{"599493":{"#nid":"599493","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Kate Napier, B.S. in Physics","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EKatherine Avery \u0026ldquo;Kate\u0026rdquo; Napier had wanted to attend Georgia Tech ever since she was in elementary school. Growing up, she attended summer robotics and swim camps at Tech and participated in annual dance performances at the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/arts.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EFerst Center for the Arts\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026nbsp;\u0026ldquo;I applied to Georgia Tech for early admission,\u0026rdquo; she recalls. \u0026ldquo;I still remember opening the acceptance email surrounded by my family. I never applied to another college. It was an easy decision.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ENapier is graduating with a B.S. in Physics, Astrophysics Concentration and Research Option. She attended \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.lakesidehs.dekalb.k12.ga.us\/\u0022\u003ELakeside High School\u003C\/a\u003E, in Atlanta. While in high school, she participated in the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.fernbank.edu\/stt.htm\u0022\u003EScientific Tools and Techniques Program at Fernbank Science Center\u003C\/a\u003E, taking about 15 hands-on science classes covering various topics \u0026ndash; from anatomy to ornithology to astronomy. This experience deeply shaped her desire to study physics in college.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;My life has always been great,\u0026rdquo; Napier says, \u0026ldquo;because of my loving family and friends, the richness of my educational experiences, and the opportunities I had outside of school to pursue other interests.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat is the most important thing you learned at Georgia Tech?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u0026ldquo;Plan B\u0026rdquo; can be great. \u0026nbsp;Many of my most amazing opportunities are those I created because I refused to give up when my initial plans did not work out.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe summer after my first year, after being declined to be a camp counselor, I was accepted to a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program at \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/centers\/marshall\/home\/index.html\u0022\u003ENASA\u0026rsquo;s Marshall Space Flight Center\u003C\/a\u003E. I spent 10 weeks working on my own heliophysics research project, and I went to a conference in San Francisco in the fall to present my research.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAt the end of my sophomore year, after applications to REU programs didn\u0026rsquo;t pan out, I reached out to School of Physics Professor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.physics.gatech.edu\/user\/deirdre-shoemaker\u0022\u003EDeirdre Shoemaker\u003C\/a\u003E and was accepted to work with her and the Laser-Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) group, the international collaboration that was the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.news.gatech.edu\/features\/gravitational-waves-observed\u0022\u003Efirst to detect gravitational waves in 2015\u003C\/a\u003E. To have been a part of the greatest scientific discovery of this century will always be so special to me.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe summers after my third and fourth years, I applied to various REU programs and positions at NASA, but did not get any position. A mentor of mine from NASA helped me get an internship at NASA Ames in California. I worked for one of the same scientists this past summer, too, characterizing near-Earth asteroids.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWhere there is a will, there is a way.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat surprised you most at Georgia Tech?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe multitude of opportunities at Georgia Tech far exceeded my expectations: many teams in various disciplines working on cutting-edge research, hundreds of student organizations, and study-abroad programs enabling exciting travel to many parts of the world. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhich professor(s) or class(es) made a big impact on you?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.physics.gatech.edu\/user\/deirdre-shoemaker\u0022\u003EDeirdre Shoemaker\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.physics.gatech.edu\/user\/james-sowell\u0022\u003EJames Sowell\u003C\/a\u003E, and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/inta.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/7ab0af21-1024-551c-a2fe-c9f083ea56d3\u0022\u003EJennie Lincoln\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen Dr. Shoemaker substituted for one of my physics courses, I was immediately impressed with her brilliance, ability to engage students, and energy. After my sophomore year, I began working with her on gravitational-wave physics. It could not have been timed more perfectly, as the first detection of a gravitational wave occurred that fall. In addition to being my primary research adviser, Dr. Shoemaker taught the relativity class I took and advised the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.wip.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech Society of Women in Physics\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EI went to high school with Dr. Sowell\u0026rsquo;s son. During my senior year, Dr. Sowell encouraged me to study physics at Georgia Tech. I took two of his classes, on the solar system and stellar astrophysics. I also worked with him during public nights at the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.physics.gatech.edu\/content\/gt-observatory-public-nights\u0022\u003EGeorgia Tech Observatory\u003C\/a\u003E. In summer 2015, we did binary-star research, which was \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/iopscience.iop.org\/article\/10.1088\/1538-3873\/128\/970\/124202\/meta\u0022\u003Epublished in fall 2016\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EDr. Lincoln is one of my professors on the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pacific.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EPacific Study Abroad Program\u003C\/a\u003E. She inspires me, as she has one of the most successful careers of any woman I know. Her work with President Jimmy Carter constantly reminds me of how important it is to show kindness to other people. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThese three professors have continuously supported my endeavors.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat is your most vivid memory of Georgia Tech?