Education

Royal Holloway, University of London
Ph.D. in Physics — February 2018
Dissertation: Calculation and Measurement of the Rayleigh Scattering Length of the Scintillation Wavelength of Liquid Argon for Dark Matter and Neutrino Detectors
Advisors: Prof. Jocelyn Monroe and Dr. James Nikkel

Indiana University, South Bend
M.Sc. in Secondary Education — December 2011
Thesis: Examining the Impact of Media Portrayals of Mathematicians and Scientists on Science and Math Anxiety
Advisor: Dr. Michelle Bakerson

Indiana University, South Bend
B.Sc. in Physics — December 2011

Advisor: Dr. Ilan Levine

Bethel University
B.A. in Psychology — December 2006

Advisor: Dr. Stephanie Carlson

Research

Research Projects: Past and Present

I have had the privilege of working on a wide range of interdisciplinary research projects—from dark matter detection and optical physics to biophysics, environmental sensing, and physics education. Below is a summary of my ongoing and past research efforts:

 YREP: Lasers (2023–Present)

Principal Investigator | Ransom Everglades School

I lead an interdisciplinary high school research initiative that empowers students to engage in authentic, publishable research using lasers and optical instrumentation. Projects include cost-effective optical tweezers, LIBS-based elemental analysis of marine and urban samples, and the physics of mangroves. This work emphasizes mentorship, hands-on learning, and professional scientific dissemination.

PLAIDX: Physics-Led Apparatus for Interdisciplinary Discovery and eXploration (2020–2024)

Principal Investigator | Northwestern College & Ransom Everglades School

PLAIDX is a cross-disciplinary research initiative that develops low-cost, physics-based instrumentation for biochemical and environmental applications. The project integrates chemistry, biology, and physics while promoting course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs), women-led faculty collaborations, and student persistence in STEM.

Arnett Research Group (2018–2020)

Faculty Researcher | Northwestern College

In collaboration with Dr. David Arnett, I contributed to the analysis of the structural biology of nitric oxide synthase, focusing on conformational changes and protein activation pathways.

LUX and LZ Dark Matter Collaborations (2017–2018)

Postdoctoral Scholar | Penn State University

My work supported the design and testing of thermosyphon cooling systems and xenon fluid dynamics for large-scale dark matter detectors. I also helped coordinate dark matter outreach events, including the inaugural “Dark Matter Day.”

Science and Faith in the Classroom (2016–2023)

Faculty Researcher | Sterling College & Northwestern College

This educational research explored how theological and philosophical themes could be integrated into undergraduate physics courses. The goal was to examine the role of science within the broader context of human meaning-making and belief systems.

DEAP and MiniCLEAN Collaborations (2012–2018)

PhD Researcher | Royal Holloway University of London

My dissertation research involved measuring the optical properties of scintillation light in liquid argon to improve detector modeling in dark matter and neutrino experiments. This work led to a widely cited publication on Rayleigh scattering and contributed to the DEAP-3600 detector at SNOLAB.

Diocles Extreme Light Laboratory (2011–2012)

Research Assistant | University of Nebraska-Lincoln

I developed nonlinear optics techniques and interferometric diagnostics to measure the densities of supersonic gas jets for laser wakefield accelerators—an emerging field in particle physics.

Math and Science Anxiety Study (2011–2012)

Master’s Thesis | Indiana University South Bend

This research focused on how media portrayals of scientists and STEM culture influence student anxiety and attitudes. It provided instructional design strategies for promoting STEM identity and reducing classroom intimidation.

COUPP and PICASSO Dark Matter Collaborations (2010–2012)

Undergraduate Researcher | Indiana University South Bend

I contributed to the design and testing of acoustic transducers for dark matter detectors using superheated liquid technology. This work supported the COUPP and PICASSO (now called PICO) collaborations and emphasized precision measurements of acoustic properties in detector components.

