Vann is a student in the SUNRiSE program at CHESS.
Vann's research is focused on the RAMS IV load frame, a machine that can apply a range of forces to a given sample.
What is your home institution and your expected graduation year?
I am currently studying Computer Engineering at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. I expect to graduate Spring 2025.
Which CLASSE summer program are you a part of and who is your mentor?
I am participating in the SUNRiSE program under the mentorship of Peter Ko, Sven Gustafson, Kelly Nygren, Keara Soloway, and Rolf Verberg.
What is the research you are engaged in and what have you accomplished so far this summer?
My current project is focused on the RAMS IV load frame, a machine that can apply a range of forces to a given sample. This machine records data from the sample as encoder steps and analog voltages. However, the logged data isn't directly interpretable, which is the primary challenge. My role is to overhaul the existing Python scripts, which are used to convert the metadata, with the aim of improving their readability, maintainability, and modularity.
So far, I have successfully accomplished my initial objectives for this project. I have restructured the Python scripts and made the file conversion process more efficient. Now, the updated scripts allow users to specify the metadata scans they want to process. These scripts can generate either a translated file, which converts all the raw analog readings into more interpretable values, or an averaged file of the translated data. The latter condenses the large number of data points into more manageable averages, thereby simplifying further data analysis and usage.
What are you hoping to accomplish by the end of your project?
Moving forward, my aim is to host this project on GitLab, a platform that facilitates collaboration and resource sharing. Simultaneously, I plan to develop comprehensive documentation that elucidates the functionality of these scripts and provides guidance on their effective use. The overarching goal is to make this tool as user-friendly and adaptable as possible, thereby promoting its utilization and further development by other researchers.
What are the impacts of your research for the general public?
The potential impacts of my research are considerable given the collaborative and diverse nature of the CHESS facility at Cornell University. This facility is used by researchers and scientists from a wide range of disciplines, all conducting their unique studies. The Python scripts for the RAMS IV load frame will serve as a tool for any user who wishes to utilize this equipment.
What are you enjoying most about this research/summer experience?
What I've enjoyed most about this research experience is the opportunity to apply the programming skills I've learned in my classes to a real-world scenario. There's a unique satisfaction that comes from knowing my work goes beyond a classroom exercise and has a tangible impact. Rather than creating programs that serve purely academic purposes and risk being deleted or forgotten, I've been able to contribute to the development of scripts that researchers at the CHESS facility at Cornell University will use.
What are you finding the most challenging about this research?
One major challenge in this research has been the test of maintaining motivation during long stretches of programming work. Staring at the same script for weeks can be taxing and monotonous, but it has taught me valuable lessons about patience and resilience in research.
How has this experience changed your view about being a researcher?
My experience has greatly expanded my understanding of postgraduate opportunities. It's made me aware of the diverse career paths in research and the many options beyond graduation. It's not a linear journey, but a broad field with a variety of routes that align with different interests and aspirations.