Erika Alden DeBenedictis

Projects and Employment 2004-2014

Employment

Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Intern summer 2013, orbit planning software

D.E. Shaw Research
Intern summer 2012, alchemical free energy perturbation (FEP) calculations

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
Intern spring 2012, "Decoupled Payload and Propulsion: A Human Mission to Phobos and Deimos"

Sandia National Laboratories
Summer Technical Intern 2011, focus on quantum computer compilation

Elowitz Lab, Caltech
Winter and Fall 2011, focus on FISH experiments with stem cells

Publications

An Autonomous Navigation System For Spacecraft using Low-Thrust Trajectories
AIAA Journal of Propulsion and Power. Abstract.

The First Three Rungs of the Cosmological Distance Ladder
Coauthor, American Journal of Physics. Arxiv version.

Projects

Traveling the Interplanetary Superhighway: An Autonomous Spacecraft Navigation System
Science Fair and Science Talent Search 2009-2010.
Report  
Abstract
Radio Interview
Awarded: First Place Science Talent Search, First Place Grand Award in Physics at ISEF 

A Novel Approach to Asteroid Identification Using Image Processing of Existing Data
Science Fair 2008-2009, Supercomputing Challenge 2008-2009. Team with Tony Huang and Chris Hong.
Report
Abstract
Awarded: First Place Supercomputing Challenge, First and Top of Category Grand Award in Team at ISEF

Optimizing the Direct Simulation Monte Carlo Algorithm for Multi-Core Processors
Supercomputing Challenge 2007-2008, Siemens Competition 2008. Team with Tony Huang.
Proposal
Interim
Report
Presentation
Awarded: First Place Supercomputing Challenge, Third Place Team at National Siemens Competition

An Optimization Algorithm for Space Mission Design: Dynamically Simulating Energy-Efficient Trajectories
Science Fair 2007-2008.
Report
Abstract
Awarded: Third Place Grand Award in Computer Science at ISEF, Davidson Fellow 2009

Optimization of Trajectories
Supercomputing Challenge 2006-2007. Team with Kristin Cordwell and Brian Lott.
Proposal
Interim
Report and Results
Awarded: First Place Supercomputing Challenge

Ping Me! Optimizing Code for Cluster Computing
Science Fair 2006-2007.
Report
Results
Project Log
Awarded: Second Place Grand Award in Computer Science at ISEF

3Scan- A Home 3D Scanning System
Science Fair 2005-2006.
DCYSC Entry
Awarded: Best Physical Science Junior Division Regionals, ISEF Observer

Simulated Snowflakes
Science Fair 2004-2005.
Report
Results
DCYSC Entry
Awarded: Best Physical Science Junior Division Regionals

Last Update: 8/14/14