This summer, Skyline College successfully launched the inaugural Summer Introduction to Research and Experimentation in Nuclear Physics (SIREN) program.
Over the course of three weeks, 24 students participated in this intensive experience, working in six collaborative teams. Each team was guided by a faculty advisor and supported by a peer mentor, ensuring a strong framework of academic and peer-to-peer mentorship.
Students developed a broad set of skills, including:
- Electronics, soldering, and 3D printing
- Python-based data analysis and applications of artificial intelligence (AI)
- Nuclear and particle physics fundamentals
- Exploration of STEM career pathways
- Communication, information literacy, and strategies to address imposter syndrome
A central achievement of the program was that each student built and operated a Cosmic Watch, a portable cosmic ray detector. Building on this foundation, teams designed and conducted independent research projects, several of which focused on preparing for Skyline’s upcoming high-altitude balloon mission this fall, part of the High-altitude Engineering for Research in Astrophysics (HERA) collaboration.
Students also benefited from a series of guest lectures and mentorship sessions delivered by collaborators from the nEXO Collaboration and HERA, as well as alumni from Skyline’s own nEXO group. These sessions provided students with valuable perspectives on research, academic pathways, and careers in STEM. The program is grateful to Astrid Anker, Evan Angelico, Erica Caden, Simon Herrmann, Jiries Kaileh, Brian Lenardo, Christina Love, Madeleine McSwain, and Monica Mendoza for their contributions.
The growth in technical expertise, confidence, and scientific curiosity among students was evident throughout the program. The success of SIREN reflects Skyline College’s commitment to providing transformative research opportunities that connect students with real-world science and position them for future success when they transfer and beyond.
The program would have not be possible without the commitment of peers mentors, Daria Baitazarova, Yuting Duan, Tin Htoo, Codie Lai, Aryanna Mendoza, Eslin Villalta, and Valeria Zarco, as well as advisors, Emilie Hein, Denise Hum, Jessica Hurless, Luis Prado, Susanne Schubert, Pia Walawalkar, Marco Wehrfritz, and Polin Yadak.
It was funded as part of the Pathways to Improved Representation in Advanced NucleAr science (PIRANA) program at Skyline College, which was in its second and final year, building on the foundation established by a previous two-year project funded under the US Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science (SC) “Research Traineeships to Broaden and Diversify Nuclear Physics” pilot program. PIRANA is funded by the DOE SC’s Reaching a New Energy Sciences Workforce (RENEW) program, which aims to support research at institutions historically underrepresented in its research portfolio.
Emilie Hein, who leads this initiative, had the opportunity to present PIRANA and SIREN at the 2025 American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) Summer Meeting in Washington, D.C. in August.
For additional photos and highlights, please visit @skyline.physics on Instagram.
This work is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science (Office of Nuclear Physics), under Award Number DE-SC0024677.
Article by: Emilie Hein, Denise Hum, Jessica Hurless, Luis Prado, Susanne Schubert, Pia Walawalkar, Marco Wehrfritz
Photo credit: Emilie Hein, Monica Mendoza
