James Leon Wilde

14726 SR 111
Defiance, OH, 43512
Phone: (419) 789-2547
Email: Leon (at) wildealien.com
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Statement

The desire to be a scientist has been in my blood for as long as I can remember. Ever since deciding to follow my dream, registering as a Physics Major as an undergraduate at The University of Cincinnati, my excitement has not wavered, but instead has grown into what I feel is a life-long pursuit to the study of science as a means to solving problems.

I believe that, with my love of science, penchant for learning, and personal drive to solving problems, I will meet my personal goals of becoming a part of a team of active and driven researchers.

Education
8/2004 - Present Bowling Green State University, Graduate College
  • Graduate expecting Masters degree in Physics in December 2007.
  • Thesis research:
    • Project involves use and close examination of currently used study techniques to design a new program of study. The current program studies RR Lyrae variable stars in the general sky field, whereas the program I am designing will study long period variable stars (LPV's) in galactic globular clusters (GGC's) utilizing BGSU's observatory, along with other possible collaborations with other universities.
  • Achieved 3.12 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Though academic focus has been in astrophysics, I retain many interests in other fields of physics.
9/1999 - 6/2004 The University of Cincinnati, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Undergraduate Major in Physics, Concentration in Astrophysics
  • Completed (or audited) every physics course offered, time allowing.
  • Published:
    • International Astronomical Union, Circular No. 8342, May 2004
    • Sitko, Russell, Lynch, Kim, Carpenter, Wilde, Brafford 2004. 3-13 Micron Spectroscopy of Comet C/2001 Q4 (NEAT). American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #36, #33.06
  • Elected by fellow students and faculty to serve as President of Society of Physics Students and to be a member of the UC Department of Physics Department Chairman Search and Recommendation Committee in 2003-2004.
  • Involved in volunteer activities in the community when time permitted.

Experience
8/2004 - Present BGSU Physics Department, Part-time Astronomer
  • Data entry and analysis
  • Observing with BGSU's 0.5m telescope with affixed CCD optics.
  • Data analysis using IRAF, MS Excel, and Fortran, among others.
3/2006 - 8/2006 The UPS Store, Associate
  • Sharpened customer service skills dealing with customers daily.
6/2004 - 7/2004 UC Physics Department, Web Designer
  • Utilized web development tools for the creation of a link database for physics classroom courseware.
6/2003 - 8/2003 UC Physics Department, Lab Technician
  • Performed operational tests on astronomical quality cameras and other related equipment.
  • Analyzed results of images and discovered anomalies; proposed working solutions.
  • Handled all day to day operations of the lab in an efficient manner.
9/2002 - 5/2004 UC Recreational Sports Center, Customer Service
  • Gained self motivational skills and handled multiple situations simultaneously.
  • Solved disputes and disagreements between customers and the facility.
  • Forged and sharpened my customer service skills.
  • Acquired relevant and basic first aid skills.

Computer Skills
9/1999 - Present Programs and systems used professionally or personally
  • Data analysis and mathematical modeling tools:
    • Microsoft Excel, Mathematica, Maple, Matlab, C++, Fortran, IRAF, plus a myriad of other programs specific to many different data collection instruments and included tasks.
  • Operating Systems:
    • Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP, NT
    • Basic UNIX, Linux Red Hat, Debian
    • Mac OS X
  • Communications:
    • Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, among other word processors.

Interests
  • Science Education:
    • Having the level of science appreciation that I do, I have found that I do two things very well; absorbing myself in topics, and talking about such topics with others. I have given many seminars on topics for courses, but have also had the opportunity to give such presentations outside of my academic curriculum. One such event was for a meeting of the Toledo Astronomical Association, where I presented to a group of 25 or so enthusiasts my thesis (in progress) and took questions afterwards. Changing a look of confusion into one of understanding gives me quite a sense of accomplishment. In any position I find myself taking over the course of my life, I hope to continue to contribute to such outreaching events.
  • Electronics:
    • Despite having studied physics for nearly 6 years now, I have had very minimal hands on experience with electronics. This disparity in time spent in electromagnetic theory versus electronics lab work is something I have brought up with faculty members here at BGSU. Recently, I have enjoyed as a hobby modifying electronic circuits to change their nature, sometimes to a specific goal, sometimes just to see how the change effects the output.
  • Music:
    • Since the age of nine I have been playing music, both in school and on my own. Along with the pure joy I find in making coherent noise, there is discipline in learning that I also enjoy.
  • Health:
    • Healthy body, healthy mind. As a student at The University of Cincinnati, my decision to walk everywhere allowed me a fairly liberal diet. Since starting at BGSU where I've done more driving, I have discovered that I couldn't continue to treat my body as such anymore. Exercise and diet are now a daily part of my life, as is my adherence to living a smoke, drug, and alcohol free life.