Recent graduate Evan Randles, 25, returns to classes this fall after completing seven years of undergraduate studies and acquiring three degrees.
“Ideally, in exactly one year from now I will be entering as a first year student into a doctorates program,” Randles said.
Hardly satisfied en route to the ultimate goal of achieving his doctorate in mathematical physics, Randles prepares himself by actively studying and performing research daily through an awarded program called the ‘CSU – Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation- Bridge to Doctorate’ (CSU-LSAMP BD) Fellowship.
The CSU-LSAMP BD Fellowship is a preparatory program aimed to enhance student research and promotes higher success placement in doctoral programs. Fellows of this opportunity are awarded a two year $30,000 annual student stipend for their research in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM).
“Upon graduating I decided to ask the department for funding to aide with my research over summer,” Randles said. “To my surprise, it was the department chairman who suggested the opportunity. He was very hopeful that I would receive this fellowship award.”
On his application, Randles met more than just the bare requirements. Alongside, he was also a member of Sigma Pi Sigma, the Physics Honor Society, and boasted awards from the College of Math and Science for the Heald Outstanding Graduating Senior Award 2009-2010 and the John W. Nagle, Outstanding Senior Award from the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
Prior to receiving notification of his award and financial funding near the end of July, Randles had already progressively taken to his studies and research. Since May, he has been actively working on a project and working along side his research coordinator and thesis advisor, Professor David Klein.
“David is really the primary reason why I’m even in the mathematics department now,” Randles said.
The duo has already made astounding discoveries in the field of applied mathematical physics in regards to the expansion of the universe, and recessional velocities in general relativity, a topic Randles is most concerned with. The pair collectively attributes a tremendous number of hours per week, Randles himself contributing a minimum of 30 hours. Given the thorough amount of time and focus dedicated to this project, Randles admitted that he hopes to have some of their documentation or research published in the near future.
Following the recent outcome of his awards and future prospects, he remains focused on the task at hand, devoting all of his time towards research and classes. The two year fellowship program is intended as a stepping stone by studying for one’s master degree, while sufficiently preparing students for placement in a doctoral program.
Randles has high hopes of completing this program in half the time so that by next fall he can add a Master of Science degree in the field of mathematics to his already accumulated series of degrees.
The long awaited day of graduation this last spring brought with it the two bachelor’s degrees Randles has been working towards while at CSUN. He recieved a degree in physics and mathematics.
Randles received his first degree, an Associate of Science in Welding Technology from College of the Canyons in 2005.
Planning ahead even post doctorate degree, Randles says he will continue his research and understanding of mathematical physics, general relativity and cosmology in pursuit of learning more about his fascination of mathematics, his interest in nature, and the interplay between the two.
