Prize Recipient

Cacey Stevens

Background:

My name is Cacey Stevens. I am 20 years old and a junior at Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA. I have lived in Louisiana all of my life with my mother and younger brother.

I graduated summa cum laude from high school and I was a National Achievement Finalist. I gained interest in physics through a high school physics course and the Timbuktu Academy science bowl which I participated in during high school. I enjoy physics because it involves complex math problems which can be applied to real world situations. Although my physics and math courses can be difficult, my mother, mentors, and faith in God have encouraged me to continue studying physics to reach my goals of becoming a scientist. I have had opportunities to learn more about careers in physics through summer research programs. During summer 2005, I worked at Argonne National Laboratory on ATLAS through the FaST program. I was a participant of the MURF program at California Institute of Technology in summer 2006 working on LIGOs Thermal Noise Interferometer. After earning a PhD in physics, I hope to mentor and encourage other women and minorities to pursue careers in physics and mathematics.

Along with school activities, I am a lifeguard at a local YMCA, and I tutor at my universitys Center for Student Success. I am also financial secretary of the Alpha Tau chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc and participate in volunteer activities through the chapter. I enjoy running. I participated on my high schools track and cross country teams for four years, and I have continued to compete in 5k runs throughout college. I also enjoy studying French. I have taken several French courses and have spent a summer in Liege, Belgium. I would love to travel to Europe again, particularly Paris, and eventually become fluent in French.