Hello NMT participants, & welcome to SSP 2021!!! – we’re thrilled to be your TAs this summer, and we’ve spent the past week busy getting things ready. Soon, this blog will be transformed into a record of the memories that you all have yet to make, but for now, here’s just a bit about us before we meet “in person” (though you’ll also hear it from us directly tomorrow!)
Abby M.
Hi everyone! I did SSP at CU Boulder way back in 2016 and had a fabulous time making friends and staring in awe at my asteroid all summer long. I’m so excited to come back to SSP and I can’t wait to get to know you all!
I’m a rising senior (sort of) at Yale. I took a semester off this year, so I only have one more semester of college to go – wish me luck! I’m doing a double major in Astrophysics and Statistics & Data Science and I’m planning on getting a PhD in astrophysics after I (eventually) graduate. I do a bunch of research, most recently in star formation and galaxy evolution so feel free to ask about that! Outside of space, I spend lots of time tutoring at Yale, giving science tours for the admissions office, and working to make our astro department more inclusive.
I ‘m originally from Chevy Chase, MD – right outside of DC – where I will be this summer when I’m not at the beach in Delaware. I have an older brother who is baseball famous (ask me if you’re interested!) and two parents who still refuse to get me a dog. Please send me pictures of your dogs.
I love baking, watching TV, laughing with my friends, taking slow and leisurely runs outside, and chewing unhealthy amounts of Trident Layers gum.
Katie D.
Hey all! I’m originally from Los Angeles, but have been continuously surprised that I’m still in Boston ever since college ended. I’m an alum of SSP NMT (*cough best campus cough*) and have TA’d a few times now.
I love to read (but make less time for it every year); to learn languages (but forget them faster); and to participate in puzzlehunts with my friends. That said, I’m always excited to try out new things and perspectives, so please send any on your mind my way!
Michael W.
Hi, I’m Michael! I am a physics teacher in NY/NJ. I enjoy choral singing, TTRPGs, cooking, and playing with my cats in my free time.
Tristan W.
Hi all! This is my first summer as a TA for SSP, although I have had previous involvement with a “fork program” of SSP – the Yale Summer Program in Astrophysics (YSPA) – as a student (2017) and as a TA (2020).
I am going into my 4th year of undergraduate education at Yale University where I am pursuing majors in physics and in mathematics. I have been conducting research with the Urry Group on Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) for the past two years. My most recent project which I will resume after SSP involves finding the structure of clouds of gas and dust surrounding an AGN by modeling its spectrum. I have also held a couple of campus jobs tutoring mathematics, and I look forward to another assignment this fall.
I grew up in Irvine, CA with my parents, my brother, three cats, a 29-year-old parrot, and a menagerie of other small pets. Outside of academics, I am an avid percussionist and martial artist. I currently a member of the Yale Handbell Ensemble and the Yale Precision Marching Band, and during high school I had the opportunity to perform 171 times. I have practiced Kempo for 16 years; I hold a second degree black belt. Martial arts also granted me my first opportunity to teach for which I am very grateful.
We’re all more than happy to discuss anything above (and more!), & you can also read about the senior faculty in their bios on Canvas. Get ready for an awesome summer, and see you in less than 24 hours – we really can’t wait to meet you all!
Your TAs,
Abby, Katie, Michael, and Tristan
