• Hometown: Naperville, IL
• Faculty mentor/advisor: David Miles, Assistant Professor, Physics and Astronomy
• What is your degree program and expected graduate date? Electrical and Computer Engineering, December 2019
• Please describe your research: Our research team studies the physics of space by launching magnetic field instruments on rockets and satellites. Specifically, I study the northern lights by helping develop the magnetic field instruments that go on scientific rockets. I work on the electrical hardware of the instrument, and the communication interface between the rocket and the instrument.
• In simple terms, why does this research matter?  Space has always been deeply inspiring. However, our society and technology increasingly depend on satellites. Therefore, it is critical we understand the physics of near-Earth space.
• How soon after starting at the University of Iowa were you able to participate in research?  I started working in a lab at the University of Iowa my first semester here. And I’ve been working for Dr. Miles for a little over a year now.
• How has being involved in research made you more successful at the University of Iowa? By being involved in meaningful research, it made me so much more excited about what I was studying and how I could apply it to my research.
• What are your career goals and/or plans after graduation?  I have a job offer from the NASA sounding rocket program, as well as the department of physics and astronomy, and am even considering coming back to do my Masters here.

Read more about Suman Sherwani’s career trajectory in IowaNow.

 

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