area/title:
Nanostructured Zinc Oxide Gas Sensors for Space Travel
Synopsis:
This research project studies how to create nanostructured zinc oxide gas sensors that are cheap, non-toxic, and easily producible. This is aimed to help increase the safety of space travel as well as reduce the cost and labor of creating spacecraft.

Jordan Cioni
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Major:
Physics
Research area/title:
Low-cost and high-volume production of light-weight engineered cellular materials.
Synopsis:
This work addresses the high cost of mass-producing new cellular materials. In high-tech transportation industries, the high specific strength of cellular materials provides a simple means of reducing a vehicle’s overall mass without compromising its strength. But despite significant research of new high-strength cellular materials, manufacturing firms are unable to implement cutting-edge cellular materials because of the high production costs associated with metal 3-D printing, or directed laser metal sintering (DLMS). This project will utilize lost-wax casting techniques to circumvent the high cost of prototyping engineered cellular materials using DLMS fabrication. Commonly used to mass-produce jewelry, the lost-wax process is an advanced casting technique that is ideal for the production of intricate geometries that cannot be made with standard manufacturing techniques. This unprecedented approach to the production of cellular materials manufacturing approach offers significant cost reduction and material strength improvements.

Shelldyn Earnest
Carthage College
Major:
Environmental Science
Research area/title:
Understanding the complications of growing Arabidopsis thaliana in extraterrestrial regolith
Synopsis:
The ability to grow plants in outer space environments would signify a massive triumph in the race towards colonizing Mars. My proposed project highlights the extraterrestrial obstacles of astrobotany and analyzes the emerging solutions for validity.

William Jarvis
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Major:
Astronomy
Research area/title:
Investigating Multi-epoch AGN Activity in X-ray and Radio AGN
Synopsis:
We aim to study two ways supermassive black holes in galaxy centers impact star formation by either heating or blowing away star-forming gas from their host galaxies.

Jakob Mills
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Major:
Astrophysics
Research area/title:
A Search for Kinematic Inflow Signatures in Simulated Molecular Clouds
Synopsis:
By analyzing simulated gas cloud motion in the space between stars, we seek to unravel the secrets of the gas clouds that are direct precursors to star-formation processes in our universe.

Tyler Roscoe
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Major:
Geology
Research area/title:
Snowball Earth Sub-Ice Biochemical Sediments as Analogs for Europa and Enceladus
Synopsis:
Earth’s last global-scale ice age (Snowball Earth) occurred in the Neoproterozoic era, about 640 to 635 million years ago. In this event, the oceans were covered with ice and chemosynthetic microbial ecosystems colonized the seafloor and persisted there despite the hostile conditions. We hypothesize that these ecosystems could be analogs for life on the ice-covered ocean worlds within our solar system, the moons Enceladus and Europa. This project will develop a model of possible sub-ice microbial ecosystems by documenting systems that formed on Earth during this last Snowball Earth event. Because of the anoxic conditions on the extraterrestrial worlds, focusing on the Earth-based intervals that formed during anoxic periods will be critical. To isolate the anoxic intervals, we will use petrographic and scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis to identify minerals formed under these conditions. Due to the importance of phosphorus cycling and its relationship to oxygen, we will compare the microbial textures of the layers formed under anoxic and dysaerobic conditions. We hypothesize that the Earth-based anoxic conditions will be a better analog for the extraterrestrial ice-covered worlds because they are unlikely to have oxygen produced by photosynthesis due to their distance from the sun.

Ainsley Salisbury
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Major:
Genetics & Genomes
Research area/title:
Mechanical Stimulation of Plants: Using Automated Intermittent Contact to Protect Plants in Space
Synopsis:
On Earth, plants are exposed to the environment in ways that they aren’t in spaceflight. I aim to characterize the plant molecular sensing system through the response to mechanical touch, which will allow us to understand stress response in plants and increase plant durability.

