Brittney Mickaliger

B.S. in Astronomy, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
August 2019 - August 2023

• Astronomy Major: With my astronomy major, I learned a lot about topics in both astronomy and physics, spanning the fundamental physical laws underlying nature and how they apply to astronomical objects such as stars, galaxies, planets, and compact objects. Along the way, I also strengthened my skills in many related areas, including programming, mathematics, writing, presenting, problem-solving, research, and teamwork.
• Astronomy Courses: Introductory Astronomy, Planetary Science, Cosmology, Exoplanets, Stars & Radiation, Galaxies.
• Physics Courses: Classical Physics, Modern Physics, Waves & Optics, Electromagnetic Theory, Mechanics, Thermodynamics.
• Programming Courses: Computation for Physics and Astronomy, Data Analysis with Python.
• Math Courses: Multivariable Calculus, Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, Applied Real Analysis.
  


• Personal Interest: My time at Stony Brook University ignited new passions of mine outside of my major and minor, namely computer science and science communication. While important on their own, my experiences in these classes also served to supplement what I learned through my major.
• Computer Science Courses: Computer Science Principles, Object-Oriented Programming, Foundations of Computer Science, Data Structures, Programming in MATLAB for Engineers, Python for Scientific Computing.
• Science Communication Courses: Introduction to Science Communication, Talking Science, Advanced Research Writing.
  


• Clubs and Activities:
• Astronomy Club: I was an active member of Astronomy Club from Fall 2019 to Spring 2023, and regularly attended and participated in meetings for all four years.
• AstroFest 2022 and 2023 Volunteer: AstroFest is an annual astronomy outreach event that is aimed towards Stony Brook University students as well as the general public living in the town of Stony Brook. The SBU Astronomy Club hosts AstroFest alongside other physics, math, and science clubs such as Society of Physics Students (SPS), Science Olympiad, the SBU Robotics Team, and more. For AstroFest 2022, I ran a table where I gave a presentation on moon phases and eclipses, and in 2023 I improved upon my 2022 presentation by including a physical model of the Earth, Moon, and Sun. This model allowed an interactive aspect of my verbal presentation for guests to try to recreate different lunar phases and differentiate between lunar and solar eclipses, with a candy prize as an incentive for engagement.
• Food Pantry Volunteer: I became a weekly volunteer at the food pantry on campus midway through my sophomore year and continued volunteering until I became the undergraduate coordinator in my senior year. More information can be found here.
  


• Awards and Recognition:
• Scholarships: Stony Brook Presidential Scholarship, NYS Scholarship for Academic Excellence.
• Awards: President's Volunteer Service Bronze Award for 2022, SBU Food Pantry's 2023 Golden Can Award.
• Dean's List: According to the Undergraduate Bulletin, the GPA cutoffs for each year are: "seniors, 3.40; juniors, 3.30; sophomores, 3.20; freshmen, 3.10." I have made it onto the Dean's List for every semester I have attended Stony Brook University: Fall 2019, Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Fall 2021, Spring 2022.
  
• 2023 Commencement Notable Mention: One of three students chosen from the Division of Student Affairs as a special mention during the May 2023 Commencement ceremony for community service on campus.

Advanced Regents Diploma with Honors, William Floyd High School, Mastic Beach, NY
September 2015 - June 2019

• Honors/AP Classes: Throughout my high school career, I took as many honors and AP courses as possible in order to enhance my current quality of education, as well as to better prepare myself for college. This provided the foundation for many integral skills such as time management, critical thinking, research, and teamwork. This time enhanced my love for learning about the world around me, and my love for science in particular.
• Honors Courses: World History, English (2 years), Geometry, Algebra II, Earth Science, Chemistry.
• AP Courses: World History, U.S. History, Government & Politics, Language & Composition, Literature & Composition, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Physics.
  


• Clubs and Activities:
• Key Club: I was a member of Key Club for all four years of high school, during which I regularly attended club meetings and participated in community service events. These events consisted of food drives, assisting the local public library, and activities geared towards elementary school children. Additionally, I served as the Editor's Assistant during the 2018-2019 service year, where I helped the board communicate with club members, organize and lead community service events, and plan weekly club meetings.
• Wind Ensemble: I joined the school music program as a member of the Colonial Band, which was required of all 9th graders. I played as third chair first clarinet. By the end of the year, I was asked to move up to the Wind Ensemble, where I played first chair third clarinet in 10th grade.
• Quiz Bowl: I was a member of Quiz Bowl through 11th and 12th grade, during which I played on the Junior Varsity team in my first year, and the Varsity team in my second year.
• Math Club: As a member of Math Club in 12th grade, I participated in weekly activities geared towards making math more fun and understandable for students of all backgrounds. I would also occasionally help other club members with homework during meetings.
• Food Pantry Volunteer: I became a regular student volunteer at a local food pantry midway through my sophomore year and continued volunteering until I graduated. Further explanation of my duties can be found here.
  


• Awards:
• Scholarships: Kiwanis Club of the Mastics Scholarship, Paul F. Breschard Memorial Scholarship, William Floyd Alumni Association Scholarship.
• Food Pantry Certificate of Appreciation: Received for being a frequent, reliable, and experienced volunteer for several years.
• Outstanding Academic Achievement: Received for ranking among the top 10 students of the 2019 graduating class.
• Mastery in Science: According to the New York State Education Department, a student must meet "all the requirements for a Regents diploma with advanced designation AND earn a score of 85 or better on 3 science Regents Exams" in order to receive a mastery in science.
  


• Class Standing: 3 out of 584 students.