Engebretson awarded NSF Grant for magnetospheric and ionospheric research

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Mark Engebretson, Professor Emeritus of Physics, has received a three year grant totaling $512,043 from the National Science Foundation to continue operation of the Magnetometer Array for Cusp and Cleft Studies (MACCS) network as well as analyze and disseminate its data. MACCS is a longitudinal array of high latitude magnetometers, instruments used for measuring the earth’s magnetism, covering the Eastern Canadian Arctic. Each MACCS site transmits data in near-real time, providing critical data for studies of various geospace phenomena, including solar wind-magnetosphere and magnetosphere-ionosphere interactions, the dynamics of the high latitude polar cap regions of the magnetosphere, and geomagnetic storms and substorms.

Engebretson and his team (Jennifer Posch, Laura Simms, Slava Pilipenko, and Erik Steinmetz) will conduct detailed studies of high-latitude ultra-low frequency waves using both ground-based and satellite data during magnetic storms. They will also explore the physical mechanisms involved in the excitation and propagation of ultra-low frequency waves through the magnetosphere-ionosphere system.

Up to six undergraduate students will have the opportunity to conduct research alongside Engebretson.       

***This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No.1651263. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.***

McNair Scholars Program receives DOEd grant to prepare underrepresented students for graduate school

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The Augsburg McNair Scholars Program has been awarded five additional years of funding through the US Department of Education’s Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program.

Grant funds totaling $1,161,310 ($232,262 per year) will be used to increase the number of doctoral degrees attained by Augsburg students from underrepresented backgrounds (low-income, first-generation, and/or underrepresented in graduate education) through high impact graduate school preparation activities.

The program will maintain a cohort of 26 Scholars each year. Scholars will complete an intensive 21 months of curriculum and activities designed to prepare for and achieve success in doctoral study. Project components include academic counseling; rigorous research and scholarly activities; graduate school preparation seminars and workshops; high quality summer research internships with mentor guidance; research presentation in at least one conference setting; internship opportunities; and individualized tutoring for academic excellence. Participants will also receive guidance in completing quality applications to graduate programs, finding financial assistance, and choosing programs that best fit their graduate aspirations.

The McNair Scholars Program is one of eight federal TRIO programs. The McNair Scholars Program was created by the U.S. Congress in honor of Dr. Ronald E. McNair, the astronaut and physicist who was among the first African Americans in the U.S. space program.

If you have questions or would like to learn more, please contact the project director, “Tina” Maria Tavera or visit Augsburg’s McNair Program website.

Editor’s Note: This project is funded, in part, by the U.S. Department of Education. Federal dollars support 75.5% ($1,161,310) of total project costs over the five year period; institutional dollars support the remaining 24.5% ($307,538).