Campus Connection

Students earn statewide space fellowships

The Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium (WSGC) has awarded two UW-La Crosse students with fellowships. Kevin Slezak and Rebecca Taylor, both undergraduates, received awards in the highly competitive statewide competition. Slezak, a junior from Plover, received $3,500 for research “y-Radiation ‘Aging’ of Titanium Dioxide” to study how titanium dioxide is affected by exposure to gamma radiation. Slezak says titanium dioxide is a promising material to act as the transparent conducting oxide layer within thin film solar cells. “Thin film solar cells present many desired characteristics over conventional solar cells,” he explains. “Solar power technologies are a necessity for the function of nearly all space instruments currently in use. Solar power is also a rapidly growing industry for energy production on earth.” Slezak, a 2013 graduate of Stevens Point Area Senior High, is majoring in physics and engineering, with a minor in mathematics. Taylor, a sophomore from La Crosse, received $4,000 for a project “Finding New Galactic Interstellar Neutral Hydrogen Shells.” Taylor says the goal is to increase the number and diversity of known interstellar hydrogen shells that are supernovae remnants. These shells reflect the large-scale recycling program in the galaxy where elements like carbon, oxygen and iron are transported from the interiors of stars to interstellar clouds that could someday form new planets. All life on Earth relies on materials that once resided in the cores of stars. Taylor, a 2014 graduate of La Crosse Central High School, is majoring in physics with an emphasis in astronomy and mathematics. Eric Barnes, a physics professor who is UWL’s institutional representative to the WSCG, says students are typically involved in a research project with a Physics Department faculty member for at least one semester before having the background and focus to write their own proposal. The proposals are typically collaborative, Barnes explains, with faculty assisting with forming the plan, editing the proposal, and providing materials and assistance during implementation. “We do expect the students to be the main drivers of the work,” he notes. “They put the hours in to solve the problems and they will eventually present results at the state-wide Wisconsin Space Conference.” Barnes says the experience of submitting a proposal is key for helping to shape young scientists. “This is what professionals do regularly,” he explains. “Perhaps the most important aspect is dealing with the unknown. It's why we like science, but classwork doesn't really give anyone exposure to real open-ended questions. Research opportunities like this are key for students to get a glimpse of what it's like to do science.” Barnes says an average of two UWL students and faculty routinely receive WSGC research funding support each year. “UWL students and faculty have benefited greatly from WSGC Undergraduate Research Fellowships and Research Infrastructure grants,” says Barnes.