Nicole Schilder
Marquette University
Major:
Mechanical Engineering
Research area/title:
Measuring the Thermal Response of Materials Undergoing Shock Experiments
Synopsis:
In shock physics, the behavior of materials experiencing high pressures and strain rates is studied using experiments lasting only a few microseconds or even nanoseconds. This project will involve testing a high-speed temperature detector to measure the thermal response of materials undergoing these experiments, providing insight into the behavior of materials in extreme conditions.

Nina Weichmann
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Major:
Astrophysics
Research area/title:
Determining if a Protoplanetary Disk has an Extremely Efficient Pebble Drift
Synopsis:
Protoplanetary disks are disks of dust and gas that provide an environment for planet formation. The pebble accretion theory is the most favored theory of planet formation. A key aspect to the pebble accretion theory is called pebble drift, which is many pebbles in the outer region of the protoplanetary disk drifting into the inner 10 au region serving as the primary supply of solid masses for the planet formation inside 10 au. Therefore, it is of great importance to identify systems with strong pebble drift and compare their properties with predictions of pebble drift models. Previous observations of the HD 179218 protoplanetary disk in particular show the disk has an unusually high gas-to-dust mass ratio, which could be a sign of pebble drift to the inner 10 au region. In this project, I will use code to model different dust size distributions and then use radiative transfer code to predict the continuum fluxes of the HD 179218 disk at 1mm -1cm. These predictions will support a follow-up program to apply for the telescope time of the two largest radio telescopes in the world: Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) and the Very Large Array (VLA).

2021-2022


Nathan Curtis
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Major:
Applied Physics
Research area/title:
Investigation of Electrical Conductivity and Photocatalytic Properties of Europium dopped Gallium-Oxide
Synopsis:
Even though solar panels have been around for 60 plus years, the technology has only recently advanced to where we can integrate solar panels into our power grid efficiently. When it comes to NASA, solar panels are essential in satellites, the international space station, and numerous other applications. However, solar panels still have so much room for improvement. Thin film devices made from gallium-oxide could potentially help improve the efficiency and lifespan of photovoltaic devices. My summer research will focus on creating thin films of europium dopped gallium-oxide. The deposition process we would use is known as “spray pryolysis”. We will then examine the electrical conductivity by using a four-point probe resistivity system. Next, we will examine the photocatalytic properties by using ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry and ellipsometry. We will be changing the concentrations of dopped europium from 1%-10% and we will examine common trends. We will also be changing the thickness of the film and examining how this will affect the electrical and photocatalytic properties. 

Kenzie Swinford
Milwaukee School of Engineering
Major:
Mechanical Engineering
Research area/title:
Underactuated Pick and Place Robotic Gripper for Aerospace Applications
Synopsis:
There is a need for lightweight and low energy consuming robotic equipment across a variety of industries, and this need is critical in the aerospace industry. Efficient robotic systems make space travel and exploration a possibility, and these systems are essential for the manufacturing and assembly of aerospace parts. I have spent the past two months in the Reconfigurable Mechanisms Research Group at MSOE researching underactuated robotic grippers, and I have developed a preliminary concept for a novel robotic gripper to be used for pick and place assembly applications. With one actuator (i.e., motor), this new gripper will theoretically be lighter and require less energy than competing robotic grippers that require two actuators for the same pick and place motion. This new robotic gripper is also intended to have lower mechanical complexity than competing designs. The goals of this project are to 1) perform mathematical modeling and simulation of the new robotic gripper, 2) create a prototype and validate the gripper’s performance experimentally, and 3) write a research paper to be submitted to the 2023 ASME International Design and Engineering Technical Conference. 

2020-2021


Cameron Fischer
Carthage College
Major: 
Physics
Research area/title:
 Multi-point Measurement of Thunderstorm Electric Fields by Balloon-borne Dropsondes
Synopsis:
 Research, design, and build probes to be carried into thunderstorms where they will measure the spatial and temporal fluctuations of the Electric fields
present.

