Graduate Fellowship Award Recipients

Each year the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium awards a number of undergraduate scholarships and graduate fellowships to the best and brightest college and university students from WSGC affiliate member institutions. The WSGC fellowship awards are based on academic performance, space and aerospace-related promise and the submission of a specific research proposal. The fellowships funds help defer the costs of the student's research. WSGC is pleased to announce and congratulate the following students on their WSGC Graduate Fellowships:

2009-2010

Lisa Anderson-Antle UW-Milwaukee Research Title: Simulated Weightlessness and Radiation in Bone Health Synopsis: Space is a hazardous environment with the potential to challenge the long-term health of astronauts. As weightlessness may impact the influence of radiation on long-term tissue regeneration, it is important to understand the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms so that effective interventions can be found. Our long-term goals are to determine the mechanisms of tissue degeneration and to develop effective countermeasures for musculoskeletal disuse. Studies using both physiological and molecular approaches will be used to achieve our objectives. This research is relevant to clinical conditions of physical inactivity and immobilization.

Emily Barrentiner
UW-Madison
Research Title: The Development of a Transition Edge Hot-Electron Microbolometer
Synopsis: Future NASA missions to probe the Cosmic Microwave Background polarization will need sensitive detectors provided by arrays of 1000s of bolometers. My project will develop a Transition-Edge Hot-Electron Microbolometer to fill this need.

Blakesley Burkhart
UW-Madison
Research Title: The Quest for Understanding Interstellar Turbulence: New Ways of Analyzing Data
Synopsis: Astronomers have long wanted to characterize sonic and Alfven Mach numbers in the ISM as well as measure the spectrum of turbulent velocities in order to test theoretical models. In response to this, I propose to conduct a study using new density and velocity diagnostic tools that will increase the information yield provided by column densities and emission and absorption lines. For my analysis of velocity spectrum, I will use the Velocity Channel Analysis (VCA) and the Velocity Coordinate Spectrum (VCS) to measure the turbulent velocity spectra. The anticipated outcome of this project using both density and velocity tools will be the localization of the places of energy injection and dissipation in various phases of the Milky Way, insight into the energetic connection between the warm and cold gas, characterization of magnetic and sonic Mach numbers, as well as clarification of the nature of the compressible turbulent cascade.

Amanda Gault
UW-Madison
Research Title: Observing with the Millimeter-wave Bolometric Interfrerometer
Synopsis: The Millimeter-wave Bolometric Interferometer, a test-bed for technology for the Einstein Inflation Probe, will begin observing this year. These observations and characterizations of the instrument will continue through 2009.

Aaron Geller
UW-Madison
Research Title: The Progeny of Stellar Dynamics and Stellar Evolution
Synopsis: Through detailed integration of forefront observations and theory, the proposed NGC 188 N-body simulation will greatly advance our understanding of the interplay of the fundamental fields of stellar evolution and stellar dynamics.

Jordan Gerth UW-Madison Research Title: Applying MODIS Atmosphere Observations to Numerical Weather Prediction Simulations Synopsis: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) operate a series of polarorbiting satellites which are used to make atmospheric measurements. These space-based observations have been shown useful in improving numerical weather prediction simulations. This work proposes using the Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) Model with initial conditions modified by data from two NASA satellites equipped with a MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) to assess the impact of space-based data on mesoscale weather simulations (occurring on a horizontal grid of 20-kilometer spacing or less) over regional sectors. A particularly notable region is the Great Lakes, where the marine-modified atmosphere plays a significant role in the weather of coastal communities. The end goal is to show improved temperature and moisture forecasts and provide this data to the National Weather Service (NWS) in real-time.

Diana Husmann UW-Madison Research Title: Time Lab between Solar PV Efficiency Breakthroughs and Mass-Production in Public and Private Research Synopsis: CSynopsis: Comparing solar PV efficiency breakthroughs coming from public and private labs to determine which breakthroughs have been commercialized the most quickly and suggest better commercialization methods.

