2022 Physics REU Student Cohort

In 2022, 22 students participated in the UW Bothell Physics REU Program. On August 19, 2022, students presented their research results at the School of STEM Summer 2022 Research Symposium. The 2022 UW Bothell Physics REU Program is supported by NSF REU award #2050928 with additional funding from other sources.

Below you will find information about the talented students who are working with us during summer 2022. Students listed in alphabetical order by last name.


Athena Baches

University of Washington, Physics and Astronomy

Mentor: Dr. Ansel Neunzert

Research project: Clustering Noise in the Search for Gravitational Waves


Raphael Bakin

University of Washington, Atmospheric Science and Meteorology

Mentor: Dr. Eric Salathé

Research project: The Influence of Climate Change on Atmospheric Rivers in the Pacific Northwest


AJ Brown

University of California Santa Cruz

Mentor: Dr. Eric Salathé

Research project: Convective Storms in the Pacific Northwest


Sergio Castillo

University of Texas at Austin, Physics (Space Sciences)

Mentor: Dr. Dan Jaffe

Research project: Air Pollution Difference between Outdoor and Indoor Environments Using Purple Air API


Mikel Charles, Peer mentor

BS Physics, University of Washington Bothell


Rachel Fulda

Auburn University, Physics

Mentor: Dr. Paola Rodrí­guez Hidalgo

Research project: Study of variability of extremely-high velocity outflows in quasars


Kamryn Griffith

Rochester Institute of Technology, Physics

Mentor: Dr. Ansel Neunzert

Research project: Using PEM Coherence to Investigate Unknown Combs


Amrita Jade

University of Utah

Mentors: Dr. Ansel Neunzert, Dr. Amy Robertson

Research project: Facilitating student sensemaking about momentum


Nick Kaneko

University of Washington Bothell, Physics

Mentor: Dr. Subramanian Ramachandran

Research project: Synthesis and Characterization of Titanium or Oxides of Titanium Decorated Graphite for Biodigester Derived Methane Reformation to Hydrogen


Davina Lazoritz

UW Bothell

Mentor: Dr. Eric Salathé

Research project: Rivers and High Streamflow Events in the Pacific Northwest


Derek Lee

UW Bothell, Physics

Mentor: Dr. Ansel Neunzert

Research project: Developing Software Tools to Improve Long-Duration Data Quality for the Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory


Fiona McDaniel

University of California Los Angeles, Physics

Mentor: Dr. Jeff Hazboun

Research project: Understanding LIGO Noise through Coherence and Peak Identification


Tzitzi Romo Perez

UW Bothell, Community Psychology and Physics

Mentor: Dr. Paola Rodrí­guez Hidalgo

Research project: Study of variability of extremely-high velocity outflows in quasars


Easton Pierce

UW Bothell

Mentor: Dr. Paola Rodrí­guez Hidalgo

Research project: Study of photo-inization of extremely-high velocity outflows in quasars


Veronica Powell

UW Bothell, Physics

Mentor: Dr. Paola Rodríguez Hidalgo

Research project: Searching for Extremely High-Velocity Outflows in the UV/Optical Spectra of Quasars that have Ultra Fast Outflows in the X-Ray Spectra


Anish Saurav Rijal

University of Washington

Mentor: Dr. Paola Rodrí­guez Hidalgo

Research project: Study of variability of extremely-high velocity outflows in quasars


Lorena Sanabria

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Astronomy and Astrophysics

Mentor: Dr. Paola Rodríguez Hidalgo

Research project: Study of variability of extremely-high velocity outflows in quasars


Monica Scotto

Bryn Mawr College, Physics and Transnational Italian Studies

Mentor: Dr. Subramanian Ramachandran

Research project: Characterization of Thermally Evaporated Thin Films


Samuel Siegel

Oberlin College, Physics

Mentor: Dr. Jeff Hazboun

Research project: Analyzing the variable scintillation of pulsar B1737+13 using a two-screen model


Alex Vong

University of Washington Bothell, Physics

Mentor: Dr. Paola Rodrí­guez Hidalgo

Research project: Study of variability of extremely-high velocity outflows in quasars


Abby Wang

University of Washington Bothell, Physics

Mentor: Dr. Ansel Neunzert

Research project: Clustering Spectral Noise in the Search for Gravitational Waves


Kalista Wayt

Kenyon College, Physics

Mentor: Dr. Jeff Hazboun

Research project: Generating an Early Indicator Optimal Statistic Tool for the IPTA


Vishal Yalla

North Creek High School

Mentor: Dr. Jeff Hazboun

Research project: Timing and noise model analysis for NANOGrav 12.5 year dataset pulsars

Funded by National Science Foundation Award #2050928.