Senior Spotlight: Tyler Hain

Tyler Hain is a senior in the JMU physics department and transferred here two years ago from Blue Ridge Community College. He is a Physics and Math double major and is from Staunton, Virginia. Tyler is currently doing research with Dr. Melnikov and hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in theoretical physics after he has completed his undergraduate degree here at JMU. When he’s not solving complex physics problems, Tyler likes to play the guitar and bass in his free time. Tyler is interviewed here by a fellow senior physics major, Inteha Hassan. 

IH: What led you to choose your major and what do you like about it?

TH: I liked my intro physics class that I took at community college because it helped me understand my math classes better. That hasn't changed at JMU; I still like physics because I get to use lots of cool math. For example, in my particle physics class we learned about how fundamental aspects of nature arise from symmetries. To describe this mathematically, you must use a branch of math called abstract algebra; which, as its name implies, is the study of general algebraic structures. One wouldn't necessarily expect to use such abstract math in physics, but groups (one of the main types of algebraic structures) are the basis for much of the Standard Model of particle physics.

IH: Who have been some inspiring mentors/role models in your life?

TH: Dr. Ilarion Melnikov has actually been a great mentor for me. He's helped me figure out what I want to do academically ever since I took his class on wave mechanics. I added the math major, which led to me learn a lot pure math. This in turn inspired me to pursue grad school in theoretical physics, and I am currently doing research with Dr. Melnikov on supersymmetric quantum field theories.

IH: What advice would you give to high school or early undergraduate students who are interested in the science career path?

TH: Learn LaTeX! Being able to write up lab reports, papers, or presentations in a neat, professional way is invaluable, and LaTeX is the best and most efficient way to do it.

IH: What are you most proud of?

TH:  I am very proud of my grades. Obviously grades don't mean everything, but I'm definitely proud to have kept a high GPA through college [Editor's note: that is a 4.0, for the record]. I had to work hard in order to understand all the material in my classes, since I am double majoring in 2 STEM fields.

Senior Spotlight: Sloane McNeill

We thought you must all wonder about who our students are, about what they do, whether in our classrooms, or outside, about what their dreams are like.  So we have started a Senior Spotlight series, where one could get a (tiny) glimpse of their awesomeness.  We continue here with a spotlight on Sloane McNeill, from Avondale Pennsylvania (Avon Grove High School), who has been interviewed by Logan Zentz, another JMU senior physics major. 

LZ: What motivated you to become a physics major at JMU?  

SM: I was always very interested in my science classes in high school, especially when I took physics. I found it to be very challenging and could tell that there was much more to learn about than what the school year had time for. Once I realized I could combine my passions of astronomy and physics together, I knew I wanted to major in physics.

When looking at programs at other schools, I found JMU to be the most appealing. Since JMU does not have a graduate school, all of the research opportunities are given to undergraduates. I was excited that I could start exploring different aspects of astrophysics as early as my first year.

LZ: What were some of your favorite classes you have taken physics or otherwise?

SM: One of my favorite classes so far has been Physics 270: Modern Physics. This class was the first time in my physics education where we were taught about material I had never been exposed to previously. The course is designed to introduce the ideas of quantum physics, specifically how they relate to atomic structure and nuclear physics. Our professor, Dr. Hughes, was able to introduce all of these ideas with us, while at the same time relating it back to familiar ideas in order for us to understand easier.  I also really enjoyed the material taught in Astronomy 221: Star Systems, the Interstellar Medium, and Cosmology taught by Dr. Sean Scully. Dr. Scully always encouraged questions and was available during office hours. I had a great time learning more about cosmology as well as being introduced to my later research project: masers.

  

LZ: What do you do for your research and why were you attracted to that area of study?

SM: For the past two years, I have been working with Dr. Anca Constantin on better understanding some of the mid-infrared properties that are associated with galaxies that host megamasers in a disk-like configuration. Though they are extremely rare, these types of emissions give us direct distances to the galaxies, as well as the most accurate measurement of the supermassive black hole mass at their center. I initially approached Dr. Constantin after hearing about her research because I found very limited material on the subject and wanted to learn more.  

LZ: What are you most proud of?

SM: I am most proud of my ability to share my interests with others who have a wide range of experience with physics. I find it beneficial to be able to discuss material I have learned from classes or even my own research with some of my friends who may have never even taken a physics class before. I am proud that I have been able to share some of the things that I am passionate about with others. 

