Experience
Cornell University Aerospace Engineering Research
As a doctoral student in the Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, I gained experience with dynamics analysis, system identification, Matlab programming, LabView, cryogenics, and superconductors. I have also flown with a research team on the Zero-Gravity Corporation aircraft G-Force One, a member of a family of aircraft known colloquially as a "Vomit Comet." I have presented my research in department colloqiua, at research conferences, and on television.
For more information, visit my graduate research page.
- 2010 Research Poster (PDF, 4.94 MB)
- 2009 Research Poster (PDF, 2.31 MB)
- 2008 Research Poster (PDF, 962 KB)
- Microgravity Experiment Poster (PDF, 3.88 MB)
NASA Johnson Space Center
I worked as a student intern in the Loads and Structural Dynamics Branch at JSC in the summer of 2009. I developed a multibody dynamics model of the generation 1 Chariot lunar electric rover concept which Structures Division engineers will use for stress analysis of the rover under dynamic loading conditions. I learned MSC ADAMS software to build the dynamics model.
- Exit Presentation (PowerPoint 93-2007, 4.36 MB)
- Chariot Rover Dynamic Simulation (MPEG, 37.1 MB)
Williams College Physics Research
During summer 2004 and 2005, I worked in a fiber laser lab at Williams; this work would transition into my physics thesis work in the 2005-06 academic year. I gained practical experience with Class III and IV lasers, oscilloscopes, lock-in amplifiers, optics, LabView, curve fitting and data analysis in Kaleidagraph, and mathematical modeling in Mathematica. In addition, I gave several presentations to the physics department.
For more information, visit my college research page.
- Thesis Presentation (PowerPoint 93-2007, 4.67 MB)
Williams College Math/Science Resource Center
Throughout the 2003-04, 2004-05, and 2005-06 academic years, I served as a tutor in the introductory physics courses for science majors at Williams. I learned to field technical questions and lead students through the solution process. In 2005-06, I served as student co-coordinator of the Resource Center and helped organize and provide some professional development for the tutors in math and science.
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
In the summers of 2001 and 2002, I interned in the High-Energy Astrophysics Division, working with scientists to analyze data from the TRACE satellite. TRACE is a solar observatory which we used to probe the solar corona to learn the properties of plasma loops. My experience included exposure to astrophysical datasets, image processing, use of a UNIX operating environment, and IDL scripting for data analysis. Descendents of some of the IDL scripts I wrote are still in use at the Williams College Department of Astronomy.
For more information, visit my solar physics research page.