Nicholas Proietti
Houston,TX
Summary
Resourceful Graduate Research Assistant passionate about advancing knowledge in science through high-quality research. Self-motivated professional with excellent communication, planning and problem solving abilities.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Rice University
01.2022 - Current
- Facilitated lab preparations and equipment checks for PHYS 125 and PHYS 126, ensuring an organized and efficient learning environment.
- Conducted lab sessions for two sections each of PHYS 125 and PHYS 126, actively monitoring and supporting student progress in experiments.
- Managed attendance tracking, observed and evaluated student performance, and provided timely and accurate grading of lab reports.
Graduate Research Assistant
Rice University
01.2022 - Current
- Analyzed over 1,000 low-mass stars in Carina Nebula's Tr14 and Tr16 clusters using VLT/FLAMES spectroscopy and ESO Giraffe pipeline, adhering to standard methodologies.
- Employed astropy and numpy for Gaussian fitting and cross-correlation techniques, successfully determining preliminary radial velocities for 873 stars.
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Rice University
10.2018 - 08.2021
- Pioneered the use of MESA/RSP (Modules for Experiments in Stellar Astrophysics/Radial Stellar Pulsations) for modeling Classical Cepheid and RR Lyrae stars, contributing to the validation of program functions during its inaugural year in 2019.
- Investigated the "blue loop" phase of Classical Cepheid evolution using MESA, analyzing variations in Hertzsprung-Russell diagram tracks based on different stellar parameters.
- Enhanced modeling efficiency by developing Linux scripts and programs in C++, Python, and R, advancing computational physics skills.
- Presented research findings at the 2018 Rochester Academy of Science and the 2019 SUNY Oswego QUEST Symposium, effectively communicating complex concepts through poster presentations.
- Conducted in-depth studies on the hydrogen ionization front (HIF)-photosphere distance and key properties of horizontal branch RR Lyrae models, linking MESA parameters to initial mass, mass-loss rate, and chemical composition.
- Visualized internal absolute magnitudes of Classical Cepheids, correlating light curve features with internal stellar physics.
- Mentored undergraduate students in theoretical stellar astrophysics projects during the summer of 2021, collaborating with Dr. Shashi Kanbur (SUNY Oswego) and Dr. Earl Bellinger (Stellar Astrophysics Center, Aarhus, Denmark).
Visiting Research Student
University Of Delhi
06.2019 - 07.2019
- Collaborated with Susmita Das and Dr. Shashi Kanbur on modeling stellar pulsations using Radial Stellar Pulsations (RSP) code, focusing on variable stars like Cepheids and RR Lyraes.
- As part of the Indo-US Joint-Network Center Project, traveled to Delhi University (June 30 - July 20, 2019) for hands-on research in the computational astrophysics lab, working alongside graduate students.
- Executed a comprehensive grid of RRab models (a RR Lyrae subclass), applying specific convection parameters to enhance understanding of stellar behavior.
- Investigated the influence of the hydrogen ionization front and stellar atmosphere on stellar colors in Cepheid/RR Lyrae models, aiming to validate theoretical predictions about photosphere-ionization front interactions.
Education
Master of Science - Physics
Rice University
Houston, TX12.2023
Bachelor of Science - Physics
State University of New York At Oswego
Oswego, NY05.2021
Skills
- Attention to Detail
- Data Analysis
- Problem Solving
- Python, C, R, Julia, Jupyter, UNIX
- Artificial Neural Networks
- Computational Physics & Numerical Analysis
- Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, Word
- Research Skills
- Time Management
- Communication
- Presentations
- Teamwork
- Astrophysics/Theoretical Physics
- Mathematica
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Professional Working
Chinese (Mandarin)
Elementary
Timeline
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Rice University
01.2022 - Current
Graduate Research Assistant
Rice University
01.2022 - Current
Visiting Research Student
University Of Delhi
06.2019 - 07.2019
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Rice University
10.2018 - 08.2021
Master of Science - Physics
Rice University
Bachelor of Science - Physics
State University of New York At Oswego
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