Academic Pursuits

MaryJane attended the State University of New York at Albany where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, a Bachelor of Arts degree in East Asian Studies with a focus on Korean language, and a minor in Mathematics.  She researched under Dr. William Lanford of the Physics Department at the University at Albany.

Her main research project involved light element analysis using low, mid, and high range energies with nuclear reaction analysis (NRA) to examine the results.  To achieve this, she and her research partner use a particle accelerator producing an ion beam to strike a silicon-based target.  Using deuterium to cause the nuclear reaction, the results of the reaction can be analyzed using spectral analysis software.  The goal of the project is to determine which energy range(s) are optimal using NRA to determine what light elements are present in a silicon-based sample.

Other academic interests include a focus on the Korean language and its hierarchical structure.  MaryJane speaks conversational Korean and studied three years of Korean language and Korean culture.  She has also studied some Korean linguistics at a basic level.  She also speaks near-native fluent Spanish.

Aside from studying Korean and physics, MaryJane is also a Mathematics minor and was a registered University Tutor.  MaryJane plans on attending graduate school within the next year.