Senior Spotlight: Sean Christian

Sean Christian is a 4^th year senior here at JMU.  He is double majoring in Physics and Geology, with minors in Mathematics, Geophysics, and Astronomy, and concentrating in geophysics.  He does research with Dr. Butner.  Sean is from Springfield, VA and attended West Springfield High School.  He is a proud member of the Marching Royal Dukes (MRD) here at JMU.  After college, Sean hopes to find a career in the field of planetary science. Sean is being interviewed by Matthew Almond, another Senior physics major.  

MA: What led you to Physics as a degree?  What about your concentration?

SC: When I first took Physics in high school, I seemed to have both a bit of a natural ability and a passion for the subject.  I took the advanced physics course in my senior year of high school and that class helped me to realize that Physics is something I could see myself doing for a career.  When I arrived at JMU, I got interested in planetary science as well as sub-surface physical properties.  I found out that we had a geophysics track here.  So, it seemed like a natural decision to concentrate in geophysics.

MA: What are your interests outside of school?

SC: One of my biggest passions outside of Physics is music.  I actually almost decided to become a music major here.  So, a large part of my time is spent being a member of the Marching Royal Dukes here on campus.

MA: What pushed you to choose Physics over Music?

SC: I would say that physics provides a greater breadth of career opportunities than Music.

MA: What are your long-term career goals?  Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?

SC: My career goal is to end up studying the geophysical properties of planets outside of our solar system.  I see myself moving directly into industry out of undergrad and if my employer will sponsor it, potentially going back to school to get a masters or PhD in planetary science.

MA: What are you most proud of, considering your time at JMU?

SC: Within the physics major, I am most proud of all of the knowledge I’ve gained throughout my studies. Outside of physics, I am most proud of participating in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade with the MRD’s.

Senior Spotlight: Ryan Ferell

We thought you must all wonder about who our students are, about what they do, whether in our classrooms, or outside, about what their dreams are like.  So we have started a Senior Spotlight series, where one could get a (tiny) glimpse of their awesomeness.  We continue here with a spotlight on Ryan Ferell, from Woodbridge, VA, who has been interviewed by Jack Tressler, a junior physics major.  In Jack's words:

College is a great time of fun, exploration and change, and for many students, this exploration helps lead them to what they want to do in life and specifically, what sort of career path they want to follow. Personally, I found myself changing a lot through my first year in college, and even more so my sophomore year. As a Physics and Math double major I thought I knew what I wanted to do, and for a time I struggled with, if it really was what I wanted to pursue, and through struggle and self reflection this changed. Now, more than ever, I am more certain on what I want in life, but less so when it comes to what I desire as a career. Alternatively, here at JMU, we have plenty of talented students ready to display their passion for what they do, and are ready to impress, this can be seen by looking at the majority of the Physics Department as well! Ryan Ferell, a senior Physics Major with two minors in Russian and Astronomy has quite the idea of what he strives to be one day; today I got the privilege to interview him and learn a little more about what he anticipates in his future. 

What made you choose this major?   


Ryan talked very adamantly about Space, and how much it intrigued him, he told me as a kid he used some paint, string, and other assorted crafts to make a room-sized solar system model on the ceiling of his room! So it’s quite evident, he loved Astronomy, but as he explained, as he got older he realized a career in Astronomy was not very realistic so he decided to major in Physics, as it’s the closest thing that will allow him to understand and study the stars and everything encompassing them.

What does it mean to you to be a scientist?

To Mr. Ferell, the importance of being a scientist goes beyond lab safety and procedures, and he believes in the discovery of the truth to be the penultimate goal of what scientists do, not just to know, but to use this evidence based observations to shape the way we think and act about real world issues such as what goes on in politics. More succinctly, Ryan believes that science should be a major moving force in Humanity.

What are you most proud of?

When talking to Ryan about this, it was apparent it was less about a specific thing that he has achieved that he is proud of, but more so that he is proud of his progress as an undergraduate at JMU, and how much his work ethic has improved. He has said that he is proud at how far he has come in the major, despite his shallow math background when he started, and the fact that he has turned low grades at first, into very strong grades by the end of the semester. He is proud of his ability to persevere despite failures and even prove those failures wrong with each success as he grows to soon be a graduate.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? What are your long term goals?