Ryan Keenanr> UW-Madison Research Title: Galaxy Evolution Study Synopsis: This project is an astronomy collaboration involving the use of telescopes in the United States and in Chile to study the spectra of a large sample of galaxies for the purpose of constraining galaxy evolution through major mergers.

Benjamin Lackey
UW-Milwaukee
Research Title: Extracting Equation of State Parameters from Neutron-Star Observations
Synopsis: The neutron-star equation of state can be highly constrained with current observations and expected future electromagnetic and gravitational wave observations of compact binary systems. Both analytical and numerical work will be done to determine how these observations can be most accurately mapped onto the equation of state. The results can be used to determine the configuration of advanced gravitational wave detectors that will maximize their sensitivity to equation of state parameters encoded in the waveforms.

Claus Moberg UW-Madison Research Title: A Satellite- and Modeling-Based Source Apportionment Analysis of Tropospheric Ozone Pollution Over the Western United States Synopsis: This project uses satellite- and ground-based observations of atmospheric variables to constrain a regional model of atmospheric chemistry over the Western United States. The goal of the project is to better determine the relative importance of stratospheric ozone contributions to ground-level concentrations of ozone pollution.

Jordan Muss UW-Madison Research Title: Measurement of Three-Dimensional Canopy Structure Using Discrete Lidar Data Synopsis: Forest canopy structure will be measured using discrete lidar data and methods typically reserved for waveform data. A new technique will be developed that describes 3-D clumping of canopy elements.

Laura Trouille
UW-Madison
Research Title: X-Ray and Optical Spectral Properties of Active Galactic Nuclei
Synopsis: I explore the X-ray and optical spectral properties of a highly spectroscopically complete sample of Chandra Active Galactic Nuclei in order to better understand the interaction between the ionizing flux and the surrounding material.

Jonathan Van Dyke Medical College of WI Research Title: Understanding Stretch-Induced Subcellular Signals Responsible for Countering Muscle Atrophy Synopsis: This research is designed to characterize the stretch-induced interaction between two subcellular signaling factors, p38 MAPK and MEF2, and their role in preventing loss muscle wasting in unloaded skeletal muscle.

2008-2009

Claudia Cyganowski
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Research Title: On a Bubble’s Edge: Molecular Gas and Triggered Star Formation
Synopsis: The GLIMPSE survey shows that small, infrared-bright dust bubbles produced by massive stars pervade the Galactic Plane.  Cyganowski will investigate whether the expansion of these bubbles triggers star formation in surrounding molecular gas.

Valerie Bennington
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Research Title: Understanding Lake Superior Biogeochemistry
Synopsis: I will create an ecosystem model appropriate for Lake Superior’s food web, nutrient limitations, and carbon chemistry.  I will couple this ecosystem model to the MIT general circulation model, adapted to Lake Superior’s bathymetry, to determine the annual flux of carbon between the lake and the atmosphere.  I will determine the importance of biological productivity on the lake’s annual flux, and I will quantify how physical climate variability affects productivity and the resulting carbon flux.  Such analysis will enable researchers to estimate the future carbon fluxes of Lake Superior in varying climate scenarios.  Lake Superior is oligotrophic and future land use may alter the supply of phosphorous to the lake.  I will determine whether changes in the macronutrient budget of Lake Superior could have an effect on its carbon exchange.  From all of these experiments, the importance of biological production to variability in the lake flux will be determined.  If biological production is a first-order control of lake flux variability, satellite-derived estimates of lake chlorophyll can be used to estimate changes in the lake flux.

Yakira Braden
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Research Title: Parameter Calibration and Computer Simulations for Complex Physical Systems
Synopsis: Today, companies across the world are constantly in search of innovative ideas that can reduce their cost of production and operation and increase their profits. Many industries aim to simulate a model of their physical system of interest as opposed to producing and testing the actual system. The proposed research of system identification, often referred to as parameter calibration, yields itself as an appealing and applicable cost effective solution that satisfies this goal. When applying parameter calibration in conjunction with computer simulation of complex physical systems, the model of this physical system is constructed in a simulation program called ADAMS and model parameters are calibrated in order to produce results that closely match the field data gathered from the physical system. ADAMS is a motion simulation solution for analyzing the complex behavior of mechanical assemblies. Parameter calibration will be a useful modeling tool in the aerospace industry, as far as system manufacturing is concerned, because it provides one with the insight needed to make an accurate estimation of the cost of production including man power, cost of materials, amount of materials needed, and construction completion time. Foreseeable design and construction problems can also identified.

