Michael Pokornik
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- Profile
Profile
The son of an Air Force veteran, I have lived in Germany, Colombia, Virginia, Texas, and now California. I am of Colombian, Irish, and Czechoslovakian descent. Being exposed to different cultures and places of living has allowed me to develop into a well-rounded and appreciative person. Likewise, my academic career has progressed in a similar manner. I received a master’s degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics at Purdue University and undergraduate degrees in Applied Physics and Mathematics at Texas Lutheran University. Eager to strike a balance between engineering and physics, I am pursing a PhD in Engineering Physics at the University of California, San Diego to study relativistic laser-plasma interactions. In the past I have conducted research in LIDAR target detection through machine learning and HF wave propagation in the ionosphere through numerical simulation. I currently work at General Atomics as an engineer, focusing on directed energy applications. With the SLOAN Scholar Award, I can pursue research areas I am most interested in and retain a greater control over the direction and development of my scientific career. In my free time I like to watch documentaries, visit museums, lift weights, play videogames, and hike.