OBJECTIVE

Postdoctoral researcher in experimental plasma physics

EDUCATION

University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 2002-present
Ph.D., Plasma Physics, expected Spring 2009. Thesis Advisor: Craig Kletzing
Lawrence University, Appleton, WI. 1998-2002
B.A., Physics, minor in Mathematics

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Graduate Research, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 2004-present (Advisors: Dr.
Craig Kletzing and Dr. Fred Skiff)
• Conducted laboratory experiments designed to study basic propagation
properties of shear Alfvén waves, including kinetic effects
• Designed a diagnostic technique to measure the electron distribution function
using the absorption of whistler waves
• Tested the ability of shear Alfvén waves to modify the electron distribution
function
• Collaborated with staff from the Basic Plasma Science Facility at the
University of California- Los Angeles while conducting experiments in the
Large Plasma Device (LaPD)
Undergraduate Research, Lawrence University, Appleton, WI, 2000-2002 (Advisor:
Dr. Matthew Stoneking)
• Explored equilibria conditions for a pure-electron plasma confined within a
toroidal magnetic field
• Designed, constructed, and installed a series of wall probes to examine the
spatial and temporal character of low-frequency oscillations within the
plasma for a variety of plasma conditions

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 2002-2003
• Taught laboratory courses in
o Algebra-based physics
o Calculus-based physics for engineers
o Calculus-based physics for introductory-level physics majors
o Electronics
• Introduced students to proper laboratory procedures and conduct
• Conducted discussion sessions
• Assessed formal laboratory reports
• Assisted students in troubleshooting student-designed Electronics final
projects
Physics Laboratory Assistant, Lawrence University, Appleton, WI, 2000-2001
• Assisted with teaching and equipment troubleshooting in introductory-level
physics courses

HONORS AND AWARDS

•Goertz/Nicholson Memorial Scholarship Award, Department of Physics and
Astronomy, University of Iowa, 2008
• Outstanding student poster award, 9th International Workshop on the
Interrelationship between Plasma Experiments in Laboratory and Space
(IPELS), Cairns, Australia, 2007
• Selected to Sigma Pi Sigma physics honor society, 2001
• Trustee Scholar, Lawrence University, 1998-2002

COMPUTER SKILLS

• Windows, LINUX operating systems
• Extensive experience writing analysis programs using IDL and MATLAB

PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

• “Tests of collision operators using laboratory measurements of shear Alfvén
wave dispersion and damping,” D.J. Thuecks, C.A. Kletzing, F. Skiff, S.R.
Bounds, S. Vincena, in process, 2008
• “Measurements of inertial limit Alfvén wave dispersion for finite perpendicular
wave number,” C.A. Kletzing, D.J. Thuecks, F. Skiff, S.R. Bounds, S.
Vincena, in process, 2008
• “Electron plasmas in a ‘partial’ torus,” M.R. Stoneking, P.W. Fontana, R.L.
Sampson, D.J. Thuecks, Phys. Plasmas 9, 766 (2002)

CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

• “Electron plasma confinement in a partially toroidal trap”, M.R. Stoneking,
P.W. Fontana, R.L. Sampson, D.J. Thuecks, AIP Conf. Proc. 606, 671 (2002)

REFERENCES

• Dr. Craig Kletzing e-mail: craig-kletzing@uiowa.edu Research Advisor
• Dr. Frederick Skiff e-mail: frederick-skiff@uiowa.edu Research Advisor
• Dr. Stephen Vincena e-mail: vincena@physics.ucla.edu Research Collaborator , UCLA