Sam Mortenson
Saint Cloud,MN
Summary
Dedicated candidate eager to put analytical and problem-solving skills to practice in professional setting. Skilled at gathering and analyzing data for research with keen eye for accuracy. Reliable with strong leadership skills for mentoring and supervising students. Flexible with solid adaptability for working in dynamic environment.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
Work History
Modeling Seyfert Galaxy Kinematics
Drake University (Advisor Dr. Charles Nelson)
2021.10 - 2024.05
- Developed models for ionized gas kinematics for the Seyfert galaxies NGC 4151 and NGC 1068.
- Developed and wrote Python scripts for building 3D models of gas clouds.
MISSFIT Collaboration
Drake University (NASA Award No. 80NSSC20M0107)
2021.09 - 2024.05
- Website: https://missfit.wp.drake.edu/
- Presented at the APS April Meeting in 2022.
- Participated in the Radiation subgroup since joining, and I have led this group since 2022. This group is primarily concerned with building databases for use in other subgroups. Much of this work involved using Python scripts to parse data, as well as researching and identifying materials that could be of value for the Experimental subgroup.
- Contributed to the Experimental subgroup by measuring the attenuation of specific materials with a multi-channel analyzer.
- Helped form the Artificial Gravity subgroup, which is engineering-oriented with the goal of designing and fabricating a novel artificial gravity device using CAD software.
- I am currently a co-leader of the research collaboration.
2023 Summer REU
University Of Arkansas (Advisor Dr. Yong Wang)
2023.05 - 2023.07
- Participated in research studying bacterial motion in complex porous media.
- Designed and ran experiments in the laboratory then developed and ran code to analyze the motion of bacteria in different media.
2022 Summer REU
University Of Arkansas (Advisor Dr. Woodrow Shew)
2022.06 - 2022.08
- Participated in research studying how the brain encodes olfactory information.
- Wrote MATLAB scripts to generate graphs interpreting neuron spike times relative to breathing.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Physics, Astronomy, Mathematics
Drake University
Des Moines, IA05.2024
Skills
- Proficient in Python, Java, and MATLAB/Octave
- Knowledgeable in Mathematica
- Mathematical modeling
- Data analysis
Extracurriculars
SPS (Society of Physics Students) President at Drake University
- Helped organize and plan events for the university’s Physics Department, including but not limited to monthly socials and holiday events.
- Executive decision making for student-related affairs.
Volunteer Astronomer at Public Observing Nights at Drake Municipal Observatory
- Helped set up and aim telescopes at the Observatory for members of the public.
- Helped educate members of the public about astronomy.
Tutoring for AP Physics
- Helped tutor a high school AP Physics student to prepare for final exams
Timeline
2023 Summer REU
University Of Arkansas (Advisor Dr. Yong Wang)
2023.05 - 2023.07
2022 Summer REU
University Of Arkansas (Advisor Dr. Woodrow Shew)
2022.06 - 2022.08
Modeling Seyfert Galaxy Kinematics
Drake University (Advisor Dr. Charles Nelson)
2021.10 - 2024.05
MISSFIT Collaboration
Drake University (NASA Award No. 80NSSC20M0107)
2021.09 - 2024.05
Bachelor of Science - Physics, Astronomy, Mathematics
Drake University
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