Expert Details
Space Physics, Space Weather, Database Design, Data Management
ID: 728970
Alaska, USA
Expert has worked with data sets ranging from Incoherent Scatter Radar data to data from second grade math tests. She is familiar with databases and has set up and used databases using MySQL, Oracle and Access. She knows statistical analysis methods and correct data handling techniques.
Expert has designed, built, populated, tested and used databases for a number of organizations and projects. She has managed data transfers, cleaned and organized data, and done data analysis. Most recently, 10 years worth of data from the K-12 Outreach Statewide Mentor program was taken from unorganized spreadsheets to a database and internet interface that allows the data to go directly from the supplier, into the database without being stored on a third person's computer or needing to be re-entered. This simplified the workload on the projects Mentors and improved data reliability and completeness. Her primary work has been in MySQL, but she has worked with Oracle and Access as well.
She designed and wrote labs for the Science 115 class offered through Tanana Valley Campus in conjunction with the UAF Physics department. Rewrote or created labs as needed. For created labs, the important theory was determined, the materials available were considered and the method to be followed was determined. All labs were tested to ensure student success.She created and presented Power Point presentations to the general public and modified shows to respond to public demand. Answered any questions about the aurora that people visiting Pioneer Park had. Collected data on number of people attending shows. Designed, handed out and collected surveys to determine public interest in the aurora. Determined from survey responses how best to present information.She produced looping power point presentation to inform passers by of the role played by the USGS geomagnetism group in safeguarding our nation by monitoring geomagnetic activity.She tutored math and physics at high school through college levels for 5+ years.She contracted with the USGS to take data once a week at the College station using an experimental method and made trips to take data at other stations on demand.
Education
Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
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Year: 2004 | Degree: PhD | Subject: Space Physics | Institution: University of Alaska Fairbanks |
Year: 1998 | Degree: MS | Subject: Physics | Institution: University of Alaska Fairbanks |
Year: 1989 | Degree: BS | Subject: Physics | Institution: University of Wisconsin Milwaukee |
Work History
Years | Employer | Title | Department |
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Years: 2013 to 2015 | Employer: University of Alaska Statewide | Title: Research Professional 1 | Department: Academic Affairs - K-12 Outreach |
Responsibilities:Designed and populated databases and co-developed an online data acquisition system to populate database with future data for the Alaska Statewide Mentor Project using software engineering principles. Conducted a data inventory for the departments numerous projects. Designed forms and workflows to simplify mentor paperwork, Assisted at workshops. Trained mentors on new system and provided customer support. Developed and populated resource archive and discussion forum for mentors. |
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Years | Employer | Title | Department |
Years: 2011 to 2013 | Employer: University of Alaska Fairbanks - International Arctic Research Center | Title: Data Archivist | Department: Computer Services |
Responsibilities:Worked as the ‘public face’ for the archive – recruiting and guiding users in entering data as well as representing the university and archive on the national level. Participated in EarthCube charrette. Designed new database schema to enhance ease of metadata entry, data searching and professional networking capabilities. Wrote a proposal, two white papers and published a peer reviewed paper. |
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Years | Employer | Title | Department |
Years: 2010 to 2011 | Employer: Fairbanks North Star Borough | Title: Data Collection Technician 2 | Department: Air Quality |
Responsibilities:Assist in air quality data collection. Organize and complete wood stove verifications for wood stove exchange program. Disseminate program information on the program to general public and assist in a public educational campaign regarding burning of dry wood. Assisted in measuring emissions of cold started vehicles. Assist in data analysis and creation of figures for presentation at scientific workshops. Assisted in measuring emissions of cold started vehicles. |
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Years | Employer | Title | Department |
Years: 2009 to 2010 | Employer: Math in a Cultural Context | Title: Post-doc Researcher | Department: |
Responsibilities:Assisted in writing curriculum for teaching math at a 6th grade level using Yup’ik cultural approaches and aligned with state and national standards. Assisted with data analysis of pre and post tests. |
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Years | Employer | Title | Department |
Years: 2008 to 2009 | Employer: U.S Geological Survey | Title: Assistant Observer and Scientific and Outreach Contractor | Department: |
Responsibilities:Took scientific readings of the geomagnetic field twice a week, entered data and posted forms to website. Created temperature plots, filed data cards, and dumped data from observatory computer to files.Created looping power point display for the magnetic Hazards group to show in USGS headquarters detailing importance of magnetic monitoring. Worked on Observatory Fact Sheets for distribution to public. Maintained running averages for magnetic baselines. Created maps to assist with Barrow observatory rebuild. Misc other as needed. |
