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Howdy!
My name is Zachary Bottorff, and I am an Aggie graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Physics with a computational science concentration, and a loud and proud member of the class of 2023! WHOOP!

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Zachary Bottorff

Undergraduate Physics Student at Texas A&M University

Resume

INTERESTS
EXPERIENCE

Computational Physics

I find the use of computers to analyze large data sets fascinating. Problems that used to take days to solve are now readily done in seconds, and new problems that were once impossible are being solved. Experiments that are too costly to be done may be simulated. Because of my interest in this field, I included a computational science track in my physics degree.

Personal Development

Each day is an opportunity for growth. I take my own personal development seriously, and I strive to help others grow. This is why I was a counselor for Impact Retreat 2020 and for YMCA Camp Classen over the summer of 2021. This is also why I chose to be a Sophomore Advisor in the Honors Housing Community at Texas A&M. For as long as I remember, people in my life have invested in me and my growth. Now, I invest in others.

Board Games

One of my favorite ways to spend time with friends and even acquaintances is to play board games. There is a game for just about everyone, and it is easy to connect with others over a board game. I have used regular game nights to grow closer to different friend groups in the past, and I will continue to do so as I make new friends and keep up with old ones.

EDUCATION
EDUCATION

University

Texas A&M University​

College Station, TX

August 2019 - Present

Bachelor of Science in Physics

Computational Science Track

Mathematics Minor

Relevant Courses

  • PHYS 289: Quantum Mechanics for Freshmen

  • PHYS 206: Honors Newtonian Mechanics

  • PHYS 207: Honors Electricity and Magnetism

  • PHYS 221: Optics and Thermal Physics

  • PHYS 225: Electronic Circuits

  • PHYS 309: Honors Modern Physics

  • PHYS 331: Theoretical Methods for Physicists I

  • PHYS 302/303: Honors Advanced Mechanics I & II

  • PHYS 304: Advanced Electricity and Magnetism I

  • PHYS 412: Quantum Mechanics I

  • PHYS 414: Honors Quantum Mechanics II

  • PHYS 408: Thermo & Stat Mechanics

  • PHYS 401: Computational Physics

  • MATH 304: Linear Algebra

  • MATH 308: Differential Equations

  • MATH 411: Math Probability

  • CSCE 121: Introduction to Program Design and Concepts

  • CSCE 221: Data Structures & Algorithms

  • CSCE 222: Discrete Structures for Computing

  • CSCE 312: Computer Organization

Honors

  • Texas A&M University Honors Fellow

  • Undergraduate Research Scholar

  • Departmental Honors

  • Academic Excellence Award (Departmental)

  • Fall 2019, Spring 2021, Spring 2022 Dean's Honor Rolls

  • President's Endowed Scholar

  • National Merit Finalist

Research

  • Isoscalar Giant Monopole Resonances

    • Spring 2022

    • Advisor: Dr. Philip Adsley, Cyclotron Institute, Texas A&M University

    • Responsibilities: Use CERN's ROOT software to analyze data from other experiments

  • Raman Spectroscopy

    • Summer 2022​

    • Advisor: Dr. Alexei Sokolov, Institute for Quantum Science & Engineering, Texas A&M University

    • Responsibilities: Proofread dissertations, prepare and conduct lab activities for Casper College Quantum Science Camp

  • Computational Ghost Imaging

    • Fall 2022 - Spring 2023​

    • Advisor: Dr. Alexei Sokolov, Institute for Quantum Science & Engineering, Texas A&M University

    • Responsibilities: Work toward enabling a Transformer neural network to work on grayscale images in ghost imaging, write honors thesis, present research to public

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SKILLS AND ABILITIES
SKILLS
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Python/Pytorch

C++

LaTeX

Technical Presentations

Peer Mentoring

CERN's ROOT Software

LEADERSHIP
ACCOMPLISHMETS

  • Casper College Quantum Science Camp​

  • Pioneers Friday Church

    • In the fall of 2021 through the spring of 2023, I volunteered with Pioneers Friday Church, which was similar to a weekly youth group particularly designed for underprivileged kids. I was a counselor, tasked with supervising children, teaching them about the Bible, and serving them food for dinner. This was yet another opportunity to invest in those younger than myself and in their personal growth.​

  • YMCA Camp Classen

    • In the summer of 2021, I was employed as a cabin counselor at Camp Classen.​ I helped children expand their horizons by gaining new experiences, and I taught them lessons about personal development. I also grew, learning how to communicate and connect with youth, and shouldering the significant responsibility of caring for kids for a week at a time.

  • TAMU Honors Housing Community

    • As a freshman, I was a part of the Honors Housing Community, which pushed me to reflect on why I do what I choose to do. As a sophomore, I became a peer mentor in this community to help others in the same way. I was also a constant resource to 14 freshmen, answering questions about University Honors Program requirements, class registration, dorm life, and college life in general.​

  • Aggie Cru Prayer Leader

    • In the spring of 2020, I was appointed to the position of Prayer Leader in Cru. In this role, I worked with two others to host weekly prayer meetings, helping maintain the spiritual health of my fellow students and appealing to God on their behalf.​

  • Impact Retreat

    • In 2019, I attended Impact Retreat as a freshman. This experience set the tone​ of spiritual development in college as people invested in me. I wanted to do the same for the Class of 2024, so I became a counselor with Impact. Even though Impact Retreat 2020 was held virtually, I connected with seven incoming freshmen in my role as counselor, and I helped them transition into college in that unusual tim​e.​​​​​

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Casper Quantum Science Camp

In July 2022, I worked with members of the Institute of Quantum Science and Engineering at Texas A&M to put on a 2-week camp where high school seniors and college freshmen and sophomores could learn about quantum physics. I helped run each lab, build radios, and supervise free time activities.​

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