Hava Turkakin, Ph.D.
Biography
Prof. Hava Turkakin has always been fascinated by the secret works of the universe and thus pursued a degree in Physics. She has a bachelor’s degree from the Black Sea Technical University in Turkey. After teaching several years at various high schools, her instant desire to learn more of physics has carried her to continue her education further. Hava earned her M.S. and Ph.D. in Space Physics from the University of Alberta. She has taught as a Visiting Assistant Professor at both Bucknell University and the University of Central Arkansas, before coming to Utica University. Her research interests are solar-terrestrial interactions, space weather, space plasmas, and plasma waves and instabilities in space. More specifically, Hava conducts research on Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) waves and Instabilities along the boundaries formed during Solar-Terrestrial coupling. The basis of the solar-terrestrial coupling is the coupling of the large eruptions of plasma - called the solar wind – from the solar atmosphere to the earth’s magnetosphere – a magnetic bubble formed around the earth. Solar wind effects on the Earth’s magnetosphere, ionosphere and thermosphere can influence the performance and reliability of space-borne and ground-based technological systems and form the basis of space weather phenomenon.
Hava loves reading, taking a nature walk, and spending time with her children. In her most spare times, she loves watching Ellen show.
Opportunities for Student Research and Collaboration
Prof. Turkakin received a three-year award from National Science Foundation - Magnetospheric Physics. She is currently conducting research on “Instabilities and Wave Emissions in the Earth's Magnetosphere" with this support. Specifically, Prof. Turkakin investigates Bursty Bulk Flows (BBFs), which are fast flowing regions that form in the central magnetotail and may have profound impacts on the surrounding regions if they become unstable. Prof. Turkakin is working on a specific instability called Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability and possible emission of waves that may provide an effective mean of energy transportation out of these fast flowing regions. This in turn may have impacts on geomagnetic substorm dynamics.
Education
2015 Ph.D., Space Physics
- Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Thesis: Stability of Magnetohydrodynamic Shear Flow Boundaries: Kelvin-Helmholtz Instabilities and Emission of Magnetosonic Waves
2008 Master of Science, Space Physics
- Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Thesis: Mode Trapping in the Plasmapause
1996 Bachelor of Science, Physics
- Department of Physics, Black Sea Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey
Research
Selected Publications:
Butler, S., Chen, W. and Turkakin, H., “Magnetohydrodynamic Modeling Investigations of Kelvin – Helmholtz Instability and Associated Magnetosonic Wave Emission Along Coronal Mass Ejections”,Astrophysical Journal, accepted, 2022
Tukakin, H., Rankin, R. and Mann, I.R., 2016, “Emission of Magnetosound From MHD Unstable Shear Flow Boundaries”, Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol. 121, doi:10.1002/2016JA022816
This paper shows the possibility of wave emission in various plasma shear flow boundaries as an effect of Kelvin-Helmholtz instability, an instability that develops along shear flow boundaries. This work only investigates into the linear regime of this instability, which we have extended in a work submitted in 2022.
Tukakin, H., Mann, I.R., and Rankin, R., 2014, "Kelvin-Helmholtz Unstable Magnetotail Flow Channels: Deceleration and Radiation of MHD Waves”, Geophysical Research Letters, Vol. 41, doi:10.1002/2014GL060450
This paper shows for the first time in the area of space research that often observed waves from an inner region of the Earth’s magnetosphere, the bubble formed by the interaction of the solar particles with the Earth’s magnetic field lines, may be due to the Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability. This paper has been chosen as a spotlight paper among the papers with innovative ideas by American Geophysical Union in 2014.
Tukakin, H., Rankin, R. and Mann, I.R., 2013, “Primary and Secondary Compressible Kelvin – Helmholtz Surface Wave Instabilities on the Earth's Magnetopause”, Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol. 118, 4161-4175, doi:10.1002/jgra.50394
This paper presents a detailed analysis of the occurrence of the Kelvin-Helmhotlz instabilities and conditions that makes them possible along the boundary of the Earth’s magnetosphere. We identified two types of Kelvin – Helmholtz instabilities as primary and secondary instabilities that occur at different shear flow speeds in this work. We investigated the types of waves that are emitted by this instability as well.
Turkakin, H., Marchand, R. and Kale Z.C., 2008, “Mode Trapping in the Plasmasphere” Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol.113, A11210, doi:10.1029/2008JA013045
This paper shows the effects of wave trapping in the boundary of the Plasmasphere, which is another inner region of the Earth’s magnetosphere.
Courses Taught
Courses Taught at Utica College
PHY363 – Modern Physics – An upper level course required for all Physics majors
PHY363-L – Modern Physics Laboratory – Laboratory for Modern Physics course
PHY151 – General Physics – Core course that is required for multiple program, including
occupational therapy and physical therapy.
Courses Taught Prior to Utica College
Department of Physics and Astronomy, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA
Electromagnetic Theory (upper level)
Advanced Classical Mechanics (upper level)
Wave Mechanics and Quantum Physics (upper level)
Classical and Modern Physics–I (introductory)
Classical and Modern Physics – II (introductory)
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR
College Physics (Lecture and Lab) – Core course required for various majors.
Department of Physics and Astronomy, Brookhaven College, Dallas, TX
Stars and Galaxies – Introductory astronomy course for non-STEM majors
Department of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Tarrant Count College, Dallas, TX
Stars and Galaxies – Introductory astronomy course for non-STEM majors
Solar System Physics – Introductory space physics for non-STEM majors
College Physics I (Lecture and Lab)– core course required for various majors.
Awards and Recognition
Utica University Summer Fellowship Award, Summer 2022
Bucknell Undergraduate Research Advisory Council (URAC) Grant, Spring 2021
Bucknell Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Grant, Summer 2019
Myer Horowitz Graduate Scholarship, 2013
Canadian Federation of Women in Science – Elsie Mitchell Newland Bursary, 2013
Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship, 2009-2011
Canadian Federation of Women in Science in Scholarship, 2007
Alberta Academic Achievement Scholarship, 2006
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