Heliophysics Summer Research Opportunity for Undergraduates at
UAHuntsville and NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
NSF-REU site

Funded by the National Science Foundation

We will begin accepting applications for the 2013 REU on January 1, 2013

http://www.uah.edu/cspar/research/reu

Overview

Scientist from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and NASA Marshall Space Flight Center will host a Research Experience for Undergraduates in the summer of 2013. Ten undergraduates will be invited to Huntsville, Alabama for 10 weeks to engage in cutting edge heliophysics research with astrophysicists from UAHuntsville or NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). Students in this program will be paired with mentors specializing in heliophysics research from the solar interior to the heliopause, and include theory, modeling, computer simulations, data analysis and instrument design. At the end of the 10-week program, participants will be required to present their research experience. Additionally, some students may be selected to present their findings at a scientific conference.

• The 2013 REU will run from May 29 - August 3, 2013. Students must be available for the entire 10 weeks in order to participate in the program.
• Students will be provided a $4000 stipend for the summer. Additionally, a travel allowance, housing on UAHuntsville campus, and a $500 meal card will be provided.
• Heliophysics researchers from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and NASA Marshall Space Center are both housed in the National Space Science and Technology Center (NSSTC) located on the UAHuntsville campus in Huntsville, Alabama.

Eligibility

Applicants should be full-time, undergraduate students with a GPA of 2.5 or better and planning to major in science, technology, engineering or mathematics. Students must be US citizens or green card holders in order to be considered for this program. Rising sophomores, women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

Location

Huntsville, "The Rocket City", is an oasis of technology and research in northern Alabama, where cutting edge research has been taking place since the space race. It is home to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center and NASA Marshall Space and three 4-year universities. Huntsville, is consistently names as one of the best places in the country to live by a variety of publications and thus attracts people from all over the world. In addition to the space and rocket center, visitors can enjoy hiking on nearby Monte Sano, caving, camping, museums, historical landmarks and a variety of sanctuaries and parks.

To apply

To apply, fill out the form below and attach two letters of recommendation and unofficial transcripts by April 1, 2013. Alternatively, submit the pdf application under downloads, two letters of recommendation, and transcripts to heliophysicsreu@uah.edu.

Additional Information

If you have any questions, please contact heliophysicsreu@uah.edu.

This REU program is funded by the National Science Foundation.

In December, an all-male Iowa Supreme Court ruled 7-0 that firing someone for being “irresistibly attractive” was legal.

Melissa Nelson, a 32-year-old dental assistant, was fired by 52-year-old dentist, Dr. James Knight, after working for him for 10 years. 

Knight claimed she was “irresistibly attractive” and a threat to his marriage.  He thought Nelson’s tight clothing was distracting and sent her texts containing sexual innuendos.  Nelson said she wore t-shirts and scrubs and never flirted with her boss.

Knight and Nelson are both married and have kids.  When Knight’s wife found the text messages, she demanded he fire Nelson.  Knight terminated Nelson and gave her one month’s severance.  He told Nelson’s husband that he was getting too personally attached and feared he might try to start an affair with her.  

The Court ruled the firing was not protected by the Iowa Civil Rights Act because it was motivated by feelings and emotions, not gender.

Responding to the ruling, Nelson’s attorney said:

These judges sent a message to Iowa women that they don’t think men can be held responsible for their sexual desires.

Knight’s attorney thought the ruling was a victory for family values because Knight fired Nelson in the interest of saving his marriage. 

The ruling is likely final because the case cannot be taken to a higher court since it specifically challenged the Iowa Civil Rights Act. 

Was the firing justified?  Should it be illegal to discriminate based on physical appearance?

Well not exactly… but close.

According to the Verizon Business Security Blog during a routine security audit of a US Company it was found that a “hacker” from China was logging into the company database several times a day through the account of top software developer “Bob.”

After a more thorough investigation… it turned out that Bob’s account wasn’t being hacked after all but instead Bob had outsourced his own job. 

A couple months prior, Bob hired a Chinese consulting firm to do the work which he was being paid six figures do. In return he FedExed them his RSA Key and began paying the contractor about a fifth of his salary ($50,000 a year). 

Now instead of working nine to five, Bob’s internet history showed that his days were filled with watching cat videos, surfing reddit, buying things on EBay and updating his facebook page.  Then at around 4:30 he would email his bosses with “what he had completed during the day.” 

Even more ironically, Bob’s performance reviews showed that he had received many accolades for the codes he created.  

According to the Verizon Blog,

“His code was clean, well written, and submitted in a timely fashion. Quarter after quarter, his performance review noted him as the best developer in the building.”

Unfortunately for Bob and his cat video obsession he has been fired.

But his initially outrageous business plan does raise some interesting questions about capitalism. If CEOs of companies can outsource hundreds of jobs to other countries what is stopping individual employees from outsourcing their own jobs?  

Image By: slgckgc

Remember Colin Powell?

He who once the most respected man in the country… before that little thing call the Iraq War kind of knocked him off his pedestal?

Well, Powell is back and he is doing a little knocking this time.

On Sunday, former secretary of State l appeared on NBC’s meet the press where he discussed defense secretary nominee Chuck Hagel, foreign policy and the questionable actions of some of the members of his own party.  

Though Powell voted for President Obama in the past two elections he still considers himself to be a Republican.

 In his interview he echoed the sentiments of many in the months since the Republicans lost the election saying,

“The country is changing demographically and if the Republican party does not change along with that demographic, they are going to be in trouble.” 

Powell also boldly and rightfully called out members of his party for racism and their repeated devaluing of minorities.

He brought up the instance, when an unnamed former governor (hello Sarah Palin)  said that the President is “shucking and jiving” ( a slave term).

He also went on to say that the Republican Party is suffering from a “dark vein of intolerance.”

Finally, he asked the question,

“Why do senior Republican leaders tolerate this kind of discussion within the party?” 

When it came to discussing former Senator Chuck Hagel, Powell was a little more conciliatory.

Powell believes Hagel, who is currently a professor at the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University,

“Knows what war is and will fight a war if it’s necessary, but he’s a guy who will do it with great deliberation and care.” 

Seems like when it comes to a fight Colin Powell is not afraid to have one with other Republicans. Do you blame him?

Watch the full interview with Colin Powell here.