Cooper Akers

Publications

“The off-plane grating rocket experiment pathfinder (OGRE-P): a pathfinder mission for x-ray technology” – https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3063083

“Reverse telescope test bed optical alignment for the pathfinder off-plane grating rocket experiment (OGRE-P)” –https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3063932

Experience

McEntaffer Group – University Park, PA (Dec. 2022 – Present)

Undergraduate Research Assistant

• The Off-plane Grating Rocket Experiment (OGRE, active project)
  • Developing the firmware to transform photos taken by the camera into a usable format
  • Created the software and firmware for the telemetry system, utilizing EVTM to transfer frames to the ground and display them to the astrophysics researchers
  • Program a simulation for proton interactions with a magnets, gratings, and detectors
• The Rockets for Extended-Source X-ray Spectroscopy (tREXS, past project)
  • Improved the telemetry system by processing the images faster
  • Used multithreading with C and Python together to display the processed/transformed images
• Received safety and general training in various areas
  • Radiation, radionuclide, laser, general lab, spill prevention, and ladder safety training
  • Metal machine shop usage and safety training

Geauga iPhone Repair – Auburn TWP, OH (Feb. 2022 – Oct. 2022)

Repair Technician, Logistics and Sales

• Managed the sending and receiving of electronic devices, logging movements in inventory systems
• Tested various devices as they were received, confirmed conditions, and added them to the inventory system
• Created a new inventory system, leveraging Google Sheets to improve efficiency, ease of use, and readability
• Posted devices for sale online on marketplaces such as Facebook and eBay