Hyun-seok Chang
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Research area/title:
 Hyperspectral + Thermal + Fluorescent Imaging of Arabidopsis Thaliana for Monitoring Plant Health
Synopsis: Hyperspectral, thermal and fluorescent imaging are all important methods for analyzing different factors of plant health. I seek to create an miniature imaging system that combines all three methods into one system that provides a detailed overview of all the important markers of plant health. The system will help researchers study correlations between two different methods of analysis and a method of diagnosing problems with plants before they become visible to the human eye.

Katiya Fosdick
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Major: 
Astrophysics
Research area/title: 
The Evolution and Growth of Nearby Galaxy Groups
Synopsis: 
This project studies how galaxies evolve by exploring the relationships between galaxy properties and dynamic activity in galaxy groups. 

Gage Siebert
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Major: 
Physics
Research area/title: Simulating the Optical System of NASA’s EXCLAIM Mission
Synopsis: 
Creating and executing a full electromagnetic simulation of the optical system of NASA’s EXCLAIM mission. Results will verify the design’s performance and contribute to sensitivity forecasts.

Miranda Gorsuch
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Major: 
Physics
Research area/title:
 A Detailed Photometric Analysis of Early-Type Spiral Galaxies in Pairs
Synopsis: 
Using photometric analysis to study the effects of “nature vs nurture” in early-type spiral galaxies within pairs and compare these effects to galaxies in isolation and those in dense environments.

2019-2020


Lucas Bauer
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Major: Genetics and Genomics
Research area/title: Rainbow Plants: High Throughput Fluorescent Screening of Space Crop Genetic Modification Candidates
Synopsis: Using a high-throughput workflow and fluorescence microscopy, plant genes will be tested rapidly for response to space stress. Insight gained will inform crop modifications for growth in space.

Hannah Bechtel
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Major: Physics
Research area/title: The Effects of Radiation Pressure on Orbiting Mirrors with Non-Zero Eccentricity
Synopsis: Simulating large, lightweight mirrors orbiting habitable exoplanets around cooler stars to identify relatively stable options for dark side illumination.

Katiya Fosdick
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Major: Physics
Research area/title: Evolution and Growth of Nearby Galaxy Groups
Synopsis: This project will study how galaxy groups grow and how galaxies evolve by exploring the relationships between individual galaxies and the environment around them.

William Korbitz
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Major: Engineering Physics
Research area/title: The application of spectral clustering in identifying structure within galaxy groups and clusters
Synopsis: Analysis of structure within galaxy clusters is important in helping us understand how clusters form and develop over time. We aim to create a methodology that can produce a priori analyses of substructure within galaxy clusters. This will be accomplished by applying methodology drawn from other applications of cluster analysis such as dynamical systems and machine learning and applying them directly to this problem. This methodology will then be applied and tested on galaxy clusters where previous research exists to serve as a point of comparison with our results.

Nicholas Quisler
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Major: Mathematics
Research area/title: Optical Spectroscopy of Quasars
Synopsis: By analyzing the Balmer Hβ 4861Å and MgII doublet 2800Å emission lines, I hope to explore the “exotic” physics of quasars with measures of broad emission lines and explore the connections with their radio properties.

Zachary Scheunemann
Carthage College
Major: Physics
Research area/title: Dropsonde development for multi-point measurement of thunderstorm electric fields
Synopsis: This project aims to develop low-cost dropsondes that can take multi-point electric field measurements inside thunderstorms. The measurements will help improve our understanding of how storms charge.

Garrett Shuldes
Carthage College
Major: Astrophysics
Research area/title: Modelling the Evolution and Charge Structure of Thunderstorms
Synopsis: How thunderstorms operate is yet unsolved, and the data that has been retrieved through experiments cannot be blindly trusted. Models of thunderstorms are required to test the accuracy of the received data, and to predict potential situations in which the data would appear.

