Research Experiences For Undergrads (REU)
I spent summer 1997 in the windy city of Chicago participating in the University of Chicago's summer research program. It is an incredible experience to be around so many leaders in the field of particle physics! It is like a dream come true... I worked with Dr. Ed Blucher and Dr. Yau Wah on CP Violation. My project was on optimizing one of the types of detectors (a drift chamber) used in the KTeV experiment, which runs at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab). This is a picture of me in front of the High Energy Physics (HEP) building at the University of Chicago, which is where I did my research.(My hair *finally* grew out long again...I'll have to get a new picture on here soon... =)
Goals
It seems incredibly far in the future, but I plan to eventually get my PhD, and to do research. I think now that I will probably go into industrial research, possibly for a government contractor. Despite myself I keep finding a lot of the work done for the government interesting... I am interested in theory though, so I may decide to go that route, and work in academia. I suppose I have a while yet to decide...It is also my goal to promote physics to allpeople.
One way that I hope to do this is through my
writing. I really enjoy writing essays, but it takes so much out of
you that it is hard to make myself do it. Luckily for me, I suppose, I
have my classes to make me do it on occassion!
Other Facts:
Early 1997 I finished knitting my first real sweater and I am really pleased. It is a fairly complicated, traditional Irish fisherman's-type cable-knit (Aran) sweater, made of 100% natural grey wool, complete with burrs right off of the sheep! (I picked them out as I knit it.) I began work on it on November 4th, 1996 and finished it January 19th, 1997. It took a lot of patience, but I really enjoyed the work. It is nice to be able to do something that keeps my hands busy, but still allows me to turn off my mind (for the most part) and relax. I also want to try and knit some wool socks. I'll let you know if they resemble anything sock-like when I am done!
I finished one sock, and I believe it actually will fit my foot better than my head or something, so I guess it's not bad! I knit loosely, and it was a bit larger than I would have liked, so I started a new pair with smaller needles. They seem like they will end up the right size. I haven't had much time to knit lately though...there's always a test to be preparing for, in at least one of my classes.
Update January 1998: I am a little over half-way through another sweater...a forest green wool cable sweater. I think it will be much better than the last one, if I can ever find the time to finish it.
I started out my higher education at the University of New Mexico, but left the land of enchantment to be closer to my family, including my incredibly sweet, intelligent and beautiful daughter, Ashly, who lives in North Carolina. January 17th, 1998 was her thirteenth birthday!!!!! Happy Birthday, girlie!
I hope to be designing some physics pages soon [no, really!] [uhh, ok, maybe not quite so soon, but sometime before the Earth plunges to a firey demise into the Sun], but until then, here are a few good physics links:
- PhysLINK
- Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
- American Institute of Physics News
- Electronic Journals of Physics
Scotland
I love anything Scottish! I hope to be able to spend some time in Scotland later. This badge is my ancestral badge through my McPherson ancestors. I have tried to trace my family back farther than my great-grandmother Sally McPherson, but have been unsuccessful so far. She lived around the Cape Fear River Valley region of North Carolina in the late 1800's, early 1900's, and married Doc Hinson. If anyone has any info, I would greatly appreciate it!Also, check out my essay on Highland Beliefs and The Battle of Culloden. And of course we always savor a good single malt Scotch whisky:
Here are a few other Scottish links:
Art
Lord Frederic Leighton is an artist who's work I adore. Below is one of his paintings that I think is absolutely gorgeous. I had a good link to more of his painting and info on him, but it died. Oh, well.Update: Link Found! Well the missing link has been found!
Wine
I also enjoy tasting new wines. I hope to set up a page soon with tasting
notes on some excellent wines. I got a wonderful case of wine for my birthday
(1997) from my Mom and stepdad Larry. I enjoyed each and every bottle!
It is easy to get spoiled with good wine!
I bought a small (375ml) bottle of Australian Sauterne, and am wondering what it will taste like. I have never heard of Australians doing Sauterne (although they sure do know their Shiraz and Chardonnay), but I will let you know if it is any good. Most French Sauterne run at least $30+ for a small bottle, so if the Australians can get a good, inexpensive, complex, not-too-sweet wine, then it is certainly good news for me! Update: It was quite pleasant actually, but now it has been a couple of months, and I cannot swear as to the vinter, but I *think* it was Lindemans. If you see it, it is definately worth a try, as are almost all Australian wines, especially the Rosemount Shiraz and Chardonnays.
Update:
I started working for a wine shop winter '97, called The Strawberry Street
Vinyard. I really enjoyed working there, but I found it too dificult
to have the time for my school work, so I had to switch to an "on call"
status. I learned a lot and enjoyed working with the people there.
Perhaps someday I'll have my own wine shop... or at least a *huge*
wine cellar! ;)
Tigger
Any comments would be appreciated. Please do not reproduce these essays without my express written consent. I can be reached via Email at raina@bitsmart.com.
This page last edited on January 20, 1998.