Piper Malczewski, 2024 AIP Niels Bohr Library and Archives

Biography

SPS Chapter: University of Colorado-Denver

I have a deep interest in the way that things work and currently study undergraduate physics at the University of Colorado Denver. I am a first-generation college student and military veteran. Interdisciplinary by nature, I am committed to developing creative and innovative research projects that impact society in positive ways. I enjoy problem-solving and care deeply about the applications of my work.

I am currently concentrated on the use of applied physics in energy solutions and climate resilient innovation. A lifelong learner, I would like to continue this important work with a PhD. After graduation, I would like to continue to learn, contribute to new knowledge, and share mine with others through teaching.

Creativity in science extends into my craft where I write my own instrumental music on the piano. Aside from playing instruments, I also enjoy writing fiction, charcoal drawing, and appreciating a good story through literature, cinema, or theatre.

Internship

Host: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Internship Blog

Week 1: Hello, Washington, D.C.

Part One: Arrival

It’s crazy to think that just nine days ago I was on an isolated beach in Costa Rica, timing the high tide to climb a waterfall which would lead us to the nearest town. A few days before that, I was on an air balloon over the illustrious Teotihuacán pyramids in San Martín, México. And now, I am approximately 1,660 miles from my home in the North American plateau and high desert of Denver, Colorado.

Arriving in Washington meant overcoming an unexpected 12-hour flight diversion in Cleveland, Ohio. Settling into Washington meant combatting severe thunderstorms in the pursuit of groceries which were of course placed into paper bags. I am sure it is common knowledge that paper does not maintain its’ integrity well in water- yet the sacrifice was worth the small environmental impact. After two days and help from two separate Metro attendants (heroes), I was able to fix my Metro card for commuting around the city.

This is my first time in the Northeast part of the country. It is different from Colorado in so many ways: 1) everything is greener, 2) there is so much more water in the air, 3) the elevation is almost 5,000 ft lower (which means I can run a mile about 1 minute faster than usual), and 4) the fashion is impeccable. Of course, there are many more ways in which this part of the country varies compared to home. Notably, I have a great appreciation for the integrative dynamic of Washington which could be described as a “hustle and bustle” but with a diverse, cultural charm.

Part Two: Radiation Physics

Did you know that radiation is everywhere? Humans have evolved in a world filled with radiation. Many are familiar with the radiation from the sun, but I think less of the general population knows about sources such as soil radiation. Bananas, for example, are minimally radioactive. In fact, they are used as an equivalent measuring tool to put into relevant perspective different quantities of radiation. The radiation due to a flight from coast to coast in the U.S. is equivalent to eating several hundreds of bananas! I learned this on my first day as a NIST intern under the Dosimetry and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) Spectroscopy expertise of Dr. Ileana Pazos, my research mentor for the summer.

In the first week, I learned about different types of radiation such as alpha, beta-plus, beta-minus, gamma, and neutron radiation. I also got familiar with my project: emergency preparedness in radiation dosimetry. I learned about half-lives, what makes a nucleus unstable, applications and theory of irradiation, and how we measure the energy of an unpaired electron using EPR Spectroscopy. I’ve learned all of this and more in the first week- so I can only imagine how much I will learn this summer! Needless to say, I am already getting excited for the end of the summer presentation symposium.

Follow my journey in Radiation Physics this summer for more factoids! ‘Til next week,

Week 3: Let the Bad Times Roll – A Brief Thought Exercise in Resilience

A catchy song by 90’s punk band The Offspring or helpful advice when things happen that are out of our control? Resilience, noun; the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties.

Resilience is a quality I’ve put onto my resume for several years. Raised in low socioeconomic status, a first-generation high school graduate, college student, and U.S. Army veteran, I’m surely acquainted with Resilience. If Resilience was one of the personas in Pixar’s Inside Out, I think they would essentially be a free-floating body of semi-gelatinous water, but entirely contained within a boundary. Semi-gelatinous, because of a tougher consistency than water but still adaptable to its surroundings. And contained within a boundary, because of its ability to collect and maintain itself. I asked generative AI to produce an image of Resilience as a persona from Inside Out and it gave me the image attached.

Isn’t technology great? I’m not sure if my favorite part is the bags under her eyes, or the fact that she’s missing a foot. I think we can all agree though, she looks determined.

So where do we fit Resilience into our lives, both small and big? It fits into the mornings when you find unexpected mold on the bread you were going to have for breakfast. It fits into the tardy commuting rail, coupled with a road closure that makes you an hour late to work for the day. It fits into the fussy instrument you’re working with in the lab, or maybe into the lack of results that support your hypothesis. It fits into an uncertain situation that has direct effects on you. It fits into a late homework assignment, or a low grade on an exam you worked really hard for. It fits into the 12-hour plane delay. It fits into the sudden loss of a parent. Really, I guess, it fits into just about every time something happens that is out of our control.

