COSAM research scientist uses $400K NSF award to study the origins of elements in the universe

Steven Bromley, principal research scientist in Auburn University’s Department of Physics, is a co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) on an award, Collaborative Research: Electron Impact Ionization and Recombination Properties of Heavy elements in Kilonovae, from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for $379,797. He is working with Stuart Loch, the PI of the award and alumni professor in the Department of Physics, Michael Fogle, a Co-PI and the Howard Earl and Carolyn Taylor Carr Professor, and Phillip Stancil, professor at the University of Georgia, Athens (UGA). 

“An important aspect of the post-doctoral training at Auburn is for the researcher to gain experience in the process of writing and submitting grant proposals. Steve excelled at this process and was invaluable in the background research and writing of this grant,” said Loch. “He was the recipient of the Dean’s Research Award for Postdoctoral Scientists and won the Laboratory Astrophysics Division Dissertation Award. His accolades show his outstanding contributions to the Department of Physics and that he not only studies stars but is a rising one!”

Bromley worked as a postdoctoral scientist in the Department of Physics and then transitioned to a principal research scientist.

“Since 2018, I have been working on research in the developing field of neutron star mergers,” said Bromley. “It includes a relatively unexplored region of atomic physics that is continuing to rapidly grow.”

Learn how microorganisms control the Earth’s climate

Microorganisms can only be seen through a microscope. They exist in water, soil and even the air.

But did you know that these microscopic cells can help make a difference in the Earth's climate?

You can learn more about the impact these tiny organisms make at the Feb. 15 Science Café featuring Rodney Tollerson II from the Department of Biological Sciences.

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