ASTRO 3 Lab teaching assistant F24

As a mentor for the introductory electromagnetics and modern physics classes, I: - offer 2 extra-help sessions per week - create a welcoming and encouraging environment for all students to study physics - attend all class sessions and assist the professor as needed - meet regularly with the professor to offer feedback on class activities and discuss the material addressed during the skill sessions

Represent the college in interactions with prospective and incoming students, faculty members, and families. Lead campus tours.

Student Researcher - Independent Study in Photometric and Spectroscopic Variation of S Aurigae at the Grant O. Gale Observatory, Grinnell College. Studying under Professor Robert Cadmus, I explored potential causes of the extreme variation of S Aurigae, a pulsating carbon star in the constellation Auriga. I used photometry and spectroscopy to take observations of S Aurigae over a variety of nights. I reduced and analyzed the data. In conjunction with many years of Professor Cadmus’ previous data, I attempted to determine the cause of the brightness variations. I also compared our data to other known variable stars of similar demographics (stellar type, mass, age, proper motion, etc.) to determine whether there exist any other known cases of similar variabilities, and if so, whether the reason for variation may be the same or related. I also gained mastery in IDL, a common programming language used in astronomy, which has broadened my professional experience in the field.

Provide individualized tutoring instruction for students in PHY-116, The Universe and Its Structure (introductory astronomy).

As an REU student at NAU, I developed a pipeline to recover asteroid observations from the UKIRT Hemisphere Survey images. We recovered and analyzed over 26,000 asteroids. This research reveals many novel J-K infrared color measurements for main-belt asteroids, helping better solidify today's understanding of the composition and formation of the asteroid belt and the solar system.

Utilizing Wellesley College's PlaneWave CDK700 (0.7m) telescope and its CCD camera, my team of four students made observations of suspected transiting exoplanets identified by NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). We then reduced and analyzed the data using AstroImageJ, ultimately submitting to NASA's ExoFOP database for publication. Publications:C. Cacho-Negrete, E. Kotar, N. Leonhardes-Barboza, and S. Morrison, The Hunt for Hot Jupiters: How We Help NASA Confirm Exoplanets, in Proceedings of the 33rd Annual Keck Northeast Astronomy Consortium Undergraduate Symposium on Research in Astronomy (Wellseley, MA, 2022), pp. 9–16.Presentations:Morrison S, Leonhardes-Barboza N, Kotar E, and Cacho-Negrete C. The Hunt for Hot Jupiters: How We Help NASA Confirm Exoplanets. iPoster presented at: 241st meeting of American Astronomical Society; 2023 January 8-12; Seattle, WA.Morrison S, Leonhardes-Barboza N, Kotar E, and Cacho-Negrete C. The Hunt for Hot Jupiters: How We Help NASA Confirm Exoplanets. Talk presented at: 33rd Annual Keck Northeast Astronomy Consortium Student Research Symposium 2022; 2022 September 30-October 1; Wellesley, MA.Morrison S. The Hunt for Hot Jupiters: Helping NASA Confirm Exoplanets. Talk presented at: Grinnell College Physics Seminar; 2022 September 14; Grinnell, IA.Upcoming:Morrison S. The Hunt for Hot Jupiters: How We Help NASA Confirm Exoplanets. Talk to be presented at: Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics; 2023 January 18-20; Iowa City, IA.

Improvement and software development of the Mathematical Image Synthesis Toolkit (MIST) with a focus on improving the software's accessibility features. Conducted under the guidance of Dr. Samuel A. Rebelsky. Glimmer Lab, Grinnell, IA.

Managed a team of 53 active volunteers with 830 total completed shifts. Served as the Virtual Canvassing Lead during the Get Out The Vote period. Developed and spearheaded a statewide weekly accessible phone bank for vision-impaired volunteers.

Waterfront lifeguard at two beaches and three lakes. Red Cross lifeguard, first aid, waterfront, and CPR certified. Preserved public safety by enforcing town bylaws and regulations. Regularly communicated with patrons in Spanish and Portuguese.