2018-2019


Ariana Blair
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Major: Astronomy
Research area/title: The Search for Submillimeter Galaxy Counterparts Across Multiple Wavelengths
Synopsis: The research project aims to create a catalog of submillimeter galaxies using deep observations from SCUBA-2 and ALMA. The specific wavelength that we using is 450 microns, and we will be comparing our sources to a variety of different wavelength catalogs which include optical, infrared, and possibly x-ray. Our goal is to better understand these submillimeter galaxies while also looking at their star formation rates and answering the question of what the highest redshift submillimeter galaxy is.

Katiya Fosdick
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Major: Physics
Research area/title: Evolution and Growth of Nearby Galaxy Groups
Synopsis: This project will explore how galaxy groups, structures that contain galaxies like our Milky Way, grow and how the individual galaxies contained in them evolve and change with their environment.

Michael Hayes
Marquette University
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Research area/title: Developing a Computationally Efficient Model for High-Pressure, Multi-Component Droplet Vaporization
Synopsis: Most programs dedicated to modeling combustion neglect the high pressures present in many applications, such as jet engines. This project will create a fast, high pressure, multi-component droplet model to remedy this shortcoming.

Andrew Heinrich
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Major: Astronomy
Research area/title: Observing Gradients in Synthetic X-ray Maps of Galaxy Cluster in Simulations of AGN Feedback
Synopsis: I will use simulations of the Perseus cluster to analyze the effects of the AGN on the ICM, using radial profiles and the new Gaussian Gradient Magnitude filter, then comparing to data from Chandra.

Nikki Noughani
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Major: Astronomy
Research area/title: Chasing down variable stars from a decade-long dataset
Synopsis: Finding and characterizing variable stars is at the heart of a relatively modern branch of astronomy named time-domain astrophysics. Variable Stars are ordinary stars that change in brightness on widely varying degrees. Characterizing the details of how this brightness fluctuates and on what timescales, as well as the star’s average properties (mean brightness, temperature, etc.), is greatly important to understanding the process of stellar evolution. For this project, we use data over ten years from the 0.5 meter Sloan Digital Sky Survey telescope. We will develop tools that can identify several variable stars, estimate their variability periods and timescales, and determine the shape of their brightness variations over this time.

Monica Rasch
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Major: Geology
Research area/title: Oyster Mass Occurrences (OMOs) in the Lower Cretaceous Walnut Formation, Key Valley Marl, and Upper Marl Members
Synopsis: As oysters are one of the most economically important invertebrates in today’s oceans, understanding their history of ancient environments is critical for predicting environmental conditions of their success and failure in dominating ecological communities. Oyster Mass Occurrences (OMOs) are (paleo)ecological communities in which oysters form the majority of the relative abundance and biomass of a given fauna (Toscano et al, 2018). The Cretaceous strata of central Texas consist of marine deposits containing the most geographically extensive (1000’s/km2) examples of OMOs in Earth’s History (Flatt, 1976). I propose to study the two dominant oyster species (Texigryphaea mucronata and Exogyra texana) in these Texas OMOs to create models for their origination, dominance, local extinction and biotic recovery. The new science of Conservation Paleobiology (Dietl and Flessa, 2017) uses the paleontological record of faunal occurrence as the most realistic, pre-human baseline, and predictor for ecological response. The created models would have significance for the NASA Astrobiology Institute’s research efforts on the fate of the modern oysters of the Chesapeake Bay.

Trenten Smith
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Major: Physics
Research area/title: Experimental Exploration of ZnO Thin Films for Electrically Controlled and Optically Controlled Modulators
Synopsis: I will explore the optoelectronic properties of ZnO/ZnMgO material systems as a means to design, fabricate, and test multiple-quantum-well-based electronically and optically controlled modulators.