Publications

Peer Reviewed

• “Bicycle-Powered Centrifuge: A Multidisciplinary Physics Lab Project to Engage Kinesiology Students”  (First Author - written with students)
  The Physics Teacher, November 2024

• “In-situ characterization of the Hamamatsu R5912-HQE photomultiplier tubes used in the DEAP-3600 experiment”
  Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A, April 2019

• “Design and Construction of the DEAP-3600 Dark Matter Detector”
  Astroparticle Physics, March 2019

• “LUX trigger efficiency”
  Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A, November 2018

• “First Results from the DEAP-3600 Dark Matter Search with Argon at SNOLAB”
  Physical Review Letters, August 2018

• “Incorporating Theology and Science Philosophy into the Physics Classroom” (First Author)
  International Journal of Christianity and Education, April 2018

• “Index of refraction, Rayleigh scattering, and Sellmeier coefficients in solid and liquid argon and xenon” (First Author)
  Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics, June 2017

• “Final Results of the PICASSO Dark Matter Search Experiment”
  Astroparticle Physics, April 2017

• “Measurement of the scintillation time spectra and pulse-shape discrimination of low energy β and nuclear recoils in liquid argon DEAP-1”
  Astroparticle Physics, September 2016

• “Searching for Dark Matter with PICASSO”
  Physics Procedia, December 2015

• “Improving Photoelectron Counting and Particle Identification in Scintillation Detectors with Bayesian Techniques”
  Astroparticle Physics, January 2015

• “Update on the MiniCLEAN Dark Matter Experiment”
  Physics Procedia, January 2015

• “Constraints on Low-Mass WIMP Interaction on $^{19}$F from PICASSO”
  Physics Letters B, February 2013

• “Density Characterization of Tapered Super-Sonic Gas Jet Targets for Laser Wakefield Acceleration” (Second Author)
  APS, 54th Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Plasma Physics, February 2013

• “Dark matter search with the PICASSO experiment”
  The 4th International Conference on Current Problems in Nuclear Physics and Atomic Energy, September 2012

• “First dark matter search results from a 4-kg CF₃I bubble chamber operated in a deep underground site”
  Physical Review D, May 2012
  
  

Book Reviews

• “Faith and Science at Notre Dame: John Zahm, Evolution, and the Catholic Church”
  International Journal of Christianity and Education, July 2022

• “Every Life is on Fire: How Thermodynamics Explains the Origins of Living Things”
  Christian Scholars Review, February 2022

• “Cosmology in a Theological Perspective: Understanding Our Place in the Universe”
  Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith, February 2019

Web Publications

• “God Chooses the Unexpected”
  Firebrand Magazine, December 2021
  Republished in The Northwestern Classic, January 2023

• “Among Diversity Challenges, Science Textbooks are a Part of the Problem”
  Reformed Journal Online, November 2019

• “Intellectually Engaging My Fundamentalist Students”
  Reformed Journal Online, November 2018

Talks

Invited Talks

• “Chasing Curiosity: Building an Undergraduate Physics Research Collaboration”
  Physics Seminar Series, Indiana University, South Bend, IN — November 2022

• “Building the ISLAND CURE: Iowa Stony Brook Lasers ANd DNA Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience”
  Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics Seminar, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY — June 2022

• “The Scattered Lights of Liquid Argon”
  Physics Seminar Series, Indiana University, South Bend, IN — November 2018

• “Dark Matters: Measuring Light Used to Search for a Mystery Particle and Asking Questions of the Soul”
  Bethel University Alumna Colloquium, Bethel University, Mishawaka, IN — November 2018

• “Calculation and Measurement of the Rayleigh Scattering Length of the Scintillation Light in Liquid Argon”
  Weak Interaction Discussion Group Seminar, Yale University, New Haven, CT — May 2017

• “Measurement of the Rayleigh Scattering Length of the Scintillation Light in Liquid Argon”
  Dark Matter Physics Seminar, University of California Berkeley (LBNL), Berkeley, CA — March 2017

• “Rayleigh Scattering Length of the Scintillation Light in Liquid Argon”
  High Energy Physics Seminar, SLAC Linear Accelerator Lab, Stanford University, Menlo Park, CA — March 2017

• “Getting Scattered Light from Dark Matter in Liquid Argon”
  Physics Seminar Series, Indiana University, South Bend, IN — March 2017

