Physics Alumni Success Stories
Dr. Tracy Steinbach (2010)
Dr. Tracy Steinbach graduated from GVSU with a B.S. degree in physics in 2010. Later she earner her PhD in chemical physics from Indiana University, Bloomingdale in 2016. Her dissertation research focused on measuring the fusion cross-section of 16,18O + 12C using low intensity beams at energies near and below the Coulomb barrier. These experiments utilized direct measurement of the fusion residues – distinguished from incident beam particles on the basis of their energy and time-of-flight. A central aspect of my research was the design, construction, and characterization of a microchannel plate (MCP) detector. These MCP timing detectors overcame a major obstacle confronting the initial fusion studies conducted by the group. Improvements I implemented in the experimental setup allowed measurement of the fusion cross-section of 18O+12C down to ~ 2 mb, a full order of magnitude below previous direct measurements. Currently she is employed as physicist at Northrup Grumman Corporation.
She was chosen by the physics department of GVSU as their distinguished alumni in 2018.
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