Physics Student Wins with Research

UCF Physics doctoral student Jenna Crowell was the winner of the best student poster award at the Asia Oceania Geosciences Society (AOGS) annual meeting this summer.

Supported by NASA’s Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI), Crowell attended the annual meeting in Beijing, China from July 31- August 5. Her presented poster won the top prize for the Planetary Science category in the student poster presentations.

Crowell studies the properties of asteroids under the guidance of UCF physics professor Yan Fernandez, Ph.D. Currently she is studying 1627 Ivar which had a close approach to Earth in 2013. Her research group was able to obtain CCD lightcurves, delay-Doppler images, Doppler spectra and near-IR spectra. Using these data, they enhanced the current shape model of Ivar and are currently working on the thermophysical model. Their data cover a wide range of viewing geometries and phase angles, which allows them to link these data with specific locations on the asteroid and look for possible surface heterogeneities.

The AOGS recognized Crowell’s exceptional work through this research and named her the best student poster award in the Planetary Science category at the conference.

Established in 2003, AOGS promotes geosciences and its application for the benefit of humanity, specifically in Asia and Oceania and with an overarching approach to global issues. The society holds annual conventions to provide the opportunity of exchanging scientific knowledge and discussion to address important geo-scientific issues among academia, and research institutions and the public.

In addition to receiving an award certificate, Jenna will receive a complimentary registration to attend the AOGS annual meeting next year.