What year are you in?
I’m in my second year.
What group are you in?
I’m in John Beacom’s particle astrophysics group.
Where are you from?
I’m from “the sweetest place on Earth”, Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Describe your research in 200 words or fewer.
The high-energy universe holds the secrets to understanding cataclysmic astronomical events, the origins of the most energetic particles, and even undiscovered physics. Exploring these areas of astrophysics involves understanding the production, behavior, propagation, and detection of different kinds of particles (messengers). As such, physicists and astronomers up and down the electromagnetic spectrum collaborate with neutrino, cosmic ray, and gravitational wave astronomers to understand the highest energy processes in the universe.
I’m most interested in applying microscopic particle physics to understand macroscopic astrophysical systems, especially through multi-messenger methods. Whether it be exploring neutrino astronomy, modeling gamma-ray bursts, or probing particle dark matter as in my undergraduate studies at Penn State, I am excited to learn about the universe through an astroparticle physics phenomenology lens.
Here at OSU, I’ve so far been reading books and papers to gain a deeper understanding of electromagnetic emission processes, cosmic ray physics, and astrophysical particle accelerators like pulsars and supernova remnants. Currently, I’m looking into a project on using solar neutrinos to study the structure of the Sun.
What have you done in physics that you are proud of?
While I am proud of my undergraduate research work and all that I have been learning as a graduate student, I have recently discovered a passion for mentoring. This past summer, I worked with other grad students on the Undergraduate Residential Summer Access (URSA) program within Polaris. This program is within the Physics and Astronomy departments at OSU and is intended to encourage cohort-building among historically underrepresented students within these departments.
During the summer, my fellow grad students and I developed several hour-long accessible and interactive lessons on various topics in physics and astronomy, including Newton’s laws, impostor syndrome, order of magnitude calculations, Python programming, and particle dark matter. Two weeks prior to the start of the fall semester, we introduced a group of incoming first-year undergraduate students to the campus, explored academic and social topics, and led them through a mini research project. This entire experience was incredibly rewarding, and working with and teaching students has deeply inspired me to make mentoring a priority in my professional life. I currently closely mentor Heidi G. and Caleb R., two undergraduate students in the Polaris mentorship course, as well as serve as an informal teacher for undergraduate students interested in particle physics and astrophysics.
What have you done outside of physics that you are proud of?
Over the last year and a half or so, I’ve gone through many life changes including graduating from undergrad, moving to Columbus, starting grad school, and taking time to learn about myself and my mental health. I’m proud of how much I have changed, all I’ve learned about myself, and the person I’m growing into. I’m also extremely proud of my relationship with my partner Kaylee who I have seen flourish at her personal hobbies and new job. Most recently, I’ve been trying out painting and am proud at the progress I’ve been making.
What are your future goals?
During my time at OSU, I hope to explore additional mentoring opportunities in astro/physics, including mentoring students on research projects and being more involved in Polaris. I’m also very excited to dive into research and explore many different topics in astroparticle physics. After graduating, I am considering research positions at national labs and pursuing a career as a professor.
Contact info:
Email: zaidel.3@osu.edu
Website: https://u.osu.edu/mzaidel/