Megan Christenson
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Research Title: Using Land Use Change as Predictor of Disease Emergence
Synopsis: Explore the hypothesis by conducting interviews in a community in Brazil where a Chagas disease outbreak has occurred in order to obtain data about the disease transmission and shifts in land use (i.e., deforestation).

Amanda Gault
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Research Title: Observing with the Millimeter-wave Bolometric Interfrerometer
Synopsis: The Millimeter-wave Bolometric Interferometer, a test-bed for technology for the Einstein Inflation Probe, will begin observing this year. These observations and characterizations of the instrument will continue through 2009.

Matthew Glenz
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Research Title: Proposal to Research Cosmic Neutrinos and Spectrum of Early Universe Fluctuations
Synopsis: Determine spectrum of early universe inflaton fluctuations in a way that does not depend
on regularization of the quantized fluctuation in curved spacetime; continue research into
cosmic neutrinos.

Kelley Hess
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Research Title: Environmental Impacts on the Evolution of Galaxy Groups in the Coma-A1367 Supercluster
Synopsis: Investigate the HI content of galaxy groups and their member galaxies surrounding the Coma-A1367 Supercluster. Within this large volume of the Universe, galaxy groups reside in a large range of environments. The goal of this study is to quantify the evolution of galaxies and their cold gas in groups, as a function of the local density.  This study will utilize the wealth of data acquired through the Arecibo Legacy Fast ALFA Survey.

Evan Alec Johnson
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Research Title: Multiscale Algorithm for Onset of Fast Magnetic Reconnection
Synopsis: An adaptive multiscale method will be developed to efficiently model the onset of fast reconnection.

Justin Madsen
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Research Title: Validation of Novel Rigid Body Frictional Contact Algorithms Using Tracked Vehicle Simulation: A Stepping Stone for Billion Body Dynamics
Synopsis: Computer modeling and simulation of mechanical systems with many rigid body frictional contacts is currently limited due to inefficient formulation. A time-stepping method which describes frictional impacts and contacts as unilateral constraints and solves the resulting linear complementarity problem on the velocity-impulse level with a novel fixed-point iteration process has recently been introduced. Research will be done to determine the accuracy of this new formulation by running a series of simulations on a hydraulic excavator model.

Michael Morrissey
Marquette University
Research Title: Examination of Granular Surface Impact via Particle Vision Velocimetry
Synopsis: The objective of this research project is to better understand the dynamics associated with the impact of loose granular material.  This is an important phenomenon to study when exploring different bodies in our universe.  Using these different projectiles as a simple probe, NASA would be able to launch an object at any surface in space and observe the crater formation and the debris that ejects from the crater to better understand the geology within.  When an object impacts a granular surface, a shock wave forms below, meanwhile, the ejecta, initially below the surface, rises and lands on top of the surface.   When this crater and debris is studied, one can better determine the geological makeup of the planet and possibly the existence of water, a key component of sustained human space exploration.  Experimental simulations will illustrate a metal sphere accelerating through a surface of sand, which will be recorded by a high speed camera.  The images will then be post-processed by PIV software to better understand the shock wave preceding the sphere, as well as the ejecta accelerating upwards.  Preliminary experiments indicate this technique is viable.