What does Resilience look like? It looks like eating spaghetti for breakfast. It looks like healthy communication with a supervisor. It looks like patience and trying again. It looks like double-checking your math, experimental procedures, and data with an open mind. It looks like hoping for the best possible outcome and trying your best each day, even when the future feels uncertain. It looks like reviewing the things you didn’t understand and trying again because you have faith in your ability to do better. It looks like kindness towards others, despite things feeling chaotic. It looks like sharing a sense of humor with the absurd. It looks like strengthening the relationships with the people closest to you and revering the time you share with them.

It looks like trying again, and again.

I think I’ll keep Resilience on my resume. Thanks, Offspring.

Week 4: When Life Gives You Lemons...

Don’t get me wrong, lemonade is a phenomenal drink. Its refreshing properties are unparalleled. I remember selling lemonade as a kid in my neighborhood, during the summertime. I swear, I spoke the language of money more fluently as a kid than I do as an adult- I had several successful business ventures. Nowadays, it’s all “science!” this and “civil rights!” that. When you’re a kid, if life gives you lemons, make lemonade; but then, sell it and make a profit. I understood this from a young age.

As you get older, you learn that you have more options with your lemons. 1) Lemons contain polyphenols which have been studied for their health benefits. One of those include possible anti-aging effects over prolonged intake (Shimizu, et. al, 2019). So, when life gives you lemons, build the fountain of youth! Use it for yourself, share it with friends, study it, write a book on it, hide its location and make a treasure map. 2) Gather some copper and zinc and stick them into your lemons. Connect these lemon cell electrodes with some alligator clips to something you want to power, and voila! You have a lemon battery. These lemon batteries generate low currents, but there is always potential (pun absolutely intended). You could spend the next decade, or so, optimizing the lemon battery for alternative power generation of small electronics. 3) Each lemon typically produces about 8 seeds. Having a fairly high germination rate, we could expect maybe 5+ of these seeds to sprout. If care is taken, we could expect maybe 3+ of these seeds to produce fruit bearing trees. Each tree has a life expectancy of several decades and can produce several tons of lemons in its lifetime. Once we begin growing lemons though, we can circle back around to the first option and cycle through, finding more and more uses for lemons. The catch is that these trees could take more than 5 years to produce fruit. The reward is clear, but it takes patience. So, we have a choice when life gives us lemons: use the fruit for our benefit now and be lemon-less until life feels generous again, or we can nurture the seeds as little packets of potential and self-sustain our lemon habits ourselves for a lifetime.

When life gives you lemons, you have options- you don’t have to make lemonade. Each lemon is an opportunity. As long as we do something with the lemons, there isn’t a “right” choice to make. Each one will bring some form of profit.

This week I’ve been given the lemon to join the team at the Niels Bohr Library and Archives (NBLA) of the American Institute of Physics. With more than 10,000 collections, 30,000 photographs, and 1,500 oral histories at the NBLA, it is difficult to choose my focus for a project. Given my interest in civil rights and a background in social sciences, it would be interesting to find intersections of these topics with physical sciences. However, my main agenda in my career is advocacy of some form in climate change and climate resiliency- whether that takes the form of research, technical innovation, or public policy. I’ve narrowed my interests to four possible topics:

• Immigrant scientists
• Scientists who’ve overcome poverty and low socioeconomics to achieve education and contribute successfully to their fields
• Lab notebooks and the creative process of highly achieved scientists, inventors, or engineers
• International scientific policy, stance, and global relations on climate change and the status of climate resilience for their people

Since we live in a democracy, I’ve created a Google form to get a vote for the topics that would interest people most! If you want clarification on these topics before choosing, or are interested in the results, you can connect with me!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/piper-malczewski

Email: piper.mal586 [at] gmail.com

Check back next week to hear more about my decision!

Week 5: Some of the Things I Love

In the last week, I’ve gotten to do some of my favorite things: teach, make art, exercise political advocacy, practice good science communication, learn, and research a topic I’m passionate about!

Last weekend, we got to participate in the Astronomy on the National Mall event that is hosted each year in DC. This was such a great event because it was attended by adults and kids alike, both with an excitement to learn about physics and astronomy- and I got to do one of my favorite things: teach! During the school year, I teach in the physics labs at the University of Colorado Denver as a teaching assistant. The students I get to work with are usually non-physics majors, which is always especially fun because you get the chance to help them love physics. Students usually take the class because it is required as a part of their non-physics major: chemistry, biology, architecture, mechanical engineering, etc. Unfortunately, physics tends to get a bad rap, and students come to the intro labs reluctantly. At CU Denver, though, I’m lucky to be a part of a uniquely awesome physics department, and it’s not uncommon for students to actually change their majors to physics or claim a physics minor after taking our labs! This is one of my favorite things to see: others falling in love with physics as a discipline. At the astronomy event last weekend, I had several chances to see adults learn new things (which is always amazing) like the fact that light travels faster than sound. I also got to see the brilliance of young minds as scientific investigators, like when they were able to conclude the difference in pitch of Boomwhackers is probably due to the difference in sizes; without knowing anything else! I love watching the human brain at work.

