Naomi Fokkens
Summary
An undergraduate student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, pursuing a dual degree in BSc Physics and BA in Computer & Information Sciences. Collaborated with Dr. Fei Xue on various theoretical Condensed Matter research projects, fueling passion for scientific exploration. Also mentored students in Condensed Matter Physics research and served as a Teaching Assistant for Computer Science courses. Determined to pursue a PhD in Physics and focus on cutting-edge research addressing the energy crisis and driving technological advancements.
Overview
2025
2025
years of professional experience
Work History
Research Assistant
UAB Theoretical Physics Lab
11.2021 - Current
- The University of Alabama at Birmingham theoretical physics lab, run by Dr. Fei Xue, focuses on theoretical Condensed Matter Physics and is particularly interested in transport calculations in exotic topological materials
- I currently focus on the Rare Earth Weyl semimetal PrAlGe and the spin orbit torque effect enhanced by the material's symmetries. This project takes a computational as well as theoretical perspective from first principle as well as ab initio calculations.
- Other projects: topology of altermagnet GdAlSi; symmetry protection of Weyl Points from a toy model perspective.
Participant in Research Experience for Undergraduates
University of Chicago
06.2023 - 08.2023
- Through this program I worked with Dr Ivar Martin and Dr Michael Smith at the Argonne National Labs through the UChicago Research Experience for Undergraduates program.
- The group I worked with studied Condensed Matter Physics and I worked on a theoretical and experimental project looking at exotic behaviors in and modeling the effect of magnetization in thin film Cadmium Arsenide.
Computer Science Teaching Assistant
UAB Computer Science Department
08.2022 - Current
- I have worked as a teaching assistant for the UAB Computer Science Department every semester since Fall 2022
- This has involved organizing and running computer science labs, grading assignments as well as working with students to excel in their respective course
- I have been elected as head TA in previous semesters where the professor offered this position
- This entailed delegating tasks amongst the TAs and working with the professor to organize content as well as act as a bridge between the students and the professor or other TAs.
Mentor in Research
UAB
- During the Summer of 2023, I worked with Dr Fei Xue to mentor the undergraduate participating in the UAB Research Experience for Undergraduates
- In this project, I mentored this student as she worked on computationally modeling EuZn2As2 under different pressures using VASP
- I have also, for the past year, worked to help mentor high school students who are working on projects that introduce them to theoretical Condensed Matter Physics research
- The younger students' project studied literature on introduction to Condensed Matter as well as then deriving a two band model of Graphene.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Physics
University of Alabama At Birmingham
Birmingham, AL05.2025
Bachelor of Arts - Computer And Information Sciences
University of Alabama At Birmingham
Birmingham, AL05.2025
Skills
- Experience performing DFT calculations using Quantum Espresso and VASP
- Coding in Fortran, Python, Java, C, Assembly & Mathematica
- Object Oriented Programming in Java and Python
- Software Engineering with JavaFX
- Database coding using MongoDB
- Implementation of web design using html, css, Javascript and React
Research Presentations & Conferences
- Modeling Cadmium Arsenide, UChicago MRSEC REU, Chicago, IL, August 2023, oral
- Spin-Orbit Torque in noncentrosymmetric, ferromagnetic Weyl Semimetals, APS March Meeting 2024, Minneapolis, MN, March 2024, oral
- Spin-Orbit Torque in noncentrosymmetric, ferromagnetic Weyl Semimetals, GERA Energy Workshop 2024, Minneapolis, MN, March 2024, poster
- Spin-Orbit Torque in noncentrosymmetric, ferromagnetic Weyl Semimetals, IEEE AtC-AtG Magnetics Conference 2024, Online, 2 October 2024, contributed poster
- Spin-Orbit Torque in noncentrosymmetric, ferromagnetic Weyl Semimetals, NSF National EPSCoR Conference 2024, Omaha, NE, October 2024, poster
- Deterministic Switching of Noncentrosymmetric, Ferromagnetic Weyl Semimetals with Higher-order Spin-orbit Torque, 2025 Joint MMM-Intermag Conference, New Orleans, LA, January 2025, oral
Awards & Honors
- Member of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society for academic success in my first year.
- Invitation to join the Society for Collegiate Leadership & Achievement Honor Society
- Invitation to join the National Society of Collegiate Scholars Honor Society
- Awardee of Dr Wills Endowed Physics Scholarship (UAB Departmental Physics Scholarship)
- Two time awardee of Robert & Edith Bauman Physics Scholarship(UAB Departmental Physics Scholarship)
- Achieved Presidential Honors every semester at the University of Alabama at Birmingham institution
- Physics Educational Opportunity UAB Physics Department for Travel to APS Meeting
- Travel Grant Recipient for attending the GERA Energy Workshop at the 2024 APS March Meeting
- Winner of GERA Workshop Poster Competition March 2024
- Sigma Pi Sigma Member inducted for top 25% of class
- Travel grant NSF Epscor National conference 2024
Extracurricular Activities
- President, Society of Physics Students at UAB, Birmingham, AL, Spring 2023,
- Member and Officer, Society of Physics Students at UAB, Birmingham, AL
- Member, American Physical Society
- Freelance Violinist
- Member of Red Mountain Chamber Orchestra
- Mathematics & Physics Tutor
Timeline
Participant in Research Experience for Undergraduates
University of Chicago
06.2023 - 08.2023
Computer Science Teaching Assistant
UAB Computer Science Department
08.2022 - Current
Research Assistant
UAB Theoretical Physics Lab
11.2021 - Current
Mentor in Research
UAB
Bachelor of Science - Physics
University of Alabama At Birmingham
Bachelor of Arts - Computer And Information Sciences
University of Alabama At Birmingham
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