About Me
I recently graduated (this June, 2011) from Michigan State University (MSU) with a doctorate in physics with a focus in experimental nuclear physics. Further details on my research is found on my Science page. Here are a few points to entice the reader:
Point: We all come from stars. All elements beyond hydrogen and helium (products of the big bang) were created in the stellar environment through nuclear reactions.
Point: The field of nuclear physics has many large, unanswered problems. The nuclear force that binds nucleons (protons and neutrons) together is still not completely understood. Exotic nuclei, e.g. nuclei produced in laboratories like the NSCL that don’t exist on Earth, often exhibit novel properties like nuclear halos, shape coexistence, and rearrangement of orbitals, that are not explained by contemporary nuclear models.
Point: Nuclear science has many applications beyond energy and weapons. These morally divisive subjects get the most attention, but most nuclear scientists work in other areas. Nuclear medicine, including radiation oncology (the destruction of tumors through radiation, e.g. radioisotope therapy, proton therapy, heavy-ion therapy) and radiology (the imaging of the human body) have saved and prolonged the lives of cancer patients. Isotopic signatures have been used in farming, monitoring animal migration, and nuclear archeology. And the detection and analysis of radiation has an increasing number of applications in homeland security.
The other side…
For fun: In my free time I enjoy writing and playing music, creating stories for my DND campaign, reading, traveling, and spending time with my girlfriend.
Email: Contact me by email.
Social networking: As mentioned on the Home page, I can be contacted through a variety of social networking services.