This week, I have been working hard in the evenings on my summer classes: U.S. Music- Social and Political Impacts, and Introduction to Political Science. I have been working on an art project where I get to display some political topic via an art medium. I’ve chosen to talk about healthcare in the U.S., with a focus on the tendency of symptom treatment as opposed to preventative care. When I was in middle school, I used to draw animated comics and I’ve always had an immense appreciation for animation- so I explored my topic through some colorful comic strips, cutout using construction paper. It was really great to exercise some political advocacy and artistic creation. I also got to attend a great workshop hosted by the American Institute of Physics on science communication and misinformation. The workshop gave me practical skills to help build and maintain relationships when addressing misinformation either on social media, or in conversation.

This previous week, I also decided on my summer project with the Niels Bohr Library and Archives (NBLA). The project gives me an opportunity to do archival research for the first time! I will explore disproportionality in community climate resilience based on wealth, from the intersection of science and policy. Essentially, some communities around the globe are at higher risk to the effects of climate change, and the wealth of the nation is piece of the risk assessment. So my interest is in the role that science and policy play in strengthening the resilience of these vulnerable communities to climate change. This is a topic I’m really passionate about as a career focus, and the basis of my thesis in my undergraduate degree. However, in this environment I also get access to archival records from the NBLA and the Library of Congress, so it gives me an especially unique perspective on the topic!

Week 7: Dear Diary...

Network, network, network! My research mentor at the University of Colorado at Denver is very popular- and I am now responsible for THREE hello’s from various people. The list just keeps growing! When we arrived in DC, we were made aware how important it was to network, especially in a city like DC. SPS even made us business cards! I think my favorite part about networking though, is the exchange of energy and ideas. I love learning about what others are passionate about and looking for ways to unite our strengths, creativity, and drives. In the last couple of weeks, I’ve networked with employees of the DOE, NREL, and even some fellow musicians in Denver, CO. The latter gave me amazing tips for gathering the gusto to finally share some of my own music- and now all my family members are going to receive mixtapes for Christmas. Now I belong to several communities that I am passionate about. There is strength in community. As I begin to prepare, mentally, for my last year in my undergrad, I feel myself getting excited to return to Denver and kick butt in my studies- but mostly, I am excited for the feeling of community that comes with struggling (and ultimately prevailing) through something difficult alongside the people you call your friends. I am excited to get confused together in and out of class, cheer each other on before an exam, and in May, walk next to them at graduation. The physics community at CU Denver is my original network.

In the meantime though, I am grateful for my network and community here in DC at SPS and AIP. Our project abstracts are due tomorrow and our final presentations are in just a few weeks. I think that this might be an appropriate time to shoutout some of the SPS and AIP team for supporting me this summer through some of the most difficult things, including the passing of my step-father: Mikayla Cleaver, Kayla Stephens, Alejandro De La Puente, Rianna Ehrenreich, and Louan Jordan each made my internship experience possible through their dedication to SPS values of supporting students and helping them succeed. Without their dedication (and others at AIP and SPS) to students, completing this internship wouldn’t have been possible! I am lucky to be a part of a community like SPS, which elevates students through resources and community.

I am getting really excited for the final culmination of my project this summer with the Niels Bohr Library and Archives. I’ve learned a TON about climate change, policy, the role of science/scientists in all of it, and the concept of climate resilience. I’ve always said that I’m terrible with history, dates, and government documents but I suppose that only goes as far as my interest. I can now refer to Principles and chapters in Agenda 21 of the Rio Conference in 1992 (such as Principle 22, which states the necessity to include indigenous knowledge in the advancement and strengthening of climate resilience), the year that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was formed (1988, the same year that Dr. Syukuro Manabe and Dr. James Hansen testified in front of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources), the year that the Charney Panel was formed (1989), and so much more. Can you tell I’m a little nerded out on the topic?

Also, it’s my birthday month! Countdown to my birthday is 13 days. My mother-in-law and my partner will be visiting at the end of the month for it, and it’s my mother-in-law’s first time in DC! I am so excited to show her all the cool cafes, libraries, museums, and restaurants I’ve found; and of course, all of the beautiful monuments. This piece of the world really is so unique, and at the heart of the U.S. Its energy is stimulating and I think I’ve always had a passion for civic stewardship, but now I have a policy bug. Thanks DC, for confusing my career trajectories.

Week 8: Isn’t it cool how little, random, unexpected moments can have such lasting effects?

