Exploring the Universe: Logan Spooner Says VSU Inspired Him to Dream, Innovate

Logan Spooner of Bainbridge, Georgia, will earn a Bachelor of Science in Astronomy and a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Valdosta State University’s College of Science and Mathematics on May 4. Afterwards he plans to continue his education at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he will pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in physics as a presidential fellow. He says VSU has prepared him well for the academic and professional challenges he will face in graduate school and beyond.

VALDOSTA — Logan Spooner of Bainbridge, Georgia, has been fascinated with the fundamental structure of the universe since he was in the eighth grade at Bainbridge Middle School.

“From the formation and evolution of blackholes and the way they interact to the odd quantum interactions between particles on the subatomic level, both the largest and smallest structures in our universe have been the most fascinating areas in physics to me,” he said.

Spooner will earn a Bachelor of Science in Astronomy and a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Valdosta State University’s College of Science and Mathematics on May 4. Afterwards he plans to continue his education at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he will pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in physics as a presidential fellow. 

“While I’m at Georgia Tech, I hope to do my PhD in either astrophysics, where I can take part in probing the elementary particles of our universe or, on a smaller level, condensed matter physics, where I can study the quantum interactions in substances on Earth,” he said. “After getting my PhD and post-doctoral experience, I hope to become a professor or move into an industry where I can continue to learn and do research.”

Spooner recently represented VSU’s Department of Applied Mathematics and Physics at the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Georgia Academy of Sciences, where he presented “Modified Microstrip Line Based Noninvasive Biosensors in Microwave Spectrum.” This research was conducted under the guidance of Dr. Shantanu Chakraborty, assistant professor of physics, and in collaboration with a fellow VSU student, Romeo Montague of Valdosta, Georgia.  

Spooner is vice president of VSU’s Society of Physics Students, an organization he joined three years ago, and an active member of the Mathematical Association of America and Sigma Pi Sigma: The Physics and Astronomy Honor Society. 

“The faculty at VSU have been incredibly supportive of my academic and research endeavors,” he said. “I believe the research and communication skills alongside the knowledge of physics I have acquired through my time with the faculty at VSU has prepared me to take on any academic or professional challenges I may face at Georgia Tech and beyond. I believe also my experience balancing a part-time job, research, being in the Society of Physics Students, and keeping up with my academics have prepared me for the rigorous time management demands I will face in graduate school.”