Now when it comes to long term goals, Ryan has some big goals and he plans on achieving them! He has explained that he has solid plans to get his PhD/Masters in Physics, doing research into Deep Space.  Specifically, he has a high interest in finding the Hubble Constant, or he would like to explain the discrepancy in theoretical values of what speed galaxies spin at, versus the actual values we observe. He also explained that if he doesn’t do that, he will join the Air Force, become a pilot, so that when he retires he can become a test pilot for NASA!

Senior Spotlight: Logan Zentz

We thought you must all wonder about who our students are, about what they do, whether in our classrooms, or outside, about what their dreams are like.  So we have started a Senior Spotlight series, where one could get a (tiny) glimpse of their awesomeness.  Here it is the first, in not particular order:

Logan Zentz is a senior physics major at James Madison University with minors in mathematics and astronomy.  He attended Stuart Hall High School in Staunton, Virginia and loves to play chess and other video games, like Space Engineers. He has always been interested in science and mathematics and has enjoyed being able to implement them in the physics department at JMU.  Sloane McNeill, a senior physics major (to be featured shortly by Logan) interviewed him:

SM: What made you decide to major in physics?

LZ: I started off in the engineering department, however, I was really enjoying my introductory physics classes, so I decided to switch my major to physics. Physics seemed to apply the mathematics that I had enjoyed learning in previous classes. 

SM:What are some of the opportunities you have had to practice physics?

LZ: I had the opportunity to do an internship at the Applied Physics Laboratory for the past two summers. While there, I was able to learn more about computer programming, specifically three-dimensional modeling. 

Also, I am working on a planetary geology research project in collaboration with Dr. Shane McGary, to model dwarf planet series to evaluate the initial conditions that lead to this evolution. This came to be because I expressed interest in his previous projects about modeling Venus’s surface with asteroid impact craters to then determine the age of Venus. I noticed a lot of the material used in this project was implemented from my advanced mechanics course (Physics 340) which I loved learning.

SM: What is your favorite class you have taken at JMU so far?

LZ: My favorite class so far has been Physics 341: Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos, where I got to explore systems in a more qualitative way and combine my interests of physics and mathematics. This class was taught by Dr. Illarion Melnikov, who taught us how certain examples that are familiar from other introductory classes can become chaotic and very complex when certain parameters or initial conditions are varied. 

SM: What are you most proud of?

LZ: I am most proud of my younger brother because I have been able to help him learn things like chess and soccer. I have also started to teach him some interesting things that I have learned about physics. I am proud that he has learned these things from me and is excelling in them. Experience explaining things to him has helped me when tutoring students as well as with assisting them in the classroom as a learning assistant. 

Found by JMU physics major: A triple Supermassive Black Hole system

Congratulations: Our own junior physics major Jenna Harvey co-authored a paper describing the fantastic discovery of a system of three supermassive black holes on a close collision course!

This work, which just appeared in the Astrophysical Journal, was led by graduate student Ryan Pfeifle, under the advising of Prof. Shobita Satyapal of George Mason University, and involves a team of scientists who put together observations and measurements from quite a variety of telescopes, both ground and space based.




The massive crash of three galaxies at the center of which this triple accreting supermassive black hole system has been discovered was found thanks to new techniques that exploited the power of infrared light to peer through cosmic dust that usually enshrouds, and thus hides, newly activated black holes that just started sucking matter onto them.

The paper that describes this discovery, which Jenna co-authored, provides one of the strongest observational evidence to date for such a triple interacting galaxy system, which has eluded us until now.

Jenna's contribution to this work, under the advice of professor Anca Constantin, entailed analysis of observations from the Large Binocular Telescope Observatory (LBT).  Jenna worked on the LBT data the collaboration has for a sample of fifteen interacting galaxy pairs, and found that in one of these systems, that showed an unusual ensemble of three X-ray nuclear sources, gas is swirling at speeds of thousands of km/s (which is just a fraction of the speed of light), proving that it is through galaxy collisions events like this one that black holes begin to actively snack and therefore grow, maybe before they merge onto a larger one.

An overview of Jenna's work on the whole sample of interacting galaxies that hosted this unusual discovery can be seen in the poster that she presented at the end of summer 2019 at the Undergraduate Research Symposium.

This discovery has gotten a lot of press already, check them all out: NASA press release, CNN, Space.com, The Register (UK), VICE, a German newspaper, the LBT site, and you might even have heard about it already from Fox and MSN.

Way to go Jenna!