Since my last update, I've learned the basics of BAT analysis. I can run data through a series of scripts and produce a detector plane image, a weighted mask, a sky image, spectra, and light curves. I think BAT data are even simpler to deal with than XRT data. I still haven't done much with powerlaw modeling, though; that's the next step.

I've also been preparing to attend my first gamma-ray burst conference (and first conference outside of the country). Dealing with the logistics of getting to Amsterdam in March is even more time-consuming than writing my poster abstract (which I haven't quite done yet...). I am a good way through the research I will present, though. I'm focusing on three GRBs with bright flares and searching for high-frequency pulsations within those flares. It's around the lines of what I've been doing for months, but it's a deeper study.

Almost as practice, I am also planning on presenting the preliminary results of this study at the Society of Physics Students Zone 6 Meeting in February, coincidentally held at my alma mater, Florida Tech. Since this meeting will consist of a friendly student audience, I should get good practice discussing my poster at an introductory physics level. I'm a bit worried about making the transition to professionals and experts, but I'll fret about that when the time comes.

I've also been working on four different NASA and Space Grant graduate fellowship applications. I'm in the midst of writing the research proposals and gathering the information they require (transcripts, letters of recommendation, biographical sketch, etc.). The trick is to write the research proposal detailed enough to convey to the panel that I know what I'm talking about and that I'm a serious candidate, but to keep it general enough so that non-high-energy-astrophysics readers won't find it dull. I don't know if I've gotten that balance down yet.

The lack of detected Swift GRBs lately is surprising me. On the one hand, it allows me time to focus on other things. On the other hand, what happened to the one-burst-every-three-days average?