NDiSTEM Conference Agenda: 

https://www.sacnas.org/2021-sacnas-ndistem-agenda-at-a-glance/

Catherine Feldman, PhD Student 

Department of Physics & Astronomy

Research Advisor: Alan Calder, PhD

​​Talk title: Unveiling the Origin of the Dimmest Type Ia Supernovae with Ooakami 

Summary: Type Ia supernovae are bright stellar explosions wherein a white dwarf undergoes thermonuclear runaway and scatters heavy elements throughout the universe. These supernovae are used as standardized measures of astronomical distances. Though astrophysicists cannot physically interact with these supernovae, computational science allows them to study them. Computational astrophysicists like Catherine and her research advisor, Dr. Alan Calder, can reproduce stellar conditions in their "lab" -- a computer simulation whose results they can compare with observations. Catherine discusses how IACS’ new, experimental supercomputer “Ookami” is used to make these calculations. 

Lauren Raguette, PhD Student

Department of Chemistry

Research Advisor: Carlos Simmerling, PhD

Talk Title: Computational Modeling and Analysis of COVID-19

Summary: Lauren Raguette is presenting on work from the Simmerling lab, as they computationally model SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. She explains all-atom computational chemistry and her use of molecular mechanics to explore protein structure and dynamics. The Simmerling lab has modeled the spike proteins attaching to the host cell membrane and identified a pocket at a hinge point of the protein, which could be targeted with small molecules.

Stephanie Taboada, PhD Student 

Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering

Research Advisor: Devinder Mahajan

Talk Title: Potential of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) to Decarbonize New York's Energy System

Summary: Stephanie is a Chemical Engineering Ph.D. candidate from the Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering and a STRIDE Fellow. Her research focuses on clean energy options for the state of New York, which relies heavily on fossil fuels. New York is the 6th largest consumer of fossil fuels, so limiting the usage would significantly benefit the environment. Organic feedstocks such as cow manure and energy crops like corn can be used to generate energy and are the basis of creating renewable natural gas (RNG). The raw materials are added to a digester or large tank, wherein the waste decomposes without oxygen, resulting in biogas. The biogas is composed of carbon dioxide and methane and is the precursor of RNG. Biogas becomes RNG through the removal of carbon dioxide. The value of RNG is that it can be used interchangeably with fossil natural gas in the current gas grid and applications such as transportation fuel, heating, and electricity. RNG is interchangeable with fossil natural gas because it contains the same chemical component, methane. Stephanie’s research specifically examines how many resources New York has to produce RNG to assist decision-makers with allocating necessary funds and passing policies to support RNG production. Currently, only about 8% of the state utilizes these renewable natural gas resources, and she hopes to change that

It is our hope that by sharing the exciting research taking place at Stony Brook University, and particularly at IACS, that we may expose an audience of diverse and underrepresented students to computational science and the many opportunities available to them if they should choose to continue their graduate studies at Stony Brook.