Dr. Shauna Sallmen

Astronomy Research with Dr. Sallmen

Last updated August, 2006

OVERVIEW

Dr. Sallmen is active in several areas of astrophysics (see the end of this document for her background). Students interested in astrophysics can work with Dr. Sallmen on a variety of projects. All are currently related to the interstellar medium (ISM).

STUDENT PROJECTS: What can I do?

Current and ongoing: Since Fall 2003, students have worked with Dr. Sallmen on several different projects (funded variously by the National Science Foundation, Research Corporation, UW-La Crosse, Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium, and NASA):

A search for neutral hydrogen shells using the SETHI@home database of radio data (originally taken for the SETI@home project)
Imaging shells in the Interstellar Medium using the WIYN 0.9-m telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory
Spectroscopic absorption-line studies of the ISM, both ground-based (optical) and space-based (Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer)
An investigation of hot gas in the ISM using NASA's Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer satellite
Data reduction and analysis of archival radio pulsar data (from NRAO's 85-foot telescope in Green Bank, WV) on the Vela pulsar to investigate the properties of the ISM

For an introduction and overview of my current research on interstellar shells, click here

Links to Tutorials on these subjects

RESEARCH -- For CREDIT and/or $$

I can get credit for this?

Students are encouraged to enroll in PHY 498 -- Astronomy Research, a course designed to introduce and incorporate students into some of the research opportunities described here. The Honors Astronomy Emphasis degree requires this course.

Yeah, credit is nice, but Show Me the Money!

In addition, funding for research is available from a variety of sources. Students may apply for funding through both the University (UW-L Undergraduate Research Grants) and the College of Science and Allied Health ( CSAH Dean's Distinguished Summer Fellowship ). For a summary of UW-L research funding, see the CSAH informational website. There are also funding opportunites through the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium undergraduate research programs. Certain projects may, at times, also be funded through external agencies.

LOOK AT WHO'S BEEN INVOLVED, WHERE THEY ARE NOW, and WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY

ASTRONOMY RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES AWAY FROM UW-L

For those wishing to pursue astronomical research elsewhere, related opportunities are available through:

National Science Foundation's Research Experience for Undergraduates (See list of Astronomy REU Sites)
NASA's Undergraduate Student Research Program
Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium rocket or high-altitude balloon teams

Note that this list is likely to be incomplete

DR. SALLMEN'S RESEARCH BACKGROUND

Ph.D. Thesis: Her doctoral dissertation was on Millisecond Pulsars: Decoding Magnetospheres, but more recently her work has focussed on the Interstellar Medium (ISM).

Dr. Sallmen's Publications: A list of publications by Dr. Sallmen may be found by searching the ADS (NASA Astrophysics Data System) database.

Last updated August, 2006

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Comments To: Shauna Sallmen