| My name is Cedric Hall, and I am a junior attending Elizabeth City State University (ECSU), with the assistance of a scholarship from the New Hampshire Space Grant managed by Dr. George Hurtt. I graduated from William Bodine High School for International Affairs in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the age of sixteen. I immediately proceeded to enter the realm of higher education at ECSU. I chose to pursue a major in Mathematics with an Aviation Science minor. My short-term goal is to graduate from ECSU with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. After receiving my B.S. degree, I have a goal to obtain a Master’s degree followed by a Ph.D in aerospace engineering. Upon completion of both my graduate and post-baccalaureate studies I intend on having a career in the aerospace industry.
Being a part of the Center of Excellence in Remote Sensing Education and Research (CERSER) scholarship program, I have been introduced to many aspects of the scientific world, especially conducting research. I am open to and interested in research in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. I have a great interest in conducting research in the aerospace field because I would like to pursue a career in the aerospace industry. In the summer of 2009, I attended the Undergraduate Research Experience in Ocean, Marine, and Polar Sciences (URE OMPS). As a part of the Gambit team, we researched the formation of the Carolina Bays. We used Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) to try to determine the age of Rockyhock Bay in Edenton, North Carolina. Soil analysis was performed to detect and extract impact related markers including carbon spherules, magnetic grains, charcoal, and glass-like carbon. Each part was done meticulously and repeated for accurate results (Samples used were taken from Sandra Kimbel Bay). Carbon spherules, charcoal, and glass-like carbon have a low specific gravity, which causes them to float. Therefore, a floatation procedure was used to separate them. Magnetic materials are denser and sink to the bottom with the slurry, beneath the water. In order to extract the magnetic fraction, a super magnet was used. Our primary aim was to present evidence to form a better understanding of the environment after the Last Glacial Maximum. This evidence would represent the changes that took place on Earth and serve as a record and model of consequences of either natural events or extraterrestrial events that affected human civilization. My interest in research continues and I am currently researching the correlation between Sea Surface Temperature (SST) and Tropical Cyclone Frequency (TCF) and Intensity. I look forward to the opportunity to study at UNH with the distinguished scientist in the Institute for the study of Earth, Oceans, and Space (EOS). Also of high interest to me is the second year opportunity that the Research and Discover program offers in collaboration with the Goddard Space Flight Center. |