• “Experimental Techniques Using Laser Interferometry”
  Optical Physics Seminar, Indiana University, South Bend, IN — October 2011

• “Towards Better Control of Laser-Based Accelerators: Analysis of Supersonic Gas Jet Density Profiles Using Interferometry”
  Undergraduate Women in Physics Conference, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE — November 2011

• “Developing a Nonresonant Acoustic Transducer Backing for Superheated Liquid Dark Matter Detectors”
  Undergraduate Women in Physics Conference, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE — October 2010
  
  

Selected Other Talks

• “Building a Quantum-Ready Workforce: Engaging High School Students in Optical Tweezer Design and Construction”
  APS DAMOP, Portland, OR — June 2025

• “Sharks + Lasers: Engaging Students in Biophysics Research Through Physics Courses”
  APS Global Summit, Anaheim, CA — March 2025

• “CURE-ing in High School: Incorporating Original Research into a High School Physics Classroom”
  APS March Meeting, Minneapolis, MN — March 2024

• “Developing a Biophysics CURE Course Focused on Developing AMO Technologies for Use in Biochemical Applications”
  APS March Meeting, Las Vegas, NV — March 2023

• “Re-examining the Rayleigh Scattering Length of Liquid Argon”
  Institute of Physics High Energy Conference, Manchester University, Manchester, UK — March 2015

• “Why Understanding Scattering Photons May Help Find Dark Matter”
  Cutting Edge Physics Lecture Series, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, UK — March 2015

• “Rayleigh Scattering Considerations in Large Liquid Argon Detectors”
  Dark Matter UK, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, UK — October 2013

• “The Effects of Specular Reflection in Acoustic Transducer Backings Used for Dark Matter Detection”
  Indiana University South Bend Undergraduate Research Conference, Indiana University, South Bend, IN — April 2011

• “Sono Clamps, Sound Waves, Specular Reflection and Transducer Backings: How These Are Used in Dark Matter Research”
  Indiana University South Bend Undergraduate Research Conference, Indiana University, South Bend, IN — April 2011

• “Developing a Nonresonant Acoustic Transducer Backing for COUPP and PICASSO Dark Matter Detectors”
  Prairie Section of the American Physical Society (PSAPS), Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL — November 2010

• “Listening for Dark Matter: A Plan to Develop Improved Acoustic Transducer Backing for Superheated Liquid Dark Matter Detectors”
  Indiana University South Bend Undergraduate Research Conference, Indiana University, South Bend, IN — April 2010

Posters

• “Educating Ethnic Minority and Christian Fundamentalist Students: An Examination of Physical Science Textbook Rhetoric”
  American Scientific Affiliation Conference – July 2019
  Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL

• “The Scintillating, Scattering Argon Lights”
  Iowa Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting – April 2019
  University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA

• “Scattering Scintillation Photons in Liquid Argon”
  GradNET Winter School for Science in Industry – February 2015
  Culham Science Centre, Abingdon, UK

• “Measuring the Rayleigh Scattering Length in Liquid Nobles”
  Won Best Conference Poster
  Institute of Physics High Energy Conference – April 2014
  Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, UK

• “Measuring the Rayleigh Scattering Length in Liquid Nobles”
  Won Poster of the Night
  STFC HEP Summer School – September 2013
  University of Warwick, Coventry, UK

• “Examining the Effects of Media Images on Math and Science Anxiety”
  Indiana University South Bend Graduate Research Conference – December 2011
  Indiana University, South Bend, IN

• “Laser Interferometric Analysis of Gas Jet Density Profiles”
  Summer Research Symposium – August 2011
  University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE

• “Design, Construction, and Testing of the Sono Clamp”
  Won VCAA Natural Science Award
  Indiana University South Bend Undergraduate Research Conference – April 2011
  Indiana University, South Bend, IN

Scholarly Presentations by Supervised Students

This collection highlights the diverse and meaningful work of undergraduate and high school students I’ve had the privilege to mentor throughout my post-graduate career. These presentations span a wide range of disciplines—including experimental physics, environmental analysis, education research, and philosophical inquiry—and reflect my deep commitment to making authentic research experiences accessible to all students. Whether presented at international conferences or campus symposia, each project represents not just a scientific contribution, but a step toward building a more inclusive and equitable research community. My goal has always been to open doors for students of all backgrounds to explore, question, and discover—and to help them see themselves as valued contributors to the world of ideas.

