Stephanie M. Fawcett

(Last updated: Spring 2005)

sfawcett@uwyo.edu
University of Wyoming
Physics and Astronomy Dept.
1000 E. University Ave.
Laramie, WY 82071

Education

University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
Candidate: Masters in Physics

University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado
B.A. Physics ~Magna Cum Laude


Research Experience

Honors Thesis (May 2003 - May 2005)

Advisor: Dr. Erica Ellingson (Center for Astrophysics and Space Astronomy, University of Colorado)
Topic: Unresolved X-Ray Sources in Intermediate Redshift Cluster Fields
received Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) grant for summer 2003

Instrumentation Assistant for the Near-Infrared Camera and Fabry-Perot Spectrometer (NIC-FPS), (May-October 2004)

Advisors: Dr. Jim Green and Fred Hearty (Center for Astrophysics and Space Astronomy, University of Colorado) and John Barentine (Apache Point Observatory)
Co-wrote commissioning plan for the instrument with John Barentine
Assisted in Instrument building and testing

Primary Observer (summer 2001- present)

Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Advisors: Dr. Phillip Bennett (University of Colorado) and Dr. Stephenson Yang (University of Victoria)
Project: Fundamental Parameters of Intermediate and High Mass Stars
received Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) grant for summer 2001

University of Victoria Summer Internship (summer 2002)

Advisor: Dr. Stephenson Yang (University of Victoria)
Project: Fundamental Parameters of Intermediate and High Mass Stars
20 nights of observing
Audited Summer undergraduate course in Spectroscopy
Collaborated on extra solar planet research with Russell Robb by collecting data in Boulder, CO.

Independent Research Project (Spring 2001)

Advisor: Dr. Alexander Brown (Center for Astrophysics and Space Astronomy, University of Colorado)
Topic: Eclipsing Binary Stars
Determined the period of four Algol eclipsing binary stars.
Gathered data at Sommers-Bausch Observatory 24-inch telescope and reduced using IDL


Awards and Honors

Dean's List, University of Colorado (Fall 2002, Fall 2003, Spring 2004, Fall 2004)
Sigma Xi The Scientific Research Society, Certificate of Recognition Presented by the University of Colorado Chapter for Excellence in Science, 2001.
Outstanding Physics Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Colorado/Wyoming Junior Academy of Science, 2001 Senior.
The 2000 National Young Astronomer Award, Third Place, For Outstanding Achievements in Astronomy, Presented by the Astronomical League, July 22, 2000


Work Experience

Sommers-Bausch Observatory Assistant Manager (Volunteer 1998-2001, Employee 2001-2004), University of Colorado, Boulder, CO.


Observing Experience

Optical Spectroscopy of Cepheid Variables: Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, Victoria, BC, 1.2 meter telescope (1-2 times a year from 2001-present)
Optical Spectroscopy of Galaxies in Galaxies Clusters: Apache Point Observatory 3.5 meter telescope, using the DIS III spectrograph (1-2 nights per semester from 2003-2005)
Optical Imaging and Optical Spectroscopy: University of Colorado, Sommers-Bausch Observatory 24-inch telescope, (2000-2004).
Optical Imaging: University of Arizona Advanced Astronomy Camp: Mt. Bigelow Observatory 60-inch telescope, 1999


Publications

"Unresolved X-Ray Sources in Intermediate Redshift Cluster Fields", Fawcett, S., Ellingson, E., & Hicks, A.K., in prep for publication in ApJ 2005
"Unresolved X-Ray Sources in Intermediate Redshift Cluster Fields", Fawcett, S., Ellingson, E., & Hicks, A., 2004, BAAS 204.090
"Fundamental Parameters of Intermediate and High Mass Stars", Bennett, P.D., Brown, A., Fawcett, S.M., Yang, S., and Bauer, W.H., A.S.P. Conference Series 318, 2004.


Conference Contributions

"Unresolved X-Ray Sources in Intermediate Redshift Cluster Fields," poster presentation, 204th Meeting of the American Astronomical Society (AAS), Denver, Colorado, May 30-June 3, 2004.
Attended: Astronomical Society of the Pacific 116th Annual Meeting, Berkeley, California, September 2004
Attended: Astronomical Society of the Pacific 115th Annual Meeting, Berkeley, California, September 2003
Attended: Astronomical Society of the Pacific 113th Annual Meeting, St. Paul, Minnesota, July 13, 2001
Attended: Astronomical Society of the Pacific 110th Annual Meeting, Albuquerque, NM, 1998


Computer Skills

Interactive Data Language (IDL)
UNIX
Image Reduction and Analysis Facility (IRAF)
Power Point


Organizations and Activities

  • University of Colorado Society of Physics Students (SPS), 2001-2004.
  • University of Colorado Women in Physics, 2001-2002.
  • University of Colorado Cool Stars Group, 2001-2004.
  • University of Colorado Fiske Planetarium show: "Are Old Galaxies Really Dead", Summer 2004.
  • Longmont Astronomical Society Talk on AGN in Galaxy Clusters, Fall 2004.
  • Longmont Astronomical Society Talk on Eclipsing Binary Stars, Summer 2001
  • Volunteer for Wyoming Girl Scouts "Astronomy Night" at Cactus Flats, Colorado, Summer 2002.
  • Participated in a University of Colorado Sleep Study:
    "Effects of Chronic Sleep Loss on Daytime Cognitive and Neurobehavioral Functions." Principle Investigator: Dr. Kenneth P. Wright Jr.
  • University of Colorado Chemistry Lab Assistant, Dr. Margaret Asirvatham, 2000.
  • Choreographed modern dances for Songfest Performance, University of Colorado, 2002-2004.
  • Danced in The Perry-Mansfield Repertory Dance Company, Steamboat Spring, Colorado.
  • Downhill Ski Racing for the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club