Harrison Skye
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Research Title: Modeling and Experimentation with a Cascaded Mixed Gas Joule-Thomons Cryocooler for Aerospace Applications
Synopsis: Cryocoolers are a common critical component for space flight missions that provide cooling for liquid propellant storage, infrared detector arrays, and a variety of other applications.  Multiple stage Mixed Gas Joule-Thomson (MGJT) cryocoolers divide the large temperature range that must be spanned in most applications into two smaller temperature spans are each addressed more using a more compact system.  The system offers high reliability and excellent vibration and electrical resistance because the compressors operate at warm temperatures and are decoupled from the load heat exchanger.  The system operates in a continuous flow loop and is therefore the working fluid is readily transported to integrate to distant or spatially large loads.  This paper describes a project that will use a numerical model of a MGJT cycle to select optimal gas mixtures in order to provide a maximal amount of refrigeration given hardware constraints including compressor and heat exchanger size.  An experimental test facility will be constructed to measure key temperatures, pressures, flow rates, and thermal loads which characterize the performance of the system.  The experimental performance results will be incorporated into the numerical model to select an optimal mixture for the specific system studied here.  Experimental measurements will be used to verify the increase in available refrigeration and to refine the predictive capabilities of the model.

2007-2008

Ella Braden University of Wisconsin-Madison Research Title: The Young Open Cluster M35 as a Probe of Stellar Dynamics and Binary Populations Synopsis: In order to improve current understanding of stars and stellar evolution, Braden will analyze the binary frequency, mass-segregation, stars showing anomalous spectra and eclipsing binaries in the young open cluster M35.

Claudia Cyganowski
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Research Title: On a Bubble’s Edge: Molecular Gas and Triggered Star Formation
Synopsis: The GLIMPSE survey shows that small, infrared-bright dust bubbles produced by massive stars pervade the Galactic Plane.  Cyganowski will investigate whether the expansion of these bubbles triggers star formation in surrounding molecular gas.

Emily Freeland
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Research Title: Bent-Double Radio Sources as Probes of the Intragroup Medium
Synopsis: The vast majority of galaxies, including the Milky Way, reside in loose groups which are small dynamical systems typically containing a handful of large galaxies and a large number of smaller ones.  Groups probably contain a significant fraction of the total baryonic mass in the local universe in their intragroup medium (IGM).  Aside from a handful of X-ray observations almost nothing is known about the IGM in these systems.  This is a continuation of a thesis project consisting of radio and optical observations that will allow Freeland to measure the density of the IGM to an unprecedented degree.

Amanda Gault
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Research Title: Microwave Instrumentation and the Millimeter-wave Bolometric Interferometer
Synopsis: Advanced microwave phase modulators will provide lock-in detection of small CMB signals.  These are being tested for use in the Millimeter-wave Bolometric Interferometer, a test-bed for technology for the Einstein Inflation Probe.

Matthew Glenz University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Research Title: Proposal to Research a New Modeling of Inflation and High Energy Neutrino Detections to Probe Distant Universe Synopsis: Develop new method of modeling inflation to explore the history of the universe and examine neutrino interaction signatures to be used as probes of physics in the distant universe.

Kelley Hess University of Wisconsin-Madison Research Title: Gas Evolution in Galaxy Groups as a Function of Environment Synopsis: The properties of gas in and around galaxies trace the evolutionary history of large-scale structures over the lifetime of the universe.  The most interesting and least well studied of these structures are groups: collections of a handful of massive galaxies and large numbers of small galaxies.  Close to 70 percent of all galaxies are believed to reside in such groups, and therefore they are a key evolutionary link between individual galaxies and the massive clusters.  Hess will identify a sample of galaxy groups detected in the Arecibo Legacy Fast ALFA (ALFALFA) survey, and use the observations to study the characteristics of the cold neutral gas that lies within the late-type galaxies.  Meanwhile, X-ray observations identify active galactic nuclei (AGN), and trace the hot gas that lies in the intragroup medium.  By examining and quantifying the properties of gas in a sample of groups, Hess hopes to understand the impact of AGN on groups, and how the groups evolve as a function of environment.

Evan Alec Johnson University of Wisconsin-Madison Research Title: Relaxation Algorithm for Two-Fluid Space Plasmas Synopsis: A relaxation method will be developed to switch naturally and adaptively between two-fluid and one-fluid plasma models.

