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Lucy Steffes

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Astrophysics and Physics Undergraduate at UW-Madison

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Email: ljsteffes@wisc.edu

CV

Educaton

Education

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Bachelor's of Science in Astronomy-Physics and Physics

Certificates in German, Mathematics, and History

GPA: 3.91

Dean's List: All Semesters

Awards

  • Poster award at 3rd Annual Barry Goldwater Research Symposium - 2023

  • David H. Durra Scholarship - 2023

  • Paul J. Schrag Prize for the best essay in German-Jewish history - 2023

  • Fay Ajzenberg-Selove Award - 2023

  • Goldwater Scholarship - 2022

  • Undergraduate Achievement Award for Excellence in German - Spring 2022

  • Gerald W. and Tui G. Hedstrom Scholarship - Spring 2022

  • Hilldale Undergraduate Research Fellowship - 2021

  • Freshman Scholarship in Engineering Mechanics - 2021

  • L. Moulton Bashford Scholarship - 2021

  • Lawless L and Mathea Helen Mollere Scholarship -2021

  • Dorothy Marshall to honor Charles J Marshall Frawley Scholarship - 2020

  • George P and Clara C Ryan Engineering Scholarship - 2020

  • Undergraduate Research Scholars Program - 2020-21

  • STEM Forward Elizabeth Brauer Scholarship - 2020-23

  • Leaders in Engineering Excellence and Diversity Scholarship - 2020-21

  • Wisconsin Academic Excellence Scholarship - 2020-23

Awards
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Myself pictured with the late UW-Madison Chancellor Dr. Rebecca Blank upon being awarded the Goldwater Scholarship

UW-Madison Goldwater Scholars and the late UW-Madison Chancellor, Dr. Rebecca Blank

Left to Right: Elias Kemna, Sarah Fahlberg, Chancellor Blank, Me, Samuel Neuman

Work Experience

Work Experience

  • Research Intern (Berkeley SETI Research Center) (May - August 2023)

    • Designed a pipeline (ARTISTIC) to search for anomalous hits within COSMIC data​

    • Data collected during the third epoch of VLASS

    • Mapped calibration sources and color-coded calibration sources by the grade of calibration 

  • Research Assistant (UW-Madison) (September 2020 - present)

    • Attends weekly research meetings with Stanimirovic group, presents papers, conducts independent research, contributes to discussion, assists other group members as necessary​

  • German Instructor (German School of Madison) (July 2022 - present)

    • Teaches German vocabulary and grammar to 10 students in 2nd and 3rd grade on a weekly basis​

    • Creates worksheets, projects, games, and quizzes and communicates weekly progress and assignments with parents

  • Research Assistant (Green Bank Observatory) (May - August 2021, May - August 2022)

    • Conducted research on the Helix Nebula, attended weekly talks, presented work through oral presentations and written work, collaborated with other summer students on smaller projects​

  • Grader (UW-Madison) (January 2022 - May 2022)

    • Graded projects and essays for 200 students in Astronomy 103- the introduction to Astronomy course for non-science majors​

  • Student Shift Lead, Cashier (UW-Madison) (August 2020 - December 2021)

    • Cashier in Four Lakes Dining Hall during COVID-19 Pandemic. Ensured social distancing took place and facilities remained clean.​

    • Managed other student workers, ran any food stations as necessary, opened and closed stations, ensured stations remained clean and sanitary

  • Lifeguard, Water Safety Instructor (Milwaukee Recreation Aquatics) (June 2018 - July 2021)

    • Supervised open swim sessions, swim meets, swim lessons, and competitive swim team practices​

    • Taught water safety classes to up to 12 students following the Red Cross curriculum and swim lessons for people with motor and cognitive disabilities

  • Tutor (January 2020 - June 2021)

    • Tutored high school students and other undergraduates in math ranging from Algebra I through Calculus I, particularly when transitioning to online learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic​

  • Babysitter (February 2014 - December 2021)

    • Babysitter for 1-4 children, planned activities, cooked, put children to bed, cleaned, and kept children safe

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Student Organizations and Extracurriculars

The 2022 UW-Madison Goldwater Scholars

Left to Right: Elias Kemna, Me, Samuel Neuman, Sarah Fahlberg

The 2021 Green Bank Observatory REU students in front of the GBT

Left to right: Julian Ramos, Dan Hancock, Robert Coleman, Claire Finley, Me, Claire Cook, Laura Leyzorek, Rebekah Polen

Student Orgs and Extracurriculars

Me, on top of the Green Bank Telescope

The Stanimirovic Group on the roof of Sterling Hall

Left to right: Jakob Mills, Madisen Johnson, Jarod McCoy, Me, Aishani Das, Snezana Stanimirovic, Hongxing Chen, Trey Wenger, Nickolas Pingel

  • Astronomy Club

    • Vice President (2022-24)​, Member (2021- Present)

    • Events organized:

      • Undergraduate Panel Discussion with Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell​

      • Fall 2022 Star Party (250 Attendees)

      • Astronomy Trivia Night

      • Graduate School Q&A Panel

      • 1st Annual Astronomy Club Research Symposium

      • REU Informational Q&A Panel

  • Wisconsin Engineer Magazine

    • Editor-in-Chief (2023-present)

    • Writing Head (2022-2023)​

    • Writer (2021-present)

The 2022-23 Astronomy Executive Board pictured with Astronaut Scott Kelly

Left to right: Me, Alyssa Jankowski, Leah Napiwocki, Scott Kelly, Will Jarvis, Allison Bakalars

Not pictured: Jenna Karcheski

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