Nathan A. Valadez
Curriculum Vitae
Nathan Valadez received his Bachelor of Science in Physics with a minor in Mathematics from Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, in 2022. He is currently a Graduate Research Assistant in the Neupane Lab: Quantum Material Research Group under the supervision of Dr. Madhab Neupane. While at Texas A&M, Nathan was awarded the Dr. Joseph Newton Undergraduate Service Award in 2022. Since joining UCF in 2022, he has received the Physics Department’s Above & Beyond Award (2024) and the outReach for the Stars Award (2023). His research focuses on studying the electronic structure and properties in a variety of new quantum materials through the utilization of the spectroscopic technique called Angle Resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy (ARPES). Below is a full list of Nathan’s experiences, and his publications can be found on the Publications page.
Education
Fall 2022-Present
University of Central Florida
Orlando, Florida
Ph.D. in Physics
Expected Graduation: Spring 2026
Fall 2018-Spring 2022
Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas
Bachelor of Science in Physics
Minor in Mathematics
Research
Fall 2022-Present
University of Central Florida
Orlando, Florida
Neupane Lab: Quantum Material Research Group
Advisor: Dr. Madhab Neupane
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Performing the experimental technique known as Angle-Resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy (ARPES) in order to directly visualize electronic band dispersions and characterizing topological materials.
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Continued the investigation on highly-correlated topological materials within the LnSbTe system by using APRES and presented results made by the group at national and local conferences.
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Presented knowledge gained on topics such as photoelectric spectroscopy, topological quantum materials, magnetic topological materials, and rare Earth based materials.
Spring 2020-Spring 2022
Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas
Analysis of online resources on student learning outcomes (PER)
Advisor: Dr. Tatiana Erukhimova
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Performed an investigation on the relation between use of supplemental materials and student performance in a calculus-based introductory electromagnetism course through the use of exam scores and normalized gain on pre and post BEMA examination.
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Analyzed the significance of the data that was collected and considered possible factors that contributed to the data (first generation status, gender, and scores on SAT Math section and TAMU’s Math Placement Exam) and ran a paired t-test on the pre and post BEMA examination using SPSS.
Spring 2019-Spring 2020
Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas
Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (CDMS) Group
Advisor: Dr. Rupak Mahapatra
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Designed a housing for Cs-I crystals using Solidworks and soldered circuit components on photomultiplier tubes that were used for our Positron Emission Tomography (PET) detector.
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Maintained and serviced the usage of Bluefors SD Dilution Refrigerator and disassembled parts of 2 different dilution refrigerators in order to test components for detectors in cryogenic temperatures.
Teaching
Spring 2023-Fall 2023
University of Central Florida
Orlando, Florida
Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA)
GTA for the Department of Physics
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Lead discussion and lab sessions for both calculus-based introductory Mechanics and Electricity & Magnetism
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Gave a weekly lecture to 300+ undergraduate students across eight different 50 minute sections and helped students with weekly discussion problems.
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Took attendance of students that were in the session that would impact their final grade in the course.
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Created a Discord for students in both Mechanics and Electricity & Magnetism to provide another resource in case they had questions related to the course.
Fall 2021
Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas
Undergraduate Teaching Fellows
Peer Teacher for the Department of Physics and Astronomy
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Gave a series of 5 weekly 50 minute lectures to 15+ freshman physics students on topics of linear algebra (systems of equations, matrix algebra, determinants, eigenvalues, and eigenvectors) as a part of an advanced math module within Physics Freshman Orientation (PHYS 101) course.
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Created my own weekly homework assignments based off of my lecture material, assisted students that needed guidance during and outside of office hours, and graded assignments.
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Assisted students in using LaTeX
Spring 2019-Summer 2022
Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas
New Student Conference Mentor
Peer Mentor for the Department of Physics and Astronomy
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Welcomed over 200 newly enrolled physics students to the department during Texas A&M’s New Student Conference (NSC) that occurred multiple times during the summer for the past 3 years (never missed a single NSC).
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Assisted as a peer mentor to incoming physics freshman and transfer students by helping make schedules, share valuable experience as a college student, and give advice/opinions on classes.
Fall 2023
Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas
Classroom Field Observer
Student of TAMU’s SCEN 201
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Gained field experience and observed teaching strategies and pedagogy employed by experienced teachers in both a high school and middle school algebra classroom as part of Experiences In Secondary Math and Science Classrooms (SCEN 201) course.
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Assisted/tutored students during in-class assignments.
Relevant Courses
University of Central Florida
Orlando, Florida
Graduate-Level Core Courses
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Classical Mechanics
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Electrodynamics I & II
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Quantum Mechanics I & II
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Statistical Mechanics
Additional Courses​
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Condensed Matter Physics I & II
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Data Science for Materials Scientists (Python)
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Nuclear Physics (Audit)
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Elementary Japanese Language and Civilization I (Audit)
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Computational Physics (Fortran)
Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas
Core Courses
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Advanced Mechanics I & II
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Advanced Electricity and Magnetism I & II
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Quantum Mechanics
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Mathematical Methods I & II
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Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
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Additional Courses
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Experiences in Secondary Math and Science Classrooms
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Linear Algebra for Differential Equations
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Nuclear Physics
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Superconductivity and Superfluidity (Graduate Level)
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Complex Analysis
Positions of Responsibility
Graduate Society of Physics Students: President
2024-President
Organized multiple social events for members and welcomed new and potential graduate students to the department. Advertised student participation in the 7-year Academic Program Review of our graduate program and held general meetings to provide members with departmental updates. I continue to serve as a student representative on the graduate recruitment and outreach committee. Additionally, I ran six recitation sessions for students preparing for the Written Qualification Exams.