Tobias Keidl
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Research Title: On Finding Fields and Self-Force in a Gauge Appropriate to Separable Wave Equations
Synopsis: Keidl will look at a binary black hole system composed of a supermassive black hole orbited by a stellar sized black hole and will examine the motion and radiation emitted by this system to calculate a waveform suitable for use by LISA.

Amanda Kepley University of Wisconsin-Madison Research Title: Magnetic Fields in Irregular Galaxies Synopsis: Kepley will investigate the magnetic field structure of irregular galaxies using observations at radio wavelengths in order to understand how large-scale fields are generated in these galaxies.

Ryan Taylor University of Wisconsin-Madison Research Title: Computational Fluid Dynamic Modeling of Pulse-Tube Refrigerators Synopsis: Taylor will carry out fundamental work that will enable the deployment of high efficiency pulse-tube refrigerators (PTRs) for aerospace applications by developing an experimentally-verified and powerful CFD model that can be applied to the design of efficient pulse tubes.  The specific objective of the work is the development of computational fluid dynamic (CFD) models of pulse tube/flow transition behavior using the commercial software FLUENT.  These CFD models will be experimentally-validated using data taken at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Boulder, CO.  The experimentally-validated model will be used to generate design charts which will enable a pulse-tube designer the ability to use the most optimal pulse-tube design for a given set of operational parameters to maximize system efficiency.

Jonathan Van Dyke Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Research Title: Searching for a Muscle Atrophy Countermeasure in Over-Wintering Black Bears Synopsis: Van Dyke will study the mechanism bears use to maintain muscle mass during hibernation and resist the negative effects of reduced weight bearing activity.  This may be applied in humans to preserve skeletal muscle in microgravity.

2006-2007

2005-2006 Graduate Fellowship Award Recipients

Borg, Lori
UW-Madison
Major/Title:  Atmospheric and Oceanic Science

Chomiuk, Laura
UW-Madison
Major/Title:  Astronomy

Cyganowski, Claudia
UW-Madison
Major/Title:  Astronomy

Devine, Kathryn
UW-Madison
Major/Title:  Astronomy

Freeland, Emily
UW-Madison
Major/Title:  Astronomy

Gault, Amanda
UW-Madison
Major/Title:  Physics

Hamann, Joseph
UW-Madison
Major/Title:  Materials Science & Engineering

Hole, Karen
UW-Madison
Major/Title:  Astronomy

Howard, Matthew
UW-Madison
Major/Title:  Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences

Hyland, Peter
UW-Madison
Major/Title:  Physics

Keidl, Tobias
UW-Milwaukee
Major/Title:  Physics

Kulie, Mark
UW-Madison
Major/Title:  Atmospheric Science

Longmier, Benjamin
UW-Madison
Major/Title:  Engineering Physics

Trouille, Laura
UW-Madison
Major/Title:  Astronomy

Westfall, Kyle
UW-Madison
Major/Title:  Astronomy

2004-2005 Graduate Fellowship Award Recipients

Borg, Lori A.
University of Massachusetts at Amherst
Research:  Aerosols, Clouds, and Precipitation Monitoring over the Great Lakes
Synopsis:  Recent studies highlight the implications of human activities on climate in the Great Lakes region. The proposed project will address one aspect of human activities by monitoring the impact of pollution on the clouds and aerosols.

Crawford, Steven
U. of Wisconsin--Madison
Research:  ACS Imaging of Luminous Compact Blue Galaxies: Morphology and Structure
Synopsis:  Despite their small size, Luminous Compact Blue Galaxies dominate the global star formation rate at intermediate redshifts and provide an important test of hierarchical structure formation scenarios.

Dellenbusch, Kate
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Research:  Star Formation and its Trigger in Starburst Dwarf Galaxies
Synopsis:  Dwarf galaxies are the most numerous type of galaxy in the universe. It is not clear whether an evolutionary connection exists between different dwarf morphological types, and what role star formation may play in this evolution.

