Branyon May

Graduate Student in Astrophysics


Curriculum Vitae

Branyon May, M.S.

Education
Graduate Institution: University of Alabama
Degree: (Admitted to candidacy Doctor of Philosophy)
 Major: Physics (Specialization: Astronomy)
Expected Graduation: May 2009
Cumulative GPA: 3.600
Graduate Institution: University of Alabama
Degree: Master of Science
 Major: Physics (Specialization: Astronomy)
Graduated: August 2007
Cumulative GPA: 3.600
Undergraduate Institution: Angelo State University
Degree: Bachelor of Science
 Major: Physics (Minor: Chemistry)
Graduated: May 2004
Magna Cum Laude
Cumulative GPA: 3.794
Employment Experience
University of Alabama Graduate Teaching/Research Assistant
- Teaching responsibilities: all levels of classroom management (instructing, motivating students,
  test preparation and grading).
  I have worked with the following courses:
- AY101/102 Intro Astronomy Lecture / Lab - PH102 Intro Physics Lab (Algebra)
- AY203 Observational Astronomy Lab - PH106 Intro Physics Lab (Calculus)
-Research responsibilities: Writing grants, Acquiring data (original, archival), Presenting data
8/2004-present
Angelo State University Planetarium
- Responsibilities included:
- Assisted running the weekly programs - Operated telescopes for public viewing
- Presented public star talks - Managed box office
10/2002-7/2004
Substitute Teacher-San Angelo Independent School District
- Taught in area high school, junior high, and elementary classrooms
8/2003-7/2004
Angelo State University Physics Department
- Assisted in teaching, lab preparation, and grading of introductory physics labs.
1/2002-7/2004
Helms and May Engineering, Inc.
- Responsibilities included oil-field technician and website design.
5/2001-8/2001
Research Experience
NASA's Graduate Student Research Program
Research Title: Can Active Galactic Nuclei Resolve the X-ray Background Hardness Problem
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Bill Keel, University of Alabama
NASA Advisor: Dr. Doug Swartz, Marshall Space Flight Center
2006-2008
Presentations of Research: 211th AAS Meeting (Poster) -- 2008
 
Carr Research Fellowship
Research Title: Photometric Detection of the Transiting Extrasolar Planet: HD209458b
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Mark Sonntag, Angelo State University
Presentations of Research: Zone 13 APS/SPS Section Meeting -- 2004
Carr Research Symposium (ASU) -- 2004
Zone 6 SPS Section Meeting (Poster) -- 2005
Relevant Skills
Professional Skills: Teaching (5+ years), Public Speaking (8+ years)
Personal Skills: Effective Communicator, Competent Group Leader, Self-Motivated, Efficient at Multitasking, Dependable
Computer Proficiencies:
Systems: Windows, Linux, Unix
General Software: MS-Office (Powerpoint, Word, Excel)
Technical Software: IRAF, CIAO, Sherpa, ds9, FV
Computer Languages: HTML (web development, CSS), Fortran, Unix-Shell scripting, C++ (some)
Astronomical Proficiencies:
Telescope Familiarity: Mounts(Equatorial, Alt-Az); Models(Meade, Celestron, Obsession, Orion, DFM)
Telescope Control: TheSKY, Meade-GoTo, ACE
Data Acquisition: CCDOps, Maxim-DL, CCD Cameras (SBIG, Apogee, Orion)
 
Awards, Honors
NASA's Graduate Student Research Program 2006-present
Carr Research Fellowship 2003-2004
Who's Who Among American Universities 2003-2004
Wilton J. Brown Memorial Scholarship 2002-2003
Carr Academic Scholarship 2000-2004
Special Academic Scholarship (Department of Physics) 2000-2004
Relevant Affiliations
American Astronomical Society 2007
Sigma Pi Sigma, Physics Honor Society 2003
Alpha Xi Honor Society 2003
San Angelo Amateur Astronomy Association 2003
American Physical Society 2001
National Society of Physics Students 2001
Society of Physics Students, Angelo State University Chapter 2001