Date: Fri 31-May-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Cwickla-Julie-schools-research

Full Text:

with cut: Local Grad Student Chosen Air Force Research Project

B Y S TEVE B IGHAM

When Julie Cwikla set out to study an aspect of science, she chose a subject

of some gravity.

When Air Force jet fighter pilots soar through the sky faster than the speed

of sound, the gravitational force put on their bodies is crushing. The Newtown

resident heads to Brooks Air Force Base in San Antonio Saturday to begin

research on the effects of G-forces on the body's cardiovascular system. She

was among a long list of civiliams hand-picked for the assignment by the US

Air Force.

By doing bio-mathematical modeling, Julie, 22, will work to develop models for

studying the interaction of transient electromagnetic radiation with bodies

containing biological tissue. The research will require computer graphics to

determine differential equations.

There has been very little testing of any kind on the effects of G-force on

the body, and it is hoped that the research findings will improve the interior

of airplanes.

"This is all math and medicine. That is exactly what I want to do," Julie said

Tuesday.

Julie, the daughter of Joseph and Joanne Cwikla of 19 John Beach Road,

recently completed her first year of graduate work at New York University in

Manhattan at the prestigious Courant Institute, which specializes in

mathematics science. She graduated from Fairfield University in 1995 with a

degree in math and chemistry.

At the conclusion of the 8-12-week program, Julie, a 1991 Newtown High School

graduate, will be required to write a 20-page report summarizing her research,

inventions, and discoveries. She hopes to use her research toward her thesis

paper.

Brooks Air Force Base is knowndayr having one of the top medical centers in

the country, treating burn victims and those with other serious injuries.

Julie wr Phd "delfndhng wa yhsta aliens from outer space are brought following

UFO crashes.

"If I told you I'd have to kill you," she joked.

The research program is a competitive one with only 100 students accepted each

year from across the country. Julie's travel expenses will be fully paid as

will other costs once she arrives in Texas. She'll live off-base for security

purposes, but while she's working, she will be on the base 40 hours a week and

be paid a stipend.

"I don't think I've ever worked 40 hours per week during the summer," noted

Julie, whose two sisters, Sarah and Emily, are students at the high school.

After arriving Saturday, Julie will begin work Monday, leaving her little time

to explore the many historical sites in San Antonio sites, including the

Alamo.

The Newtown resident, who said she would someday like conduct research for a

pharmaceutical company or something similar as long as it is related to

science, may go on to earn her PhD "depending on my stamina and if I have

enough energy."

If Julie's record stands up, there should be no shortage of energy and

stamina. She was a standout student and captain of the Fairfield University

softball team.

After living a fast paced life in the New York City's Greenwich Village, Julie

said she'll surely miss being able to relax this summer in Newtown, but once

her work is done, gravity will surely draw her back.