One of the big questions in science today is how did all the elements in the universe form? This large general question leads to several others. What formed during the big bang? What sort of nucleosynthesis occurs in stars during the different stages of their lives? These are some of questions nuclear astrophysicists strive to answer. In order to model the various types of nucleosynthesis that occur in stars, the properties of the nuclei involved need to be studied in the laboratory so that a more accurate model to be formed. During this talk I will use my research to provide a few examples of nuclear physics aids in the understanding of the origin of elements.