Sophia Zappia
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Major: Biochemistry
Research area/title: The effects of high G-force experienced during simulated rocket flight on the activation of pathogen response systems in Arabidopsis thaliana
Synopsis: Plants are highly complex organisms that have the ability to sense heat, touch, gravity and many other stimuli. If we want to further our space travel capabilities, it is important that we know how plants are affected by spaceflight. Based on previous research by myself and others, plants’ gene expression changes when they experience rocket flight. My experiment examines how the gene expression of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana is affected when it is subjected to high g-force that is similar to what they would experience on a commercial rocket flight. The results could have important consequences for the transportation of crops on space flights to Mars and beyond.

Bennett Bartel
Carthage College
Major: Physics
Research area/title: Micro-Propellant Gauging

Cassandra Bossong
Carthage College
Major: Physics
Research area/title: Micro-Propellant Gauging

Taylor Peterson
Carthage College
Major: Physics
Research area/title: Micro-Propellant Gauging

Jacob Biewer
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Major: Computer Science
Research area/title: Second Stage Space Sciences CaNOP CubeSat

Caroline Cardamone
Carthage College
Major: Computer Science
Research area/title: Second Stage Space Sciences CaNOP CubeSat

Garrett Shuldes
Carthage College
Major: Astrophysics
Research area/title: Second Stage Space Sciences CaNOP CubeSat

2017-2018


Jens Carter
University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley
Major: Chemical Engineering
Research area/title: Cosmic Radiation Telescope
Synopsis: The goals of the Cosmic Radiation Telescope are to successfully design and build an inexpensive particle detector that is set up to examine portions of the night sky for extended periods of time. The project is an extension of work done at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center and the University of California Berkeley.

John Compas
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Major: Computer Engineering and Computer Science
Research area/title: Spherical Gyroscope for Spacecraft Attitude Control
Synopsis: I will be working towards a demonstration of a different technique to control the direction that a satellite points in space. My project will begin to investigate an alternative that could solve these issues without large increases in price and complexity.

Kaisa Crawford-Taylor
University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse
Major: Mathematics and Computational Physics
Research area/title: Investigating Optimizing Mirror Orbits for Darkside Illumination
Synopsis: I will simulate motions of large, lightweight mirrors orbiting Earth-like exoplanets around a variety of stars, seeking fuel-efficient orbits in situations when radiation pressure is important.

Alexander Garces
Marquette University
Major: Physics
Research area/title: Compromising Metabolic Potential in Yeast Infections
Synopsis: Furthering the understanding of the effects of magnolia bark extract on yeast using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. With the goal of accelerating the development of treatment for yeast infections in humans, including astronauts on long missions, using non-toxic magnolia bark extract.

Harold Hart
University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse
Major: Physics
Research area/title: Contrast Study of Segmented Microtubule Flaws and Mechanics
Synopsis: Microtubules are a filament in the cell that make up the majority of its framework. For them to function they need to be able to change their flexibility but we do not know how it changes in all possible cases. In this project, how defects in the microtubule structure change the flexibility will be studied by making artificial defects between two microtubules stuck together.

Jarret Henning
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Major: Molecular and Cell Biology
Research area/title: A molecular investigation into the genetic networks that respond to the mechanical characteristics of the microgravity environment experienced by Arabidopsis thaliana during spaceflight.
Synopsis: The purpose of this project is to determine the overall function of a gene known as CP1 and how it relates to stress response in plants such as Arabidopsis thaliana, also known as Thale cress.

Alecio Madrid
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Major: Astrophysics
Research area/title: Using Velocity Anisotropy to Analyze Magnetohydrodynamic Turbulence in Giant Molecular Clouds
Synopsis: We advance our research from last year by developing and implementing a robust statistical framework for studying magnetic fields in Giant Molecular Clouds.