Freeland, Emily
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Research:  The Gas Content of Groups of Galaxies
Synopsis:  Intermediate between isolated galaxies and rich clusters, groups of galaxies are the most ubiquitous dynamical systems in the universe. Nonetheless, very little is known about the structure and evolution of their gas content.

Hamann, Joseph A.
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Research:  Synthesis & Stability of Amorphous Aluminum Alloys - Advancing Towards Bulk Processing Techniques

Hole, Karen
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Research:  Magnetic Disk Locking and the Angular Momentum Problem in Young Stars
Synopsis:  Magnetic disk locking is a leading theory to explain the difference between the observed rotation speeds of CTTSs and those predicted from conservation of angular momentum in a collapsing molecular cloud. Still, the theory is not yet able to explain the properties of observed CTTSs.

Hyland, Peter
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Research:  A Search for Gravity Waves from the Big Bang using the Cosmic Microwave Background

Keidl, Tobias S.
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Research:  Gravitational Radiation for a Two Black Hole Binary System
Synopsis:  Understanding of the self force of a small black holes spiraling into a large black hole represents an important area of research. This research aims to compute the gravitational self force of such systems.

Komp, William
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Research:  Accelerating the Universe with Vacuum Metamorphosis

Norman, Ryan
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Research:  Kaon Transport for Space Radiation and the Continued Development of HZETRN
Synopsis:  Space radiation and its effects on human life and sensitive equipment are of concern to a safe exploration of space. The radiation fields are modified in quality and quantity by intervening shielding materials. The production of kaons and other mesons are thought to account for some of these modifications.

Tuchowski, Fern
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Research:  The Experimental Study and System Optimization of a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell
Synopsis:  Direct methanol fuel cells promise to be convenient and efficient sources of energy that can be used in many environments, including space. This project proposes to modify the membrane of the DMFC and employ a fuel catalyst to improve its performance.

Wehner, Elizabeth
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Research:  The Pre-Burst Nature of Starbursting Galaxies w/Evidence of Recent Merging
Synopsis:  This project will explore the connection between "starburst" galaxies, those experiencing extreme star formation, and intergalactic collisions. Understanding this link will test two competing theories and provide valuable insight into how galaxies form and evolve.

Westfall, Kyle
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Research:  Toward the Disk Mass-to-Light Ratio of Faint Galaxies
Synopsis:  I propose to break the disk-halo degeneracy in the mass decomposition of galactic rotation curves in the interesting case of low-surface brightness (LSB) galaxies. The proposed work requires the continuation of the upgrade to the Bench Spectograph on the WIYN 3.5-meter telescope.

2003-2004 Graduate Fellowship Award Recipients

Baewer, David
Medical College of WI
Research:  Daily Stretching of Soleus Muscles

Cook, Blake
UW-Milwaukee
Research:  Forced Induced Response on Axial Fan

Crawford, Steven
UW-Madison
Research:  The Ultimate Fate of Luminous Compact Galaxies

Hamann, Joseph
UW-Madison
Research:  Synthesis and Stability of Amorphous A1 Alloys

Hole, Karen
UW-Madison
Research:  Investigation of Stellar Evolution

Kepley, Amanda
UW-Madison
Research:  Extended HI in Local Group Dwarf Irregular WLM

Komp, William
UW-Milwaukee
Research:  Vacuum Metamorphosis and the Accelerating Cosmos

Madsen, Gregory
UW-Madison
Research:  Continuing a WHAM Study of the Heterogeneous Nature of the Worm

Norman, Ryan
UW-Milwaukee
Research:  Pion Production Cross Sections and HZETRN

Sams, Oliver
Marquette
Research:  Hybrid Rocket Engines

Steffen, Aaron
UW-Madison
Research:  The Evolution of the X-ray Luminosity Function

Wehner, Elizabeth
UW-Madison
Research:  The Pre-burst Nature of Star bursting Galaxies

2002-2003 Graduate Fellowship Award Recipients

2001-2002 Graduate Fellowship Award Recipients

2000-2001 Graduate Fellowship Award Recipients

1999-2000 Graduate Fellowship Award Recipients