ABQ Times

Andrew Gentry, a Ph.D. candidate at The University of New Mexico, has been awarded the Department of Energy’s Science Research Program award. He is among 62 graduate students from 25 states and Puerto Rico selected for the Office of Science Graduate Research (SCGSR) program's 2024 cycle.

Gentry expressed his excitement about the award and the opportunities it brings. "It’s exciting you know, the DOE has really great opportunities and it’s an opportunity to go work with some of the best scientists in the world," he said. "I’ll be using some of the best facilities in the world."

The SCGSR program offers training and access to advanced facilities at Department of Energy National Laboratories, preparing recipients for critical roles in their fields. Gentry will study at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory starting January 2025, working on developing novel detectors and electronics.

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, operated by Stanford University in California, is known for large-scale projects and advanced scientific experiments using X-rays, lasers, and electronic beams. Gentry highlighted that "the DOE provides these fellowships to a couple people every year to go work at the different DOE labs around the country… It’s for all students in STEM, from biology to engineering."

Having studied physics extensively at UNM using particle accelerators, Gentry is eager to advance his research on replicating conditions similar to those during The Big Bang. "We accelerate protons to .99999 times the speed of light... Then we mash them together and we see what happens," he explained.

Gentry's journey into physics began during his undergraduate studies at Truman State University in Missouri. Now embarking on this prestigious research program, he advises young STEM majors: "When you’re an undergrad I think you should really try and explore and figure out your interests... Go to talks that are offered... try to read research papers... See what sparks your interest."

As he prepares for his departure from UNM to SLAC, Gentry continues reviewing research papers and studying physics.