RIA JHALA
Stony Brook, NY 11790 | (408)-981-6609
ria.jhala@stonybrook.edu
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EDUCATION
Stony Brook University, Stony Brook (Aug 2024 – Present)
Medical Physics PhD Student
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obisp (Sept 2020 – Dec 2023)
Bachelor of Science in Physics with Minor in Astronomy
EXPERIENCE
Digital Radiological Imaging Lab (Aug 2024 – Present)
Working on assessing the performance of carbon-interspaced anti-scatter grid to eliminate scatter radiation affecting image quality in X-ray mammography and DBT
- Planning experiments to make measurements of scatter radiation on dual layer flat panel detector to compare with computed scatter estimates
- Plan to compare anti-scatter grid method of scatter reduction with post-processing methods of scatter correction
Research in Fractal Networks – Cal Poly (Apr 2023 – Dec 2023)
Pioneered a project with Dr. Colleen Marlow to develop an experimental procedure to study the environmental factors that could affect the fractal nature of plant roots, & how the fractal structure is related to growth & absorption levels
• Grew & maintained seedlings of Maestro peas, bush beans, & Thale cress with close observation
• Tested root confinement structures, lighting, imaging, & editing techniques to optimize data collection
• Established a seedling growth timeline through daily imaging, & outlined necessary criterion for raw images
• Computed fractal dimensions of root samples by using a box-counting algorithm in FracLac (ImageJ plugin) & parameters extracted from linear fits of the data in MATLAB
• Closely mentored new research students in the group as a senior member, facilitated collaboration & checkpoint meetings with weekly presentations, & independently compiled a detailed & comprehensive senior project thesis
Physics REU – UC Merced (Jun 2023 – Aug 2023)
Worked extensively on computational research on high-energy plasma formation with Dr. David Strubbe to be applied in the optimization of Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) experiments; studied basics of Density Functional Theory (DFT)
• Ran DFT calculations in Octopus code to determine the influence electron temperature on ionization of graphene
• Created detailed plots & models in Gnuplot, MATLAB, & XCrySDen to analyze band structure & electronic structure at various temperatures
• Integrated charge density to find the distance from the atomic plane that covers a given percentage of electrons
• Presented my research to an audience of graduate students & faculty at the UC Merced UROC Symposium
Research in Carbon Nanotube Thin Films – Cal Poly (Sept 2022 – Apr 2023)
Worked with Dr. Colleen Marlow towards characterizing the morphology of CNT networks on thin film devices using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)
• Trained on Asylum AFM (air topography) & practiced non-contact imaging & troubleshooting with equipment
• Identified artifacts on the device caused by masking & manufacturing malfunctions, dust, & debris
• Maintained detailed record of issues & solutions, qualitative, & quantitative observations
Frost Research Fellow – Cal Poly (Jun 2022 – Aug 2022)
Studied the Black Hole Information Paradox through theoretical research with Dr. Benjamin Shlaer
• Independent literature search on the paradox, basics of general relativity, classical mech., & quantum mech.
• Worked on understanding mathematical and conceptual elements of the paradox, and the Chaplygin gas solution
• Participated in 15-minute group talk where I presented on black hole evaporation & entanglement
SKILLS
Instrumentation: Operation & troubleshooting of radiation detection & safety equipment, Asylum Atomic Force Microscope, oscilloscopes, manual & computerized telescopes, assembling optical experiments, wiring & circuitry
Software: NI LabVIEW, MATLAB, ArduinoIDE, Gnuplot, XCrySden, ImageJ, PyRAF, SOAImageDS9, Microsoft Office, Linux
Others: Attention to detail, communication skills, data collection & analysis, data calibration & reduction, computational & practical problem solving, technical writing, process development of research projects
LEADERSHIP & EXTRACURRICULARS
- Society of Physics Students – Yearbook Coordinator
- Women in Physics – Event Planner
- Minorities in Physics – Treasurer
- That’s the Key Acapella – Section Leader
- Cal Poly Choir