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Years | Employer | Title | Department |
Years: 2007 to 2008 | Employer: Geophysical Institute | Title: Coordinator for Pioneer Park and Auroral Information Cabin | Department: |
Responsibilities:Created and presented Power Point presentations to the general public and modified shows to respond to public demand. Answered any questions about the aurora that people visiting Pioneer Park had. Collected data on number of people attending shows. Designed, handed out and collected surveys to determine public interest in the aurora. Determined from survey responses how best to present information. |
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Years | Employer | Title | Department |
Years: 2006 to 2008 | Employer: University of Alaska Fairbanks | Title: Adjunct Instructor | Department: |
Responsibilities:Taught the Math 107 Pre-Calculus and Math 108 Trigonometry classes. Chose book, planned out classes for semester and wrote up syllabus. Determined grading scheme. Conducted 4 lectures a week (precalc) or 2 lectures a week (trig) assigned homework and created tests, Collected and graded homework and tests. Did student evaluations.Practiced and taught laboratory experiments for undergraduate physics class. Collected and graded lab reports and homework. Provided feedback to update and correct lab design. |
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Years | Employer | Title | Department |
Years: 2006 to 2007 | Employer: International Foundation for Science Health and the Environment | Title: Research Scientist | Department: |
Responsibilities:Repaired and maintained HIPAS BaDCAT database (Background Data Collection and Analysis Task). Was responsible for collection of ELF data, generated during HIPAS Heater runs, using 2 permanently placed detectors and one mobile unit. Analyzed resulting data and compared resulting time series to background conditions. Wrote and a funded mini-task proposal for the Department of Defense. Assisted writing and editing 2 NSF proposals |
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Years | Employer | Title | Department |
Years: 2004 to 2006 | Employer: United States Geological Survey, Geomagnetism group | Title: Research Geophysicist | Department: |
Responsibilities:Did statistical analysis of over 70 years worth of Kp Index data to determine whether magnetic storms were random, with the publication of findings in professional journal. |
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Years | Employer | Title | Department |
Years: 1996 to 2004 | Employer: Geophysical Institute – University of Alaska Fairbanks | Title: Research Assistant | Department: |
Responsibilities:Operated a Bomem michaelson interferometer and analyzed resulting infrared aurora spectrum, publishing the results. Assembled a database of field aligned incoherent scatter radar data and used statistical analysis to characterize the ionosphere. Applied momentum equation and multivariate analysis to determine most likely means of upward ion acceleration. |
Government Experience
Years | Agency | Role | Description |
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Years: 2008 to 2009 | Agency: USGS | Role: Observer | Description: Took scientific readings of the geomagnetic field twice a week, entered data and posted forms to website. Created temperature plots, filed data cards, and dumped data from observatory computer to files. Created looping power point display for the magnetic Hazards group to show in USGS headquarters detailing importance of magnetic monitoring. Worked on Observatory Fact Sheets for distribution to public. Maintained running averages for magnetic baselines. Created maps to assist with Barrow observatory rebuild. Misc other as needed. |
Years: 2004 to 2006 | Agency: USGS | Role: Post-doctoral studies | Description: Did statistical analysis of over 70 years worth of Kp Index data to determine whether magnetic storms were random, with the publication of findings in professional journal. |
Years: 2013 to Present | Agency: USGS | Role: Observer | Description: Took scientific readings of the geomagnetic field once a week, entered data and posted forms onto FTP server. Tested out new methods of data taking. |
Career Accomplishments
Awards / Recognition |
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Paper chosen as an Editor's Choice: Space Weather. |
Publications and Patents Summary |
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Expert is primary author of 3 papers; she is second author of another paper. She coauthored a 6th-grade curriculum module. |
Additional Experience
Training / Seminars |
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Expert has taught classes in developmental math, taught Physics Labs and wrote curriculum material for laboratory manual, wrote 6th grade curriculum, and produced layman-level, educational shows on the aurora for the education of tourists, produced a presentation for the USGS geomagnetism group to show at the Reston headquarters lobby display, and taught workshops on software use. |
Other Relevant Experience |
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In addition to physics, Expert is skilled at data analysis, database work, presentation creation, teaching and public speaking. |
Fields of Expertise
atmospheric aurora, space environment, analysis, data management, adult education, analysis of experiments, ionophore, SQL database, database design, database searching, database metalanguage, database development, atmosphere, data, software engineering, plasma physics, physics, Datamanager, database, data analysis, atmospheric science