Sarah Matejka
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Major: Molecular and Cell Biology
Research area/title: Mutated Potassium Transporter Gene Transformed in Exotic Plants
Synopsis: My project is based upon the goal of allowing plants in space. I am interested in mutating target genes in our model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, specifically a potassium transporter gene called SKOR. I hope to be able to mutate SKOR in a way that after transformation in exotic plants, such as lettuce, plants can thrive in microgravity. I will also be designing a novel plasmid using CRISPR-Cas9 that contains this mutation so that I am able to transform a variety of other plants as well.

Avery McLain
University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse
Major: Physics
Research area/title: Photocatalytic Properties of Zinc Oxide/Graphene Nanocomposites
Synopsis: Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a semiconductor that has the potential to be a great catalyst in chemical reactions involving light, but it is limited by the rate at which its electrons move between the conduction band and the valence band in its orbitals. The fast rate at which this happens can disrupt the ongoing reaction. By combining ZnO with graphene, a carbon-based material, it is hoped that the rate at which the electrons return to the valance band during the reaction will be slowed down. This is because graphene has a special structure that allows for the separation of charges in the photocatalytic reaction process. If a combination of ZnO and graphene could retain the valuable optical, electrical, and mechanical properties of the zinc oxide and the graphene, while also improving on the photocatalytic abilities of ZnO, then it would have many applications as a transparent conductive material in technologies such as solar panels or biomedical sensors.

Jessica Thayer
Marquette University
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Research area/title: Improvement of a Forward Dynamic Predictive Human Gait Model
Synopsis: This project aims to improve a dynamic, predictive model of human gait. The model to be improved is novel in that it uses predictive control to replicate the complex control of the Central Nervous System (CNS). The model consists of a forward dynamic human gait model as the plant, and a control system that is primarily Model Predictive Control (MPC) to simulate the CNS. By incorporating each to the model alone, it is expected that understanding can be gained about which optimization is of higher priority to the CNS. This information can be used to complete the second goal of the research, which aims to incorporate a combination of the optimization of dynamic effort and metabolic energy consumption into the existing model. Lastly, this research aims to explore the dynamic effect of a space suit on gait.

Alessandro Tocci
Carthage College
Major: Physics
Research area/title: The Study of Sprites
Synopsis: The purpose of my studies will focus on trying to explain how lightning can cause upper atmospheric discharges known as lightning sprites. I aim to understand the obscure nature of sprites and possibly contribute a small amount of knowledge to this area of research for future generations to expand upon.

Shelia Franklin
Carthage College
Major: Physics
Research area/title: Micro-Propellant Gauging

Megan Janiak
Carthage College
Major: Physics
Research area/title: Micro-Propellant Gauging

Taylor Peterson
Carthage College
Major: Physics
Research area/title: Micro-Propellant Gauging

 

2016-2017


Adam Biewer
Carthage College
Major: Physics
Research Title/Area: An observation of EM VLF waves emitted by lightning
Synopsis: I will be studying electromagnetic waves emitted by lightning strikes and how these waves interact with the atmosphere. The data will be taken from a project conducted at Carthage College.

Logan Hess
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Major: Physics
Research Title/Area: A Fourier Photometric Analysis of the Spiral Arms of Late-Type Spiral Galaxies
Synopsis: We explore the properties of the spiral arms of spiral galaxies as a function of environmental density. Two samples of spiral galaxies of morphological classification Sb/Sbc/Sbc will be considered.

Karsten Hintz
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Major: Physics and Math
Research Title/Area: Evaluating Information Content in SDSS Quasar Spectra as a Function of Signal-to-Noise
Synopsis: The goal is to test the hypothesis that measurements such as width and internal shifts of broad emission lines in the spectra of quasars are sensitive to changes in the signal to noise ratio and to evaluate the consequences of these changes.

Benjamin  Hoscheit
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Major: Astronomy-Physics and Mathematics
Research Title/Area: Exploring the Effects of Foreground Removal Techniques and Instrumental Systematics on Observations of the 21 cm Neutral Hydrogen Signal
Synopsis: We aim to explore the effects of foreground removal techniques and instrumental systematics associated with intensity mapping observations of the 21 cm neutral hydrogen signal. Our results may be used by future 21 cm space missions.

