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Tracy Edwards
Lansing
Hero Story
Tracy Edwards is a graduate student in year 3 of the 5-year Nuclear Physics PhD program. Currently, there are less than 150 African American women to ever be awarded a PhD in physics. In fact, the last time Michigan State, the #1 PhD program for physics enrolled an African American woman into the PhD program was 1997. The year that Tracy was born. Tracy has thrived academically and is leveraged for physics recruitment. Currently, she has a research position with FRIB (Facility for Rare Isotope Beams), the national research laboratory on campus. Tracy’s primary research is focused on creating zinc isotopes that can be used in future medical devices. Example, diabetes patients require insulin shots because their liver can no longer produce the zinc isotopes that are needed to convert sugar into insulin. She supports an additional project in the area of the government interest in defense.
Tracy first fell in love with physics, the study of how energy interacts, after her brother was born. The diagnostic test used to identify autism was the work of physicists. The early detection allowed her brother to get therapy which has improved his autism to high functioning. She watched therapists use motion techniques to expedite his development. An example of his therapy was brushing or rubbing his back. This calmed his stemming, otherwise known as autistic outbursts. This was kinetic energy being put into a targeted motion to get the desired outcome. For some reason, the various sensory techniques applied could get his gross motor skills up to par but he still suffered in cognitive development. Her brother didn’t speak and would get frustrated because of communication struggles.
Tracy and her mom went to the library and performed extensive research on their own. Her vocabulary quickly expanded from trying to read complex material. While many of her peers were out enjoying organized sports, Tracy was enjoying charting or documenting her brother’s progression. Ironically, working with her brother led to her grasping advance math concepts. In math, a person solves for a missing variable. With autism, she was constantly solving for a solution that works.
Outside of the classroom, Tracy is even more amazing. She is a testimony that Michigan State’s diversity initiatives are working and producing positive results without taking away value from other students. On campus, Tracy is continuously asked to serve on various committees to improve the MSU student experience. Tracy’s biggest flaw is that she rarely says no to opportunities to assist other students at the graduate and undergraduate levels.
Tracy has increased the intellectual property at Michigan State by being an active member of MSU Physics Graduate Organization. She is responsible for the selection of guest speakers and serves as the host for events. She is the webmaster for the MSU Women and Minority in Physical Science. She ensures that the social media updates occur, and the organization is engaged with users. Plus, she is a graduate student interviewer for the Physics department.
Tracy is a strong believer in diversity and inclusion. She is engaged in many of MSU’s diversity initiatives such as serving as mentor for MSU Insight. MSU Insight is a program that supports 1st generation college students improve their research skills, writing and poster presentations in competitions. Furthermore, the program assists with networking skills and the graduate school application process. Tracy serves as the graduate assistant for MSU’s Inspiring the Next Generation. It’s a summer intensive program that exposes high school students to advance physics research and the endless career options that are extended to physics majors.
Tracy is extremely active outside the university. She has been leveraged by the US senators from MI to educate them on USA’s non-proliferation stance and supporting policies. She serves on the national committee for NSBP (National Society of Blacks in Physics). Her role ensures conference workshops are engaging and extended to the local communities. There are sessions that teach local students how to compete at science fair competitions and they are exposed to technology of the future.
In summary, Tracy understands that one person can make a difference in the world. Her goal is to extend the love, respect and support that she has received from endless resources at MSU to other students that are coming behind her. Lastly, Tracy comprehends that MSU students are expected to create history instead of just learning about history.
Tracy Edwards
Lansing
Hero Story
Tracy Edwards is a graduate student in year 3 of the 5-year Nuclear Physics PhD program. Currently, there are less than 150 African American women to ever be awarded a PhD in physics. In fact, the last time Michigan State, the #1 PhD program for physics enrolled an African American woman into the PhD program was 1997. The year that Tracy was born. Tracy has thrived academically and is leveraged for physics recruitment. Currently, she has a research position with FRIB (Facility for Rare Isotope Beams), the national research laboratory on campus. Tracy’s primary research is focused on creating zinc isotopes that can be used in future medical devices. Example, diabetes patients require insulin shots because their liver can no longer produce the zinc isotopes that are needed to convert sugar into insulin. She supports an additional project in the area of the government interest in defense.
Tracy first fell in love with physics, the study of how energy interacts, after her brother was born. The diagnostic test used to identify autism was the work of physicists. The early detection allowed her brother to get therapy which has improved his autism to high functioning. She watched therapists use motion techniques to expedite his development. An example of his therapy was brushing or rubbing his back. This calmed his stemming, otherwise known as autistic outbursts. This was kinetic energy being put into a targeted motion to get the desired outcome. For some reason, the various sensory techniques applied could get his gross motor skills up to par but he still suffered in cognitive development. Her brother didn’t speak and would get frustrated because of communication struggles.
Tracy and her mom went to the library and performed extensive research on their own. Her vocabulary quickly expanded from trying to read complex material. While many of her peers were out enjoying organized sports, Tracy was enjoying charting or documenting her brother’s progression. Ironically, working with her brother led to her grasping advance math concepts. In math, a person solves for a missing variable. With autism, she was constantly solving for a solution that works.
Outside of the classroom, Tracy is even more amazing. She is a testimony that Michigan State’s diversity initiatives are working and producing positive results without taking away value from other students. On campus, Tracy is continuously asked to serve on various committees to improve the MSU student experience. Tracy’s biggest flaw is that she rarely says no to opportunities to assist other students at the graduate and undergraduate levels.
Tracy has increased the intellectual property at Michigan State by being an active member of MSU Physics Graduate Organization. She is responsible for the selection of guest speakers and serves as the host for events. She is the webmaster for the MSU Women and Minority in Physical Science. She ensures that the social media updates occur, and the organization is engaged with users. Plus, she is a graduate student interviewer for the Physics department.
Tracy is a strong believer in diversity and inclusion. She is engaged in many of MSU’s diversity initiatives such as serving as mentor for MSU Insight. MSU Insight is a program that supports 1st generation college students improve their research skills, writing and poster presentations in competitions. Furthermore, the program assists with networking skills and the graduate school application process. Tracy serves as the graduate assistant for MSU’s Inspiring the Next Generation. It’s a summer intensive program that exposes high school students to advance physics research and the endless career options that are extended to physics majors.
Tracy is extremely active outside the university. She has been leveraged by the US senators from MI to educate them on USA’s non-proliferation stance and supporting policies. She serves on the national committee for NSBP (National Society of Blacks in Physics). Her role ensures conference workshops are engaging and extended to the local communities. There are sessions that teach local students how to compete at science fair competitions and they are exposed to technology of the future.
In summary, Tracy understands that one person can make a difference in the world. Her goal is to extend the love, respect and support that she has received from endless resources at MSU to other students that are coming behind her. Lastly, Tracy comprehends that MSU students are expected to create history instead of just learning about history.