Caitlin Gish
A Bit About Me
As a graduate research assistant at Yale University and a National Science Foundation Fellow, I conducted cutting-edge physics research and contributed to the advancement of scientific knowledge and innovation. I published multiple papers in peer-reviewed journals and presented my findings at national and international conferences.
Now I turn my attention to science education and outreach, especially for underrepresented groups in STEM. I have six years of experience as a tutor, mentor, and advocate for students and researchers with diverse backgrounds and abilities. I have organized and participated in various events and initiatives to promote access, equity, and inclusion in science. I have received a certificate in diversity, equity, and inclusion from the Yale Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology department for my outreach work. My goal is to use my skills and expertise to address the challenges and opportunities facing the scientific community and society.
Education
Dec 2023 M.S., M.Phil., Yale University (Physics)
Research Advisor: Damon Clark
Research Interests: Neuroscience, Visual Perception, Physics of Living Systems
May 2020 B.S., University of South Florida (Physics)
Minors: Global Studies in Education; Mathematics
Researcher Advisor: Robert Hoy
Thesis: Designing a Curriculum for a Middle School Physics Classroom with a Focus on Promoting Female and Minority Interest and Participation in STEM
Awards and Honors
2023 Yale MCDB Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certificate of Recognition
2022 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow
2022 Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship Honorable Mention
2020 Graduated summa cum laude from the Judy Genshaft Honors College of USF
2020 Inducted to Sigma Pi Sigma, University of South Florida
2016 USF Presidential Scholarship
Educational Positions
May 2023 – Jul 2023, Mar 2022– Jul 2022
Summer Undergraduate Researchers Workshop Development
Computational Skills Series
Yale IGPPEB Summer REU Site; New Haven, CT
Jan 2023 – May 2023
Graduate Teaching Fellow
Being Human in STEM
Yale Physics Department; New Haven, CT
Aug 2022, 2023
Teaching Assistant
Computational Methods in Neuroscience Bootcamp
Yale Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program; New Haven, CT
Aug 2020 – May 2022
Graduate Teaching Fellow
University Physics for the Life Sciences
Yale Physics Department; New Haven, CT
Aug 2018 – May 2019
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant
Modern Physics; Introduction to Electrodynamics
USF Physics Department; Tampa, FL
Jan 2018 – Dec 2018
Laboratory Course Development Assistant
General Physics Laboratory
USF Physics Department; Tampa, FL
Aug 2017 – May 2018
Physics Tutor
General Physics
USF Academic Success Center; Tampa, FL
Outreach Involvement
Yale Pathways to Science Summer Scholar Classroom Volunteer; Aided in the set up and carrying out of hands-on activities in the weeklong class on the topic Living Forces.
(July 10 – July 14, 2023)
New Haven Science Fair Classroom Mentor; Designed and taught lesson plans on the scientific method for a third-grade class with the end product being a completed science fair project.
(Jan-April ,2023)
Open Labs Volunteer; Hosting tables at local events to present children with hands on science activities in topics including physics, chemistry, and engineering.
( 2022-2023)
Engineering Expo Volunteer; Performed educational physics based stage show at University of South Florida outreach program to K-12 students
(Feb 15 –16, 2019)
Busch Gardens Physics Day Volunteer; Led physics based educational activities for middle school and high school students event hosted at Busch Gardens amusement park
(Dec 8, 2017; Dec7, 2018; Dec 6, 2019)
Great American Teach In Presenter; Presented physics demonstrations in a Pinellas County program to bring community members into classrooms to teach about careers.
(November 16, 2018)
Research Experience
Mar 2022 – Present
Graduate Research; Systems Neuroscience
Yale University, Prof. Damon Clark
Jun 2020 – Mar 2022
Graduate Research; Physics of Living Systems
Yale University, Prof. Corey O’Hern
Jan 2019 – May 2020
Undergraduate Research; Soft Matter Physics
Univ. of South Florida, Prof. Robert Hoy
June 2019 – July 2019
Theoretical Chemistry Summer Research Program
Duke University, Prof. Patrick Charbonneau
Aug 2018 – Dec 2018
Undergraduate Research; Materials Science
Univ. of South Florida, Prof. Humberto Rodriguez-Gutierrez
May 2018 – Aug 2018
NSF Research Experience for Undergraduate; Protein Dynamics
Purdue University, Prof. Ken Ritchie
​Leadership Positions
Open Labs at Yale
Financial Officer (2023)
Yale Graduate Women in Physics+
Co-Chair (2022-2023)
Yale Graduate Women in Physics+
Social Media Chair (2021-2022)
Physics Organization for Women and the Underrepresented (Univ. South Florida)
President (2018-2020)
Secretary (2017-2018)
Professional and Committee Activities
Representative, Graduate Student Advisory Committee, Yale University Physics Department (2021-2022)
Presenter, Comparing Visual Processing in Different Animals at Girls Advancing in STEM Conference 2023 with Yale University and Wright Laboratory (November 15th, 2022)
Presenter, Physics of Circles, Spheres, and their Surprisingly Many Applications at Girls Advancing in STEM Conference 2022 with Yale University and Wright Laboratory (April 8th, 2022)
Organizer, APS Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics (2020 Florida Region), held at University of South Florida (2019-2020)
Panelist, REUs and Internship Opportunities at Conference for Undergraduate Women in Physics Florida (January 19th, 2020)
Undergraduate Representative, College of Arts and Sciences Library Committee, University of South Florida (2018-2019)
Publications
Direct comparison of fly and mouse early visual systems reveals algorithmic similarities for motion detection. J. Chen, C. M. Gish, et al. iScience 26(10):107928 (2023)
Thermodynamic stability of hard sphere crystals in dimensions 3 through 10 (Cover Article). P. Charbonneau, C. M. Gish, R. S. Hoy, P. K. Morse: European Physical Journal E 44:101(2021)
Does the Sastry transition control cavitation in simple liquids? C. M. Gish, K. Nan and R. S. Hoy: Journal of Chemical Physics 153, 184504 (2020)
Conference Presentations
Gish, C., Chen., J., et al (March 9, 2023) Directly comparing fly and mouse visual systems reveals algorithmic similarities for motion detection. Poster Presented at COSYNE 2023
Gish, C., Nan, K., & Hoy. R. (March 2020) How does the character of the Sastry transition depend on the range of interatomic interactions? Presented virtually at American Physical Society March Meeting