Graduating seniors can be nominated by faculty members for a multitude of departmental awards. This year there were nine recipients. To learn more about the awards received please visit this link. We are very proud of these students and their role in the department. Congratulations on your hard work!
The J. W. Byrd Outstanding Senior Award: Hengming Li
What are your plans after graduation?
I am in the accelerated masters' program for engineering physics. I work with Dr. Francois Amet studying the electronic and thermal properties of materials at the nanoscale near absolute zero using nano-fabrication techniques to design electronic devices with tailored electronic properties. I interned at NIST last summer and will be attending this summer as well. After graduation I want to pursue a Ph.D. program that intersects the field of quantum computing and AI.
Please share a brief statement about your time here at Appalachian.
During my time here at Appalachian I have been published as a co-author in NanoLetters, MRS Advances, and Physics Advances. I also used to be a part of the Sunergy Team and the Physics tutoring lab. I have enjoyed having the opportunity to work with Dr. Amet and advance my educational career in the Physics and Astronomy Department. I have also enjoyed playing badminton, smashing piano at midnight, snowboarding, skiing and hiking in my free time.
Outstanding Senior Research Recognition: Julia Hinds
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I will be attending Michigan State University in the fall to pursue my PhD in experimental high energy physics. I was awarded an early starting fellowship at MSU so I can begin researching this summer where I plan to work on the upgrades to the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN.
Please share a brief statement about your time here at Appalachian.
Appalachian State as been such a great place for my undergraduate career. Having small class sizes and the ability to work in the laboratory has been such a tremendous aid in prepping for graduate school. Also, the faculty and staff in the Physics and Astronomy Department have been absolutely phenomenal and I would not be as successful as I am without their support and guidance!
Outstanding Senior Research Recognition: Jeff Miller
What are your plans after graduation?
My short term plans include staying at App State one more year to get my masters degree in engineering physics. Throughout the next year, I will also continue the research in BiyOSeF. My long term goals are to get a PhD in medical physics and work at a large hospital where I can do clinical work with cancer patients and conduct imaging physics research.
Please share a brief statement about your time here at Appalachian.
I have spent a considerable amount of time doing research in the Biophysics and Optical Sciences Facility (BiyOSeF) in the Physics and Astronomy Department after I started in January 2017. I received several grants for research and travel including a North Carolina Space Grant last summer. Last summer I helped start a project to determine the elastic modulus of cells using optical tweezers. The elastic modulus of a cell is similar to its squishiness and is important because this parameter changes as one takes drugs, radiation treatment for cancer, temperature of the cell, the general health of the cell, or while in microgravity. I have presented my research at several conferences and meetings including the national Biophysical Society meeting in Baltimore Maryland and the national American Association of Physicists in Medicine meeting in Nashville Tennessee. Being in BiyOSeF has taught me more than just the research process, I have learned leadership skills, communication skills, and professionalism skills.
Outstanding Senior Leadership Recognition: Henry Plaskonos
What are your plans after graduation?
I plan to stay at AppState for a graduate degree in Engineering Physics. I also intend to create a robotic rover that will compete at the University Rover Challenge 2020 during my time here.
Please share a brief statement about your time here at Appalachian.
Being a student in the Physics and Astronomy department has been an extraordinary time. I have become close with many amazing and influential people that I will remember for the rest of my life. Being a part of a group that is striving to meet the challenging curriculum that this degree offers made me feel at home and ready to take on any other challenges that life has to offer.
Outstanding Senior Leadership Recognition: Lucas Tax
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I'll be attending the World Solar Challenge in Australia with the Solar Vehicle Team. I don't currently have definitive plans for after the competition, however my intention is to work for a few years in sustainable energy or something similar before returning to school to seek a master's degree in electrical engineering.
Please share a brief statement about your time here at Appalachian.
My time in the Department of Physics and Astronomy has been a wonderful experience. I've gotten to work with so many generous people, and had all sorts of opportunities that I didn't expect to have when I started my undergraduate career. I can't thank the people in this department enough.
Outstanding Senior Leadership Recognition: Caroline Piephoff
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, I plan to work in renewable energy, specifically in the solar field. I am planning on moving to the Charlotte area and working for a small solar company that I interned with the summer between my junior and senior year. After getting some job experience and insight on what path I want to pursue, I'm considering going back to graduate school.
Please share a brief statement about your time here at Appalachian.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in the Physics & Astronomy department here at App. The professors have been great, and are one of the reasons I decided to continue in this major. I've had the opportunity to take classes I'm interested in that have helped me to realize what I'm passionate about and I'm thankful for the professors that have served as mentors throughout my time here.
Outstanding Senior Outreach Recognition: Jack Griffin
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation I plan to begin a career in Data Analytics or Software Development.
Please share a brief statement about your time here at Appalachian.
My time here at Appalachian State was fantastic. I met a lot of great people and got the chance to work closely with some amazing professors. My experiences here are something that I will never forget and I will bring the lessons and knowledge that I received with me into my professional career.
Outstanding Senior Inclusive Excellence Recognition: Hunter Stark
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation I will begin graduate school here at Appalachian State in the Engineering Physics program.
Please share a brief statement about your time here at Appalachian.
My time here in the Physics and Astronomy Department didn't begin until my sophomore year but it has been by far the most rewarding time in my undergraduate career. The faculty and students in the department truly make it the best. I've made lifelong friendships, had valuable research experience, gained professional skills, and found my passion. I am excited to continue my time here in this amazing department.
Outstanding Senior Inclusive Excellence Recognition: Jake Poler
What are your plans after graduation?
I plan to attend NC State University next fall to begin my research towards a PhD in Electrical Engineering.
Please share a brief statement about your time here at Appalachian.
I have absolutely loved being a student within the department of Physics and Astronomy here at Appalachian State University. I truly felt like I was able to build a personal connection with each and every one of my professors and my success genuinely mattered to them. Everybody here is very supportive and accepting of you struggles and they always are aiming to build you up not tear you down.