Ryan LeFebre
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Major: Astronomy-Physics, Physics, and Applied Mathematics.
Research Title/Area: Kinetic Inductance Detectors for Future Space Missions to Observe the Cosmic Microwave Background
Synopsis: The cosmic microwave background (CMB) is relic radiation from the big bang. Much can be learned about the early universe from studying the CMB’s polarization. The goal of this project is to design and simulate detector arrays utilizing kinetic inductance technology for space based observations of the CMB polarization.

Alecio Madrid
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Major: Applied Mathematics, Astronomy, Chemistry, Computer Science, and
Physics
Research Title/Area: Using Velocity Anisotropy to Analyze Magnetohydrodynamic Turbulence in Giant Molecular Clouds
Synopsis: We will use velocity anisotropy to analyze turbulence within 10 giant molecular clouds in the Milky Way Galaxy. Specifically, our goal is to further verify the role of turbulence in the initial stages of star formation.

Matthew Monfeli
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Major: Biological Systems Engineering
Research Title/Area: Hydrogen Peroxide Flow System
Synopsis: My project is studying the oxidative shock that is experienced by plants that are grown in space. The device that I am designing will treat plants with dilute Hydrogen Peroxide to simulate this shock, and then study how it affects their growth over time.

Sarah Parker
University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point
Major: Physics
Research Title/Area: Isolated lenticular (S0) galaxies are a hot topic of research nowadays. I aim to learn more about these lenticular galaxies through exploring various photometric parameters to identify differences between galaxies in isolated and crowded (groups with 4-10 galaxy members) environments. Using a Fortran code (BUDDA – Bulge Disk Decomposition Analysis; http://www.sc.eso.org/~dgadotti/budda.html ), I will model and derive the parameters that describe the bulge, bar, and the disk of each lenticular galaxy (e.g., shape, light profile, etc.). Then, I will compare the given parameters along with colors and size to see if they are statistically different for the two samples. In doing this, I might be able to get some more insights into the formation and evolution of lenticular galaxies.

Jacob  Pfund
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Major: Physics
Research Title/Area: Exploring Properties of Zinc Oxide/Graphene Hybrid Structures
Synopsis: This project aims to find an optimal ratio of zinc oxide and graphene that combines the best properties of both materials without sacrificing their transparency or conductivity.

Nicholas Poole
Carthage College
Major: Physics and Mathematics
Research Title/Area: Data acquisition software development
Synopsis: This project is meant to develop free software that can be used on the xCORE startKIT microcontroller, produced by XMOS, for high-speed data acquisition in experiments at a relatively low cost.

Megan Janiak, Nathaniel Lee, Jackson Wehr
Carthage College
Research Title/Area: MicroGravity

 

2015-2016


Ariane Boissonnas
Carthage College
Major: Physics 
Research Title/Area: Mechanical design and implementation for Carthage RockSat-X
Synopsis: The goal of this project is to measure electromagnetic radiation produced by lightning in the atmosphere and lower inosphere by mounting a student-designed and built instrument on a sub-orbital rocket through participation in the RockSat-X program. The data collected will help better understand the process by which electromagnetic radiation from lightning is reflected and/or transmitted by the ionosphere.

Leah Fulmer
University of Wisconsin- Madison
Major: Astrophysics
Research Title/Area: Stellar Evolution of the Star Cluster NGC 602 and Massive Star Formation in the Low-Density Magellanic Bridge
Synopsis: By investigating the star formation history of the star cluster NGC 602 and its surroundings within the SMC, we hope to broaden our understanding of massive star formation in low-gas-density regions

Michael Hernandez
Carthage College
Major: Physics
Research Title/Area: RockSat
Synopsis: The objective of our mission is to observe very low frequency (VLF) electromagnetic waves such as sferics to infer ionospheric dynamics. Sferic is a broadband impulse generated by natural lightning discharges. Some energy excapes into magnetosphere. This energy may play a role in the removal of energetic particles from the radiation belts. We will recieve and sotre from electric and magnetic field signals.

