Chanda Prescod-Weinstein

Chanda Prescod-Weinstein

Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, Research Associate in Physics, University of Washington

Location
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Industry
Research
Current
  1. University of Washington
Previous
  1. M.I.T. Department of Physics and Kavli Institute,
  2. Johns Hopkins University,
  3. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Education
  1. SACNAS Leadership Institute
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Summary

My passions are early universe cosmology and increasing equity and equal opportunity in physics and astronomy. As a theoretical physicist who happens to be a member of multiple underrepresented groups (URGs), these two passions go hand in hand. My research currently focuses primarily on inflation, reheating (the era immediately after inflation) and an exciting hypothesized dark matter candidate, the axion. I am especially interested in intersections of ideas from condensed matter and particle physics and how they can inform our work in cosmology.

My work requires concepts from General Relativity, quantum field theory (in curved spacetimes), and multiple length scales in astrophysics. I believe that calculus is fun and that theory should be driven by observables when possible. But, who doesn't love a good Lagrangian?

When I'm not doing research, I volunteer my time as an unofficial adviser and mentor for URG undergraduates and graduate students both at MIT and around the country. I also serve on committees in three different professional societies that help to promote sexual and gender minorities, Hispanics/Latinos and Blacks/African Americans in physics and astronomy.

Experience

Honors & Awards

  • Infinite Kilometer Award

    MIT School of Science

    Awarded for contributions to the school of science community

  • Lindau Nobel Laureate Delegate

    Lindau Nobel Laureates in Physics Meeting

    Nominated by M.I.T. to be a Siemens delegate; selected from Siemens international nominees by Lindau Laureate Meeting to attend.

Languages

  • English

    Native or bilingual proficiency

  • Spanish

    Limited working proficiency

  • Dutch

    Elementary proficiency

Skills

Education

  • SACNAS Leadership Institute

    Completion Certificate , Diverse leadership for a diverse STEM community
    –

    The SLI is an intensive program designed to help scientists with an interest in promoting a diverse and inclusive STEM community to become leaders at the forefront of science. SLI alumni are a growing network of diverse people across STEM fields in academia, industry, government and the non-profit sector who are leading the change we wish to see.

  • University of Waterloo

    Ph.D., Theoretical Physics
    –

    I completed a PhD "Cosmic Acceleration as Quantum Gravity Phenomenology" under the direction of Dr. Lee Smolin and Professor Niayesh Afshordi at the Perimeter Institute. In addition, I completed coursework including: two semesters of graduate statistical mechanics, one semester of graduate electromagnetism, one semester of standard model physics with Professor Cliff Burgess and two years of Dutch language courses. I served as a teaching assistant for one year of undergraduate advanced electromagnetism, a semester of undergraduate particle physics, and a semester of graduate quantum mechanics. I passed a qualifying exam on astrophysics, quantum fields in curved spacetime, and General Relativity. I also served as a volunteer research leader for the International Summer School for Young Physicists, a program that targets high school juniors and seniors from around the world.

    Activities and Societies: Vice President for Student Affairs, Graduate Student Association

  • University of California, Santa Cruz

    M.S., Astronomy and Astrophysics
    –

    Under the direction of Professor Anthony Aguirre (Department of Physics), I completed and presented a second year project on black rings (black holes with a ring-like structure) in 4+1 spacetime dimensions. I passed a written qualifying exam covering completed coursework. Completed courses include: two quarters of graduate quantum mechanics, two of quarters quantum field theory, one quarter of stellar structure formation, one quarter of stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis, one quarter of physical cosmology, one quarter of galactic dynamics, and one quarter of geophysical fluid dynamics. In addition, I served as External Vice President for the Graduate Student Association and the GSA representative to the University of California Student Association for one year. I also served as a Head Steward for UAW-Academic Student Employees Local 2865.

    Activities and Societies: External Vice President, Graduate Student Association; United Auto Workers Local 2865 Head Steward

  • Harvard College

    A.B., Physics and Astronomy and Astrophysics
    –

    I earned a joint bachelors degree in Physics and Astronomy and Astrophysics. Advanced elective coursework in my fields included a second semester of undergraduate quantum mechanics, graduate General Relativity at M.I.T., and introduction to abstract algebra at M.I.T. Lab work included data reduction of supernovae images, calibrating an X-ray CCD, imaging oxygen masers with the Very Large Array, building lasers for slow light experiments, studying sodium presence in the atmospheres of extrasolar planets, and studying the source of winds off active galactic nuclei/quasars.

    Activities and Societies: Society of Physics Students, Living Wage Campaign, Students Against Sweatshops, Harvard BGLTSA, GirlSpot

Interests

Organizations

  • American Astronomical Society

    Executive Committee Member, Committee on the Status of Gender and Sexual Minorities in Astronomy
    Starting

Groups

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