2013 Fall Graduate Student News

Congratulations to second-year LPL graduate student Ali Bramson, recipient of a NSF Graduate Research Program Fellowship (GRPF). This prestigious fellowship provides funding and tuition deferment for 3 years. Ali's academic advisor is Professor Shane Byrne. Three other LPL students have continued GRPF funding:

Melissa Dykhuis (advisor: Rick

Kudos to LPL graduate students with new or continuing NESSF (NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship) Awards:

New for 2013

Patricio Becerra, "Wavelet Analysis of Martian Polar Stratigraphy from HiRISE Topography" (advisor: Shane Byrne) James Keane, "Stability of Asteroidal Regolith During Planetary Close Approaches" (advisor: Isamu Matsuyama

First-year graduate student Tad Komacek was named the recipient of the 2013 Carson Fellowship Award, which provides one academic year of support, including salary, tuition, and a small supply/travel stipend. Tad is currently working on modeling the effects of ohmic dissipation in hot Jupiter atmospheres, being advised by Dr. Tamara

LPL graduate student Catherine Elder received the 2013 Shandel summer travel award. The Shandel award funding helped support Catherine's travel to ETH Zurich, where she spent two weeks working with Professor Paul Tackley to model mantle convection in Io’s mantle. Professor Adam Showman is Catherine's advisor. More about Catherine's

Tony Nottke is the recipient of the Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award for Spring 2013. Tony earned the award for his work as a GTA for Professor Hal Larson's PTYS 170A1 course. He is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Chemistry, with a minor in Planetary Sciences. His advisor

LPL graduate student Melissa Dykhuis and husband Nathan welcomed the safe arrival of Matthew James Dykhuis on July 27. Matthew was born at 6:56 a.m. and weighed in at 8 lbs 5 oz, 21 inches. Matthew has already attended several LPL events and is looking forward to his first Bratfest.