Logan Hess
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Major: Physics 
Research Title/Area: Exploring “Nature versus Nurture” in a Fourier Photometric Analysis of Spiral Arms in Early-Type Spiral Galaxies
Synopsis: This project aims to compare the properties of spiral arms in isolated early-type spirals with those of identical type in denser environments. This may improve our understanding of galaxy evolution.

Maria Kalambokidis
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Major: Biology
Research Title/Area: Examining Habitability of Kepler Exoplanets
Synopsis: I will examine the habitability of the Kepler exoplanets by using the mineral physics toolkit BurnMan and the observed properties from the Kepler spacecraft. In particular, I will focus on the presence of plate tectonics, liquid surface water, and a magnetic field.

Sarah Martens
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Major: Astrophysics
Research Title/Area: Optical Spectroscopy in the CHILES Field
Synopsis: We aim to to analyze optical spectroscopy for possible companions to the galaxy JI00054.8, the largest redshift neural hydrogen detection to date, in order to describe the nature of the HI detection and the potential influence of the large dark matter halo on the possible group of galaxies.

Breonna McMahon
Carthage College
Major: Physics
Research Title/Area: RockSat-X
Synopsis: The goal of this project is to measure electromagnetic radiation produced by lightning in the atmosphere and lower ionosphere by mounting a student-designed and -built instrument on a sub-orbital rocket through participation in the RockSat-X Program.

Sarah Parker
University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point
Major: Physics
Research Title/Area: Elliptical Galaxies in Different Environments-Isolated versus Group Environment
Synopsis: Through this project, I aim to learn more about elliptical galaxies through exploring
various photometric parameters to identify differences between galaxies in isolated and crowded
environments. Using a code, I will model and derive the parameters that describe the bulge of each elliptical
galaxy. Then, I will compare the given parameters along with colors and size to see if they are statistically
different for the two samples. In doing this, I will get more insight into the formation and evolution of elliptical
galaxies.

Kevin Slezak
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Major: Physics 
Research Title/Area: y-Radiation “Aging” of Titanium Dioxide
Synopsis: How titanium dioxide (TiO2) thin films are interactively affected when exposed to y-radiation. The thin films are used as transparent conducting oxides (TCO) layers in emerging solar cell technology.

Melanie Sorman
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Major: Geology
Research Title/Area: Oceanic Anoxic Events (OAE) as Repeated Causes of Mass Extinctions
Synopsis: OAE are time periods when oxygen levels of ancient oceans dropped to levels that were lethal to marine organisms. Using two instruments, the Gamma-Ray Spectrometer and Magnetic Susceptibility, I was able to document oxygen/sea depth level trends throughout. With these trends, I am now searching for correlations with faunal diversity. With this data, a simple model of regional oxygen depletion associated with sea level change can be built.

Rebecca Taylor
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Major: Physics
Research Title/Area: Finding New Galactic Interstellar Neutral Hydrogen Shells
Synopsis: Through visual search of high-resolution radio data, this project will increase the number and diversity of known interstellar hydrogen shells so we can better understand how these structures evolve.

2014-2015


Christopher Christopherson
University of Wisconsin- Oshkosh
Major: Education and Astronomy
Research Title/Area: Observing Nebulosities
Synopsis: The project is focused on observing several Galactic H II regions in three visual wavelengths to study the interaction between the young stars they harbor and the surrounding interstellar medium.

Brandon Melcher
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Major: Physics and Astrophysics
Research Title/Area: Black Hole Spaceships and Relativistic Space Flight Mechanics
Synopsis: This project will critically analyze the idea that small black holes can power spaceships. An examination of relativistic flight mechanics will also be done.

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