I am a physics PhD student studying at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. I have been a graduate student here at ODU since the fall of 2019, and studying physics here as well since the fall of 2014 when I started my undergrad. Currently, I am involved in astrophysics research under Dr.Balša Terzić, associate professor and graduate program director. I have earned my Masters degree in the spring of 2021, and currently a PhD candidate. My primary interests are in the fields of astrophysics and astronautics, and I plan to pursue both once I finish my doctorate.
My primary research focuses on alternate solutions to the missing mass (dark matter) problem that has been widely reported in observational astronomy over the last century. More specifically, our group is exploring whether the nonlinearity in Einsteins' general relativity, manifesting as a self-interaction phenomenon, can adequately resolve the apparent descrepancy between the visible mass in galaxies and that predicted using traditional Newtonian calculations. Our first publication at ODU on the subject was submitted and published in 2020; the link to the Astrophysical Journal can be found below.
Besides academics, I enjoy many outdoor activities; a love that was kindled during my time working towards (and earning) my Eagle Scout. I hike whenever I can and when the weather is nice; I enjoy setting up camp in the middle of the woods or on the beach, long bike rides are my ideal form of exercise besides hitting the weights, and I like taking a kayak out just for the feel of the water. I've recently picked up SCUBA diving as a hobby and plan to gradually get more proficient as time goes on. I plan on documenting my time out on these adventures more in the future.
Below you can find a writup of my 1-page resume, or you can download a pdf version by clicking on the button below.
EDUCATION
Old Dominion University - Norfolk, VA
PhD Student, Department of Physics (Sp 2021 - present)
M.S. in Physics (Sp 2021)
B.S. in Physics w/ Honors, Minor in Math, Summa Cum Laude (Sp 2019)
AWARDS/CERTIFICATIONS
* College of Sciences Dominion Scholar, ODU (sp2021)(sp2022)
* Outstanding Senior Award in Physics, ODU (2019)
* Clifford L. and Lillian R. Adams Physics Scholarship, ODU (2017)(2018)
* SSI Open Water SCUBA Diver Certified (2019)
* BSA Eagle Scout (2014)
PUBLICATIONS
* "Significance of Gravitational Nonlinearities on the Dynamics of Disk Galaxies," A.Deur, C. Sargent, and B. Terzić 2020, Astrophysical Journal, 896, 94
FELLOWSHIPS & INTERNSHIPS/RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC) Graduate Research Fellowship (2022-2023)
*Project funding for "Exploring the Significance of Gravitational Self-Interaction in the Universe"
NASA Student Airborne Research Program (SARP)
*Conducted airborne research; utilized hyperspectral imaging to study Californian wildfires
ORGANIZATIONS
National Society of Collegiate Scholars (2015)
*Memberships offered to 1st and 2nd year students in the top 20% of their class
Golden Key International Honor Society (2017)
*Memberships offered to undergraduates in the top 15% of their class
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society (2018)
*Memberships offered to the top 7.5% of juniors and top 10% of seniors
Sigma Pi Sigma Physics Honor Society (2019)
*Membership offered to students with outstanding achievements in physics
(Pre-Graduate) WORK EXPERIENCE
Old Dominion University Research Foundation, ODU BLAST (2019)(2021)
*Aided with the Physics departments' presentations during the BLAST program
Old Dominion University Math Department, Tutor (Sp 2017)
*Tutored ODU students in the campus calculus lab
Old Dominion University Perry Honors College, Academic Coach (F 2018)
*Mentored ODU honors students in upper-level calculus and physics courses
Hercules Moving, Laborer (2010-2019)
*Demonstrated team cooperation in a physically demanding workplace