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFebruary 11, 2016, was one of the best days of my time at Georgia Tech. On that day, LIGO announced that we had successfully \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.cos.gatech.edu\/hg\/item\/499161\u0022\u003Edetected our first gravitational wave\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMy family and I were among those who attended the community viewing of a live press conference by the National Science Foundation. We were amazed to hear that the binary black hole system that created the gravitational wave was over one billion light years away. I will always remember the excitement of that day and the foundation it laid for a new era of gravitational wave astrophysics.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat was the most valuable outcome of your participation in experiential learning activities?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWhile in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pacific.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EPacific Study Abroad Program\u003C\/a\u003E in the spring of 2015, I scuba-dived on the Great Barrier Reef while spending the week on a remote island. In Fiji, I scuba-dived with about 40 sharks. On another scuba diving trip, I helped collect several hundred pounds of debris.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EI climbed a volcano in New Zealand. I pointed a telescope at Jupiter while standing on the beach.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EI witnessed life below the ocean\u0026rsquo;s surface and looked at other planets in the night sky. I was reminded of the vastness of nature. The richness of my adventures taught me about the importance of caring for the world and all of its beauty.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAs humans are quickly destroying coral reefs, it is more important now more than ever to promote the well-being of all creatures. I hope to be a life-long adventurer and always take the time to ensure that my actions support sustainability.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat advice would you give to incoming Georgia Tech freshmen?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EDevelop well-roundedness in college. Life is much more than being a great scientist, engineer, mathematician, or businessperson. Academic and career pursuits are important and deserve proper attention and energy. However, it is equally important to be a good friend, citizen, and leader.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGet involved in communities that recognize your strengths and encourage you to pursue your passions. Take time for what makes you happy. Pursuing interests outside the classroom often makes you a better student.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EI am passionate about increasing the number of women and girls in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). As a part of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/OneVoiceAtlanta\/\u0022\u003EOne Voice Atlanta\u003C\/a\u003E, Georgia Tech\u0026rsquo;s anti-sex-trafficking organization, I partnered with a local after-school program whose students come from low-income families and are at risk for becoming trafficked or traffickers. I help lead monthly STEM activities and plan field trips to Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow did Georgia Tech help you for your next step after graduation?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EI will start my Ph.D. in astrophysics in fall 2018. I am still applying so I do not know yet where I will be.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMy Georgia Tech education helped prepare me for this next step by providing me many opportunities to think critically, innovate, work as a member of a team, and speak to the public about my research.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EMy ultimate dream is to be an astronaut. While at Georgia Tech, I met several astronauts including \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.jsc.nasa.gov\/Bios\/htmlbios\/magnus.html\u0022\u003ESandra Magnus\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.jsc.nasa.gov\/Bios\/htmlbios\/davis.html\u0022\u003EJan Davis\u003C\/a\u003E. Seeing people who look like me excelling in the career I want to pursue inspires me and reassures me that I am capable. \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"Advice to new students: Develop well-roundedness; take time for what makes you happy "}],"field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EKatherine Avery \u0026ldquo;Kate\u0026rdquo; Napier had wanted to attend Georgia Tech ever since she was in elementary school. Growing up, she attended summer robotics and swim camps at Tech and participated in annual dance performances at the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/arts.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EFerst Center for the Arts\u003C\/a\u003E. \u0026nbsp;\u0026ldquo;I applied to Georgia Tech for early admission,\u0026rdquo; she recalls. \u0026ldquo;I still remember opening the acceptance email surrounded by my family. I never applied to another college. It was an easy decision.\u0026rdquo;\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Katherine Avery \u201cKate\u201d Napier had wanted to attend Georgia Tech ever since she was in elementary school."}],"uid":"30678","created_gmt":"2017-12-04 17:50:16","changed_gmt":"2017-12-04 17:51:46","author":"A. Maureen Rouhi","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2017-12-14T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2017-12-14T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"599492":{"id":"599492","type":"image","title":"Kate Napier, B.S. in Physics, Fall 2017","body":null,"created":"1512408435","gmt_created":"2017-12-04 17:27:15","changed":"1512408435","gmt_changed":"2017-12-04 17:27:15","alt":"","file":{"fid":"228553","name":"KateNapier.crop_.square.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/KateNapier.crop_.square.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/KateNapier.crop_.square.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":111886,"path_740":"http:\/\/www.tlwarc.hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/KateNapier.crop_.square.jpg?itok=opKuG5jl"}}},"media_ids":["599492"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.cos.gatech.edu\/hg\/item\/584826","title":"Center Stage: Kate Napier is a Driving Force Helping Girls and Women Succeed in STEM Fields "}],"groups":[{"id":"1278","name":"College of Sciences"}],"categories":[{"id":"42911","name":"Education"}],"keywords":[{"id":"176345","name":"Fall 2017 Graduates"},{"id":"4896","name":"College of Sciences"},{"id":"166937","name":"School of Physics"},{"id":"172927","name":"Kate Napier"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EA. Maureen Rouhi, Ph.D.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nDirector of Communications\u003Cbr \/\u003E\r\nCollege of Sciences\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["maureen.rouhi@cos.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}