MARCUS W. SIMPSON40219 179th St. East msimpson4566@yahoo.comPalmdale, CA 94591 Mobile: (661) 917-7986 Home: (661) 264-0722

Enthusiastic and adaptable recent Astrophysics graduate with experience designing/performing experiments and data analysis techniques. Specialized in dark matter detection research, applies

theoretical concepts to a practical setting, and coordinates efficiently with a team in a lab setting. Operates with a methodical approach to situations and thrives in a fast-paced setting.

EDUCATIONUniversity of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) B.S. in Astrophysics (June 2015)

● Coursework includes: Kinematics, Electromagnetism, Circuitry, Optics & Wave Phenomena, Thermodynamics, Quantum Mechanics, Special Relativity, Stellar Evolution, Cosmology

● Extensive lab experience, data analyses, programming exposure, practice of scientific method

RESEARCH EXPERIENCEAssistant Researcher (Sept 2013 – July 2015) Astroparticle Physics, UCLA Physics and Astronomy Dept.

● Collaborated with Dr. David Cline on eliminating dark matter particle candidates via direct detector data● Analyzed and compared data from Fermi, DM Ice, Xenon100 experiments using Information Theory● Wrote many scientific papers: Supersymmetry, WIMP Detection Methods, Dark Matter at Galactic Center

Noteworthy Paper: “Comparison of DAMA/LIBRA and DM ICE Results using Information Theory to Rule out Dark Matter Claims” [arXiv:1504.04633]

Astrocomputing Intern (July – August 2014)HiPACC ISSAC Neutrino & Nuclear Astrophysics, San Diego Supercomputing Center

● Designed simulations of big bang nucleogenesis, supernovae, & galaxy evolution● Operated and managed a supercomputer while applying it to data intensive calculations

Exhibit Coordinator (March – June 2012)“Public Science: Peepshows, Caskets, and Microscopes”, UCLA Library Special Collections

● Coordinated with students and library staff to manage/present our own exhibit on a history of science● Unearthed many rare artifacts and practices that led to the origins of modern medicine

LAB EXPERIENCE- Designing entire data acquisition systems for experiments using myDAQ instruments- Writing data analysis programs that accurately measured electromagnetic effects- Experimenting with optics: effects on wave fronts, lens arrays, parallel beam compressors- Operating 24-inch Cassegrain telescope to take long exposure images of stars- Developing python scripts to process telescope images and calculate properties of stars- Applying theory to construct our own Van de Graaf generator and foxhole radio- Measuring radioactive decay from a neutron reactor on silver isotopes- Efficient in working with a group to analyze results and write a comprehensive summary

SOFTWARE: Proficient in C++, Python, Mathematica, Labview, LaTeX, Excel, UNIX. Exposure to Fortran and AutoCAD