Riley Blocker
Degrees from UM:
MS Physics 2022; PhD Physics 2023
During my pursuit of my degree, I dedicated time to lectures and problem sets. The instruction was exceptional. However, I am grateful that these experiences were complemented by time outside the classroom and laboratory, made possible by the unique offerings of the physics department and The University of Miami. For instance, I enrolled in a semester-long scientific diving course offered by UM’s Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, which culminated in a week-long diving excursion in Bonaire. Subsequently, I applied the techniques I learned to scientific research dives in support of the Marine Optical Buoy (MOBY) off the coast of the island of Lanai in Hawaii. Furthermore, my research entailed the design and fabrication of an environmentally rugged optical camera system to measure the distribution of polarized light in the ocean. In this pursuit, guidance was always generously provided by the department’s machinist and electrical engineer. These experiences thoroughly prepared me for my postdoctoral position where I work on-site at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and now study the light in the ocean from a unique vantage point - space.
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