PITTSBURGH - This summer, Chatham Men's Volleyball rising senior Alex Moncello has enjoyed exciting opportunities regarding research on the western side of the country.

On May 4-7, Moncello visited Richland, Washington to aid in Chatham's student outreach and networking at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). 

"I was graciously invited by Professor Jamiyanaa Dashdorji, where we were accompanied by another Chatham student and professor," shared Moncello. "Over the two days of tours, we were able to take a close look at what it meant to be a 'National Laboratory'. We got to explore some of the most high-end facilities that worked on everything between battery optimization to theoretical research on dark matter."

Moncello had the chance to discuss topics of research, graduate school, and post-graduate life with professional researchers through activities and 1-on-1 sessions set up by the PNNL.

Moncello, a mathematics major, is currently in Boulder, Colorado for a 10-week stint at the National Solar Observatory (NSO) and the Global Oscillation Network Group (GONG), where he is doing research on solar cycles.

"These two groups house cutting-edge technology for anything solar astrophysics related, from monitoring space weather to recording the way the sun's surface changes over the duration of its cycle. I am using data from these telescopes to monitor the Sun's changing magnetic field at high latitudes to see if we can make accurate predictions on upcoming solar cycles."

Once complete, the research may be able to help guide preventative measures that would shield technology from coronal mass ejections, which affect satellites and power systems.