Student Talks

APS Global Physics Summit (March 2025)

• • “Democratizing Optical Tweezers: CAD Innovations for a Cost‑Effective, 3D‑Printable Design of an Inverted Microscope with Laser Path Integration”

  • “Analysis of Laser‑Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy through Python Coding: A High Schooler‑Led Research Initiative”

  • “Open Source Tweezing: Developing a Cost‑Effective Optical Tweezing Platform – Assembly, Control Systems, and Replicability for Educational Access”

  • “Dirty Physics: Applications of Laser‑Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy in Soil Sample Analysis”

  • “Laser‑Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy for the Rapid Detection of Heavy Metals in Sargassum”

APS March Meeting (March 2024)

• • “Construction of Optical Tweezers and Inverted Microscope” 

  • “Rev1 DNA Polymerase and DNA Repair” 

APS March Meeting (March 2023)

• • “Moving Towards Crystallizing Rev1 Mutants to Investigate the Structure” 

  • “Design and Construction of an Inverted Microscope to be Used in Optical Tweezers” 

Student Posters

APS Global Summit (March 2025)

• • “Laser Breakdown Spectroscopic Analysis of Soil and Sargassum”

  • “Integrated Laser‑Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy and Pythonic Algorithms for Analysis of Penny Composition and Beyond”

  • “Infrared Optical Tweezer: Instrumentation and Data Acquisition System”

  • “Developing Affordable Optical Tweezers to Enhance Research Opportunities and Skills for Students”

  • “From Beams to Biomolecules: Calibrating and Constructing an IR Optical Tweezer for Shark Muscle Analysis”

APS March Meeting (March 2024)

• • “Integrated Machine Learning and Laser Spectral Analysis of Penny Composition Across the 20th Century”

  • “Biophysics Comes to High School: Developing a Low‑Cost Method for Measuring the Force of a Laser Tweezer Trap”

APS March Meeting (March 2023)

• • Undergraduate Custom Designed Cost-Effective IR Optical Tweezers Setup for DNA Applications”  

Stony Brook Summer Research Symposium (July 2022)

• • “Gaussian Beams and Their Role in Optical Tweezers” (July 2022)

NWC Celebration of Research (April 2023)

• • “Rev1 Protein Purification”

  • “Building a Bicycle‑Powered Centrifuge”

  • “Transubstantiation and Physics: Validity in Science Vs. Validity in Religion”

  • “Designing and Building an Inverted Microscope”

  • “Laser Beam Profiling and Crystallographic Analysis”

  • “Middle School Students: Science Outreach, Math Anxiety, and Resiliency”

  • “Undergraduate Studies to Design and Build DNA Structure to be Used by Optical Tweezer”

  • “Slide Preparation for DNA Attachment for use in Optical Tweezers”

  • “Progress in Developing Laser Tweezers and Control Systems”

  • “Building the Weather Balloon with the Limited Budget and Observing the State of Atmosphere Both Visually and Statistically”

  • “Utilization of Escherichia Coli for the growth of Y Family DNA Polymerase Rev1 and GSTrap column for purification”

NWC Celebration of Research (April 2022)

• • “Concept Design for Optical Tweezers to be Used in DNA Research”

  • “Science Interest and Confidence in Middle School Aged Students”

  • “Young’s Modulus: Building a Device to Measure Material Strength”

  • “Design and Construction of R.C. Plane”

  • “Building a Mach–Zehnder Interferometer with Limited Resources”

NWC Celebration of Research (April 2021)

• • “Developing a Cloud Chamber to Measure Cosmic Ray Muons”

  • “The Science and Fiction of the Multiverse”

NWC Celebration of Research (April 2020)

• • “Physics Attitude in Pre‑Health Professions Students Upon Connecting Physics to the Medical Field”

  • “The Issue of Naturalism”

NWC Celebration of Research (April 2019)

• • “On the Age and Creation of the Universe: A Philosophical Perspective”