“I like asking difficult questions and working to find a solution,” says Randolph-Macon College student Jacob Owens ’19. Thanks to the Schapiro Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program, Owens is doing just that.

This summer, the physics and mathematics major is researching Statistical Dynamics of the Finite-Velocity OFC Earthquake Model, which is a continuation of a SURF project he did in 2018. Owens is working under the mentorship of Physics Professor Rachele Dominguez.

Investigating the Fundamental Physics of Earthquakes
“Last year, I created a variation of the Olami-Feder-Christensen (OFC) earthquake model that changed how stress was added into the system,” explains Owens. “This change made the model better suited for parallel processing algorithms and more realistically simulates the way stress builds in actual earthquake faults. This summer, I’m investigating temporal clustering of earthquakes—i.e., foreshocks and aftershocks.”

Data-driven Research
Each day, in a computer lab in Copley Science Center, Owens collects data from earthquake simulations he set up the previous day. After collating the data, he analyzes it by using code he wrote in the Python programming language.

“For example, I wanted to see how the ratio of foreshock time to aftershock time changed with the stress dissipation parameter, which is a control of how much energy is released during an earthquake,” he says. “I wrote a program that took the data for a run with a single value of the dissipation parameter, calculated the ratios of interest, and plotted those ratios as a function of the dissipation parameter.”

Owens also keeps a log of his research, which includes his thoughts relating to particular tasks or data sets. “Some days I’ll spend the day reading relevant literature to get an idea of how others working in this field have approached problems or to see what results they’ve achieved,” he says. “I typically finish the day by setting up new simulations that I’d like to look at the next day.”

Big-picture Perspective
Dominguez says that Owens has a natural curiosity for complex systems.

“I see my job as helping him with the big-picture perspective,” she says. “We discuss how best to interpret the data, how new results fit into existing theory, and the best path for moving forward when we get stuck.” Owens and Dominquez meet daily to discuss any problems, questions, or concerns that Owens may have.

“Professor Dominquez is really great to work with—she’s very knowledgeable and experienced,” says Owens. “I benefit by being able to see how an experienced physicist approaches problems and analyzes results.”

Future Plans
Owens, the recipient of the Dean’s Award, Wade J. Temple Scholarship, and Bowles Award, hopes to attend graduate school, where he plans to pursue a Ph.D. in physics. Dominguez notes that, thanks in part to SURF, Owens has become a skilled and independent researcher.

“I don’t need to tell him what to do,” she says. “He’s self-motivated and will teach himself whatever new skills he needs to complete the task at hand. This dexterity makes him well-prepared for graduate studies.”

The SURF Program
The SURF program was established in 1995 through a generous endowment made by Ben Schapiro ’64 and his wife, Peggy Schapiro. The Schapiros continue to support this program, which promotes scholarly undergraduate research by students in all disciplines. Ben Schapiro has served on a number of RMC committees, including the Board of Trustees and the Society of Alumni.

In order to participate in the program, students write proposals and apply for grant money to fund their research. SURF students receive a stipend and room and board, and results of their research are presented at the annual SURF Symposium and on Research Day. Many SURF participants have presented their research throughout the United States and internationally, and some have published their work. The SURF program is co-directed by Art History Professor Evie Terrono and Chemistry Professor Serge Schreiner.