Sean Finch Email & Phone Number

Durham, Nc, Us

I undertook duties in a collaboration making high-precision measurements of the neutron induced fission product yields as a function of incident neutron energy.

Performed my PhD thesis work on nuclear physics experiments aimed at detecting extremely rare nuclear decays: double-beta decay and double-electron capture to excited nuclear states. Gamma-ray spectroscopy in low background environments was utilized to conduct these experiments. These experiments resulted in new limits for the decays, which are substantial improvements over the previously published values. This was due to my work improving old experiments, building a new experimental apparatus with an improved efficiency, and writing new analysis and Monte Carlo simulation code. Additionally, I performed experiments using neutron beams and polarized gamma ray beams.

Experiments to filter radon gas from laboratory air and to build a detector for measuring low concentrations of radon gas.

Mathematical modeling of the nerve impulse for varying insecticide concentrations. Experimental data was used to extract parameters, such as the neurotransmitter-quenching endpoint, and characterize the insecticide toxicity. I also worked on projects using mass spectrometry to identify products of insecticides metabolized by in vivo armyworm incubations, in vitro rat liver microsome incubations, and photolysis.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Nuclear Physics

Activities and Societies: Henry W. Newson Graduate Fellowship (2012), Outstanding Teaching Assistant of the year (2010)

Bachelor Of Science (Bs), Physics, Applied Mathematics

Activities and Societies: Phi Beta Kappa