Susana M. Beltrán
I graduated from Southwestern University (SU) with a Bachelor of Science in Physics with a minor in Mathematics in May 2018. While at SU, I was involved in many interdisciplinary projects in astronomy, renewable energy, agricultural robotics, and electronics. During my undergraduate career, I interned twice at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Boulder, CO. I am a GEM Fellow and am co-advised by Dr. Rebecca Taylor and Dr. Phil LeDuc.
Current project
- My current research focuses on the calibration and characterization of nanoscale force sensors.
Previous projects
- Development of Entangled Two-Photon Absorption Fluorescence Microscopy: I worked with the Quantum Nanophotonics Group in laser optics and measurement. I set up a Michelson interferometer and enhanced the coupling efficiency between input and output fibers. This allowed for the measurement of the joint spectrum of entangled photons pairs and the classification of interferometric dispersion.
- Development of Instrumentation and Metrology for Low Magnetic Field Bio-Imaging: I worked with the Magnetics Imaging Group. I programmed an inversion recovery sequence with composite pulses and an eight-step phase cycle in LabVIEW for the reduction of error in measurement in the recovery time of hydrogen. There, I also drafted resonator designs with higher efficiencies for low field NMR.
- Optical Expression: Conversation through Digitalization of Eye Movement: I built hardware used to track eye movement. Along with a team, we built a device to allow patients with paralysis to artisically and verbally communicate utilizing their eye movement.
- Developing a Robot to Measure Soil Quality: With the HHMI-Southwestern Inquiry Initiative grant, my research team and I built an autonomous robot for the efficient use of agriculutral property. I designed and built hardware needed to perform soil analysis for the robot. In conjuction, I wrote software for external storage of soil data.
- Collapsible Telescope: With my research team, we designed and constructed a portable Newtonian telescope. Using only recycled materials, our final telescope was smaller, less expensive, and had equal magnification potential as a standard Newtonian telescope.
- Water Recycling for Energy Efficiency: My research team and I designed and implemented a solar energy powered process to efficiently recycle waste water from dehumidifiers. Through this process, we reduced the energy consumption in the university’s observatory while protecting observatory equipment.
Scholarships and awards
- National GEM Consortium Fellowship Recipient, 2018
- NIST-SURF Fellowship Recipient, 2017 and 2018
- Earl Moseley Endowed Scholarship Recipient, 2017-2018
- HHMI-Southwestern Inquiry Initiative Scholar, 2016
- King Creativity Grant Recipient, 2015 and 2016
- Green Fund Grant Recipient, 2015
- Mood Scholar Award Recipient 2014-2018
- Bishop Ernest T. Dixon Scholarship Recipient, 2014-2018
Oral Presentations
- Development of Entangled Two-Photon Absorption Fluorescence Microscopy. National Institute of Standards and Technology SURF Colloquium, Boulder CO, 2018
- Development of Instrumentation and Metrology for Low Magnetic Field Bio-Imaging. American Physical Society March Meeting, Dallas TX, 2018
- Development of Instrumentation and Metrology for Low Magnetic Field Bio-Imaging. National Institute of Standards and Technology SURF Colloquium, Boulder CO, 2017
Poster Presentations
- Optical Expression: Conversation through Digitalization of Eye Movement. Research and Creative Works Symposium, Georgetown TX, 2018
- Developing a Robot to Measure Soil Quality. Texas Academy of Science Meeting, Belton TX, 2017
- Developing a Robot to Measure Soil Quality. Research and Creative Works Symposium, Georgetown TX, 2017
- Collapsible Telescope. Research and Creative Works Symposium, Georgetown TX, 2016
- Water Recycling for Energy Efficiency. Research and Creative Works Symposium, Georgetown TX, 2016
Contact information
- Contact me by email: beltran@cmu.edu