Research Projects

I completed my master's thesis in mathematics at Wake Forest University under the direction of Dr. John Gemmer in May 2020. 

Noise-induced Tipping in a Simple Model of Tropical Cyclone Formation

Abstract: A presumed impact of global climate change is the increase in frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones. Because of the destruction that can occur when tropical cyclones make landfall, understanding their formation should be of interest to governments, risk analysts, as well as climate scientists. As early as 1986, Kerry Emanuel posed that the dynamics of a tropical cyclone can be modeled as a Carnot engine that transfers thermal energy from the ocean into mechanical energy in the form of cyclonic winds. In 2017, Emanuel modeled tropical cyclone formation by developing a low-dimensional dynamical system which couples tangential wind speed of the eye wall with inner-core moisture. In this thesis we present the existence and stability of fixed points for this dynamical system, using a piecewise approximation to ocean feedback. The fixed points in this system correspond to the dissipation or presence of a cyclone. The model admits a saddle-node bifurcation dependent upon wind shear and thermodynamic parameters. By converting the model into a system of stochastic differential equations with additive Gaussian white noise to simulate small scale thermodynamic disturbances, we can explore the most probable path of transition from a non-cyclone state to a cyclone state. Understanding of the formation and stability might provide insight into the underlying mechanisms that govern the formation of cyclones. 

As the capstone project for education masters degree, I completed an action research project in the framework of physics eduction. 

Building a Sence of Community in a High School Physics Class 

Abstract: It was the goal of this study to see if using praise and encouragement strengthened the sense of community in a physics classroom. In order to motivate students, it is critical that teachers establish a safe and respectful environment. In this study, I sought to discover the impacts of building a sense of community in the classroom. Strategies geared for establishing the sense of community in the classroom included establishing an environment of mutual respect, providing encouragement, and collaborative group work. Given the promising research on environments of care and respect leading to increased motivation to learn, in this study I explored instructional practices that build a sense of community and their subsequent impact on students’ motivation to learn physics. Right now, most emphasis is put on student engagement in an established classroom community. This study examined both the process and outcomes of building a classroom community. This study sought to show how praise and encouragement, through teamwork in small and large group settings, increased motivation in the physics classroom.

As an undergraduate at the University of North Caorlina Wilmington, I completed my honors thesis in physics education. 

Designing a PER-based Introductory Physics Lab 

Abstract: Physics Education Research (PER) faculty investigate how students develop their understanding of physics concepts and phenomena. They have found that students do not walk away from introductory physics courses with a coherent knowledge of physics principles even if they make a good grade in the course. When asked to explain their reasoning or describe their solution, students do not make correct conjectures about the physics. Through a modified laboratory exercise, designed from an analysis of research from introductory physics courses, we look for more effective ways to achieve student understanding. The exercises are designed to increase student involvement in class through hands-on activities with a focus on increasing students’ communication with the instructor, lab group, and the class.