Sean Sandborgh

Currently in undergraduate work for a triple major in physics, biochemistry and honors.

Expected time of graduation: May, 1999


Hi....I'm now a senior here at Montana State University in physics, biochemistry and honors. Along with the heavy course load associated with my majors, I also am employed by the MSU Solar Physics Group, the Montana Space Grant Consortium, and the Center for Biofilm Engineering. Sounds exciting, huh???

In my work in the solar physics group, I am currently studying long term features of the active regions of the Sun with Dr. Richard Canfield. This is being accomplished through the use of an IDL program which I created to help identify flux systems and then plot them on a Carrington coordinate map for further analysis. Thus, through the study of many maps created from consecutive Carrington rotations, we can note any long term systems which are present. I presented a research poster at the 28th meeting of the AAS Solar Physics Division on this research in June, 1997 and again at the AGU/SPD meeting in May 1998 in Boston, MA.

For the Montana Space Grant Consortium, I am working this semester as a student presenter for the new NASA spacecraft, Mars Pathfinder which was successfully launched in December of last year. For this job, I am one of about ten students who travel to Montana K-12 schools and present information about the spacecraft and its mission.

Lastly, for the Center for Biofilm Engineering, I am currently working with Dr. Michael Franklin as a research geneticist. In this position, I am currently studying the regulation of genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an organism which is often seen in fatal cases of cystic fibrosis.

I have also had experence working with the USDA Agricultural Research Service in a corn genetics lab headed by Dr. Victor Raboy, as well as spending the summer of 1996 working under Dr. George Parks and Dr. Mitch Brittnacher in the University of Washingto n's Geophysics Research Group. Click here to see a movie I helped make for the geophysics web page.

Over the course of my college career, I have been honored with numerous awards and scholarships, including:

  • M.S.U. Presidential Scholar
  • National Collegiate Honors Council Student Presenter, October 31, 1996 and November 2, 1997
  • Elected Member of the Executive Council of the National Collegiate Honors Council, 1997-2000
  • Montana Energy Research and Development Insitute Scholarship Recipient
  • Council for Undergraduate Research Student Presenter for a Scientific Poster Session on Capitol Hill, April 10, 1997 and April 20, 1998
  • 1997 Barry M. Goldwater Scholar in Mathematics, Science and Engineering
  • Participant of the 1998 Goddard Space Flight Center NASA Academy, May 30-August 8, 1998
  • Recipient of the Goddard Award for Outstanding Research Work, NASA Academy
  • I am also active in the following activities or committees on my campus:

  • Society of Physics Students (Vice-President)
  • Undergraduate Chemistry Society
  • Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Faternity (Treasurer)
  • Undergraduate Physics Curriculum Committee
  • EpiCenter Building Planning Committee
  • Presidential Scholarship Selection Committee
  • In my spare time (when I can find any), I enjoy golfing, skiing, soccer, and hiking. Click here to see some hiking images of myself and a group of solar physicists I led during the 28th AAS-SPD Meeting (yes, that's me in Photo 9).


    Email at:
    sandborg@mithra.physics.montana.edu

    Go to Solar Physics Group page

    Page maintained by Sean Sandborgh

    Last Updated: November 25, 1998 ('Bout time too!)