Home Institution: California State University, Dominguez Hills
Research Project: Search for Dark Matter
UW Mentor(s): Leslie Rosenberg

Q: What are your physics/science interests?
My biggest passion in physics is using mathematics to understand the Universe. The language of math has allowed humanity to peer into the deepest secrets of the universe. One of the biggest examples of this extraordinary power is when Dirac found the wave equation for a relativistic particle. There were four solutions to a free particle, two that were positive and two that were negative. He physically interpreted the negative solution as an indication of antimatter, and sure enough it was true. It's moments like those that motivate me to pursue physics.

Q: What are your other interests?
Before I started devoting most of my time to physics, I had dreams of becoming a professional soccer player. I made it to semi-pro at the Chivas USA academy. Circumstances ended up changing my life goals to physics, although I still play once and a while. Rubik's Cubes have been one of my funniest hobbies ever since I was able to solve the 3X3 original Rubik's Cube. I now collect them and try to challenge myself to solve all puzzles that are out there.

Q: What would you like to do after college?
I am planning to attend graduate school where I will strive to achieve a PhD in physics. I will specifically target theoretical physics.

Q: Tell us one strange but interesting fact about yourself.
I avoid shoes with laces whenever I can.

Q: What first sparked your interest in Physics?
My father when to a community college and occasionally would bring different books home for me to read. One day he brought home a geography book with one chapter on the creation and components of the universe. I always found it fascinating how vast space is and one of my ultimate questions is why is it that way.

Q: If you could have any pet what would it be?
I love dogs and i would definitely want a chihuahua.

Q: If you had a free month and unlimited funds, how would you spend your time?
I would definitely explore all parts of the world to see how other people live their lives and learn from different scientific minds.

Q: If you could get a grant to study anything what would it be?
I would study string theory. The idea seems elegant and simple, but this does not justify it to be right. I want to understand detail by detail how the theory came to be and be able to contribute to the field, whether its proving it or disproving it.