Last week we got to attend a talk at NIST by Dr. Sarah Hörst. She is one of the leading scientists on NASA’s Dragonfly rotorcraft for Titan, one of Saturn’s moons. Titan is awesome (Dr. Hörst’swords). The moon is half the size of Earth in diameter, a little more than 1/50th the mass of it and most excitingly, it has an atmosphere, a subsurface water ocean (with evidence of liquid water on the surface in the past), and surface lakes of ethane and methane. Its atmosphere is mostly nitrogen, like Earth’s. And scientists have found evidence that Titan has what we would consider to be building blocks of life: amino acids, nucleotide bases, and other organic compounds.

When I first made the switch from neuroscience to physics, I fully intended to go into astrophysics. The University of Colorado Boulder has an amazing astro program and I had always been interested in learning about the universe beyond Earth. After my second year in applied physics, I found a passion for climate change and accessibility to knowledge. I found an intersection in these two areas through science advocacy in climate resilience. I am troubled by the way that overexploited communities around the world are going to beaffected the most by climate change, and I decided that I wanted to do something tangible with my physics knowledge. I understand that I have a privilege to learn and become educated, and I believe that puts me into a position to make that knowledge accessible to others in a way that benefits society. By my third year in physics, I knew that I wanted to go into materials and energy in applied physics- and I left behind astrophysics.

It is interesting that Dr. Hörst had a similar journey. She talked about how she was torn between planetary sciences and climate change when she approached graduate school. She described her decision to pursue planetary sciences as a head vs heart scenario, where her heart was on planetary sciences. The way that her hour-long presentation went by so quickly for me reminds me that I have a similar diverging path ahead of me, where I haven’t yet fully made a decision.

Week 9: Eckhart Piper

I had a birthday pass this summer and I’m officially 26 years old. For every two years, I have a lesson to share:

1. Take advantage of every opportunity you are met with; but maybe don’t go forcing things.

2. With that, trust that the things you thought were best for you, aren’t always right at that time. The things that are meant for you will come.

3. You’re allowed to not fit into the status quo. You have permission to be this andthat.

4. Creativity fits into every area of life, no matter what anybody tells you.

5. Do the things that make you happy. It is so simple to state and sort of cliche, but difficult to execute.

6. Other people are cheering you on, like you cheer them on.

7. Lean into the spaces that light you up.

8. You are so much more capable than you think.

9. Take more pictures and videos of your loved ones than you think is necessary.

10. You aren’t supposed to be anywhere else than where you are right now. You aren’t “behind” and there is no “right” way to do things.

11. Practice gratuity, and carry yourself with the acknowledgement of all that you’ve accomplished- as well as the lessons you’ve learned from mistakes you’ve made. This will help you build ownership over your life, bringing more peace and happiness.

12. The universe is under no obligation to unfold according to your plans. In fact, it likely won’t. So making peace with that now will definitely make you more pleasant to be around.

13. Give yourself some grace! Nobody is perfect- and if they were, life would be boring.

Week 10: I’m really bad at goodbyes.

It’s the end of the summer, which means that to my delight; pumpkin spice is hitting the shelves, 99 degree days are becoming more rare, afternoon thunderstorms are rolling in everyday, I’m starting to plan my Halloween costume (Spock?), and the end of my internship with SPS is here. The feeling of accomplishment alongside others is one of my favorite human things.

Humans are adorable. We all get together in close proximity to each other and go “Yay! You did a thing!” and hit the palms of our hands together (clapping) to show approval and celebration. Everybody shows their teeth a lot (smiling), and then eventually farewells are in order for every celebration. I am really impressed by all of the amazing work my peers did this summer, especially how passionate they were in their final products.

Saying goodbye to DC was bittersweet. I am happy to return to my dry, high desert and mountains; but I will definitely miss the higher standard of fashion, peak of cultural diversity, and beautiful, enormous architecture and monuments. DC is like the Rome of the U.S. all the way down to the humidity (which I will not miss). I feel really fortunate to have been able to spend a summer in this unique city, first in the family to even see it!

I still have some work to finish up with my project from the summer: a series of blog posts and an interactive timeline. Thankfully, my mentors are willing to keep working with me to finish up before the fall semester begins! Thanks to this project, I feel so much more equipped to continue my research at CU Denver in industrial energy materials innovation, with a focus on accessibility for vulnerable regions to climate change. I feel lucky that I got to spend an entire summer doing the background research in science history and policy for my thesis. I think that the work I did this summer with SPS would be a good fit for the 2025 AAAS conference in Boston, MA.

The work doesn’t end with the SPS internship. I have so much to do this fall: pass Quantum Mechanics, apply for graduate school, get ready to buy my first house. I think, at least, I can take some much needed downtime first.

Can you tell I’m ranting because I’m really bad at goodbyes?

(insert sudden sign-off here),