BC grad receives scholarship at Oklahoma university
Boulder City native Patrick Vallely, an honor student at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, is one of three students at the university who has been named a 2016 Goldwater Scholar. The scholarships are awarded on the basis of potential and intent to pursue research careers in mathematics, the natural sciences or engineering.
Vallely, a National Merit Scholar, is a junior majoring in astrophysics with a 4.0 grade-point average. Since 2014, he has worked on several projects with Dr. Edward Baron, a George Lynn Cross research professor of physics and astronomy, most recently examining a small group of unusual supernovae. His earlier work with Baron resulted in co-authorship on one paper and first authorship on another that has been submitted to the Royal Astronomical Society.
Last year, he received a Research Experience for Undergraduates grant and worked with Dr. Ian Sellers, an assistant professor of physics and astronomy at the university, on the group’s spectrometry system. In addition, he developed a solar cell computer model which resulted in co-authorship on a paper that has been published in Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells.
Vallely received a second Research Experience for Undergraduates grant for this summer and will conduct research in astrophysics. After obtaining a Ph.D. in astrophysics, he plans to focus his research on Type Ia supernovae and teach at the university level.
Vallely is a 2013 graduate of Boulder City High School, and the son of Bob Vallely and Bridget Edwards.