Cynthia Cattell is a space plasma physicist known for her research on solar flares and radiation belts.
Cynthia A. Cattell | |
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Alma mater | University of California, Berkeley |
Scientific career | |
Thesis | Magnetic field-aligned currents in the earth's magnetosphere (1980) |
Doctoral advisor | Forrest S. Mozer |
Cattell has a B.A. from Hampshire College (1974) [1] and earned her Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley in 1980.[2]
As of 2021, Cattell is a professor in the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Minnesota.[1]
Cattell's research on electron holes in space helps explain the release of energy from magnetic explosions in space.[3][4] Cattell has also examined the energization of electrons in Earth's radiation belt[5] and used satellite data to examine the behavior of ions flowing around Earth.[6][7] Cattell uses her scientific knowledge to present the public with viewing opportunities to see the Northern Lights.[8]
In 2012, Cattell was diagnosed with cancer and was treated with an experimental drug developed by colleagues at University of Minnesota's Masonic Cancer Center.[15][16] After receiving an increased dosage of an experimental drug there was a reduction in Cattell's tumor and her lymphoma was considered in remission.[17]