Physics Alumni in National Labs

Achille Nicolletti

Education:

BS Physics Honors (Cleveland State University – 2011) 
BS EE Honors (Cleveland State University – 2011) 
PhD in EE (Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland – 2017)

Experience:

Currently: Senior Research Fellow, 
CERN – Geneva,   Switzerland

Why CSU Physics?

“I would say that the CSU Physics department was very dynamic and challenged me in a way that strengthened my continued thirst for knowledge while preparing me for my journey as a scientist in the real world.”

Current Occupation

“I am working at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (know as CERN) as a senior research fellow. My research is on creating optimization algorithms to develop robust controllers for systems that possess uncertainties.”

Vincenzo LaSalvia

Education:

BA Physics (Cleveland State University – 2009)

Experience:
Currently: Process Engineer, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) – Golden,  CO

Why CSU Physics?

“The department and faculty of CSU Physics creates an atmosphere of both education and experience that prepares students for meaningful and impactful careers -- CSU Physics does not simply graduate students, it motivates them to become leaders and innovators.”

Current Occupation

“My position includes the scientific study of monocrystalline silicon-based photovoltaic materials, processes, and devices for high-efficiency solar power conversion.”

Ryan McDonough

Education:

BS Physics Honors (Cleveland State University – 2010)                   
BS in Chemistry Honors (Cleveland State University – 2010) 
BA in Philosophy (Cleveland State University – 2010)     

Experience:
Currently: Programmer, DB Consulting Group, INC 
       NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland 2013-
       Spectrum Analyst, NASA Glenn Research Center, 2015-
CSU SPS Treasurer (2007-2009)
NSF’s REU student at Louisiana State University (2008)

Current Research

“In his current position, Ryan uses his physics expertise in several areas including: the study of radiofrequency scattering from rain droplets, the study of the attenuation and interaction of radiowaves inside buildings, and interactions of low frequency radiowaves with the Earth’s ionosphere. These tasks have helped to support the work to protect NASA’s use of radiowave communications systems by establishing technical recommendations published by international organizations such as the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).”

Phil Dee

Education:

BS Physics Honors (Cleveland State University – 2013)
BE Civil Engineering (Cleveland State University – 2013)
PhD in Physics (University of Tennessee, Knoxville – 2021)
Currently: Distinguished Saff Fellow, 
Oak Ridge National Lab – Oak Ridge Tennessee

Experience:

CSU SPS Chapter President (2013 – 2014)
D.O.E. SCGSR Fellow, Oak Ridge National Lab (2018-2019)
Why CSU Physics?

“The department has carefully fostered a well-rounded learning environment centered around giving undergraduates genuine opportunities to perform research, teach physics to other students, and hold positions in a nationally recognized chapter of the Society of Physics Students.”

Current Research

primary focus on discovering new superconductors using quantum many-body theory and machine learning-based approaches.

Jessica Schwan

Education:

BA Physics (Cleveland State University – 2008)                   
BS in Math Honors (Cleveland State University – 2008) 
MS Math (Cleveland State University – 2010)

Experience:
Currently: Mathematical Statistician, 
US Census Bureau – Washington DC 

In her own words:

“Having some experience doing (undergraduate) research (at CSU) helped me to realize that I love research. I really love discovering the best or most efficient or fastest method for gathering data. I feel that this experience will really help me with my chosen career, as it directly relates to gathering data.”

Brian Vyhnalek

Education:

BS Physics Honors (Cleveland State University – 2009)                   
BS in Math (Cleveland State University – 2009) 
MS Physics (Cleveland State University – 2014)
MS Electrical Engineering (Cleveland State University – 2014) 

Experience:

Currently: Researcher at NASA Glenn, Advanced High Frequency Branch, Cleveland 

Current Research

“A full time civil servant at the NASA Glenn Research Center, in the Advanced High Frequency Branch, Brian is working in two areas: 1) Research related to atmospheric turbulence modeling and characterization for adaptive optical and optical communication systems; 2) Applications of superconductors, ferroelectrics, and other exotic materials for the development of high-performance and novel devices for microwave, mm wave, THz and optical comm systems (amplifiers, oscillators, resonators, filters, phase shifters, photon detectors, etc ).”