Melissa Rasmussen

Recent Physics Graduate from Utah State University

github
linkedin

About Me

I'm recent college graduate, who double majored in physics (opens new window) and computer science (opens new window) at Utah State University. I currently work at Los Alamos National Laboratory, in a year-long position in CCS-7.

I've contributed to a number of research projects, from computer science middle school curriculum to gamma-ray pulsars, to explore and expand my research capabilities.

I focus my expertise into computational physics research - simulations, visualizations, analysis of large datasets. I will begin a PhD in physics in fall 2023.

My extra energies are put toward efforts of STEM outreach via fun and engaging puzzles for the analytical mind. I want to provide the opportunities to explore scientific problems that I would have enjoyed as a young child.

News

  • [August 2022] Post-bac begun at Los Alamos National Laboratory
  • [May 2022] Graduation with bachelor's degree
  • [April 2022] Award received for Outstanding Senior in Computer Science
  • [April 2022] Research presented at April APS meeting in section for Computational Astrophysics
  • [January 2022] Research presented at virtual Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics
  • [January 2022] Tutoring begun at the USU Computer Science Coaching Center (opens new window)
  • [January 2022] Classes begun in quantum mechanics and scientific visualizations
  • [December 2021] Applications sent in for PhD programs in Physics
  • [October 2021] Assistance rendered as TA for Computer Methods in Physics class
  • [August 2021] Classes begun in quantum mechanics and time series data mining
  • [August 2021] Internship concluded at Stony Brook University
  • [June 2021] NSF/GPAP Summer School (opens new window) completed, on plasma physics for astrophysicists
  • [June 2021] Tabletop Games paper accepted to Computer Science Education journal

Education

  • B.S. Physics, B.S. Computer Science - Utah State University
    Sept 2018 - May 2022

Projects

→ Full list

Examining Reaction Networks used in Convection Models in Helium Shells of Sub-Chandrasehkar White Dwarfs

This project simulates the explosion of a dense white dwarf star. In the model, a helium layer surrounds the star. Initial ignition of the helium layer can cause the helium, then the star itself, to burn and explode as a type of supernova. Computer simulations of this phenomemon, by necessity, ignore elements or chemical reactions, in order to simplify the problem enough to be tractable. In this work, I explore the sensitivity of the explosion to such modifications by comparing complicated simulations with their simpler counterparts.

Simulation Code (opens new window)

Last Updated: 1/22/2023, 11:53:31 PM