Graduate Society of Physics Students: Co-president
2023 - 2024
Collaborated with my fellow Co-president and Vice President to revitalize the organization following disruptions caused by COVID-19. Leveraged social media platforms to unite members across different cohort years and developed strategic plans for meetings and organizational activities. Additionally, I partnered with the departmental outreach coordinator to implement effective volunteer recruitment strategies and secured a budget in collaboration with the department to support organizational initiatives and member activities.
Society of Physics Students (Chapter 7149): President
2021-2022
Tasked with being the voice and to represent the entire undergraduate students in the physics department when participating in events on and off campus. Interviewed and created a director team of enthusiastic undergraduate students that demonstrated great communication, reliability, and a genuine love of physics during meetings and outreach events. In charge of gathering guest speakers and planning general meetings. In charge of a ~$2000 budget and finalized every social and outreach event that members are able to participate in.
Discover, Explore, and Enjoy Physics (DEEP): DEEP Leader
2020-2021
Organized projects and acted as a point of contact for DEEP mentors. Maintained ~$100 budgets for demos and researched necessary parts necessary for demonstrations. Encouraged cooperation and communication amongst all members to ensure projects are completed on time and informed DEEP mentors on progress on projects.
Society of Physics Students (Chapter 7149): Vice President
2020-2021
Supported and worked closely with the President of our organization to plan out every general and director meetings, finalize any social or outreach events, and keep track of a $1500+ budget. Maintained a relationship with many professors and directors by constantly helping around and networking in the department in order to generate new ideas for events that our members can participate in.
Society of Physics Students (Chapter 7149): Social Events Officer
2020-2021
Worked closely with the SPS president in order to create a safe and fun environment for all SPS members
during social events and meetings and meet with prospective TAMU students during Aggieland Saturday.
Coordinated with other SPS directors in order to finalize logistics and $100+ budgets for specific events.
Planned and coordinated the set up and trivia night for the second annual end of the year SPS Banquet.
Involvement & Outreach
Graduate Society of Physics Students: President
Spring 2023-Present
The voice of the graduate students within the Department of Physics at UCF. Similar to that of SPS, GSPS provides an opportunity for graduate students to come together in order to better the work/student environment within the department and connect graduate students to local volunteering events that promote science.
APS March Meeting Recruiter: Volunteer
Spring 2023 - Present
Step-up and led the graduate school fair table during the APS March meeting and represented UCF by answering questions and giving advice to prospective undergraduate students looking at graduate schools.
Physics Career Exploration Day: Volunteer
Spring 2023 -Present
Reached out to prospective physics undergraduate students (many of which were still in high school) and families of the different career opportunities within the field of physics by giving lab tours and answering questions on what it’s like majoring in physics.
Spark STEM Fest: Volunteer
Spring 2023 - Present
Presented physics demonstrations to the general public during the annual Spark STEM Fest event at the Orlando Science Center.
STEM Day: Volunteer
Fall 2022 - Present
Presented physics demonstrations to K-12 students during UCF’s biannual STEM Day event.
Just Add Science: Volunteer
Fall 2019 - Spring 2022
Helped in the performances of the TAMU Physics Show and met people at existing events and venues throughout the Bryan/College Station area and engage people in an exciting science experiences.
Discover, Explore, and Experience Physics (DEEP): DEEP Leader
Spring 2019 - Fall 2021
Researched, designed, and fabricated science demonstrations that can be used during the annual Physics Festival and during physics lectures (current project: ping pong cannon).
Society of Physics Students (SPS): President
Fall 2018 - Spring 2022
Provide opportunities for physics majors and enthusiasts to come together to promote physics on and of campus through local outreach, volunteering events that promote science, and general meetings.
First Friday’s Downtown Bryan, TX: Volunteer
Spring 2020 - Spring 2022
Presented demonstrations to the general public during monthly First Friday event in downtown Bryan, TX
Texas A&M Physics Shows: Volunteer
Fall 2019 - Spring 2022
Assisted Dr. Tatiana in the performance of Texas A&M’s physics shows for students K-12.
Also organized and presented a series of hands on demonstrations for students after the
show.
Game Day Physics Program: Volunteer
Fall 2019 - Fall 2022
Organized and presented physics demonstrations to the general public before a select number of home football games.
Texas A&M Physics and Engineering Festival: Volunteer
Spring 2019 - Spring 2022
Annual event in which Texas A&M invites the general public to experience over 100 different hands-on science demonstrations and public lecture/presentation from guest
speakers. Annually, over 4,000 people would attend the event from all across the U.S. and world.
Texas A&M Chemistry Open House: Volunteer
Fall 2018 – Fall 2022
Annual event hosted by the Chemistry Department at Texas A&M that invited the general
public to promote the public awareness and importance of chemistry in everyday life. During
the event, the physics department would host a set of hands-on physics demonstrations for
the public to interact with.
Professional Societies
American Physical Society (APS)
2022-Present
American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT)
2019 – 2022
Society of Physics Students (SPS)
2018 – 2022
American Institute of Physics (AIP)
2018 – 2022
Skills
Experienced in:
Some Experience in:
Woodworking
Machine Tools
Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft Office
LaTeX
Soldering
PIRA Demostration Catalog
SPSS
Igor Pro
Japanese (Basic)
Python
Java
SolidWorks
C++
Gnuplot
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