Home Institution: Washington & Jefferson College
Research Project: Nuclear beta spectroscopy of the future
UW Mentor(s): Alejandro Garcia

Q: What are your physics/science interests?
Most recently, my interest has resided in particle physics. In addition to that, I took a course this past spring in Biological Physics that I greatly enjoyed.

Q: What are your other interests?
In my spare time, I like to run, read, watch movies, and listen to country music. You can often find me on my off time tutoring students who are in high school and the early stages of college in mathematics and physics. My regulars learn quickly that you shouldn't ask me how mathematics and physics are useful unless you have the time and patience to hear my answer!

Q: What would you like to do after college?
After college, I would like to attend graduate school in physics, and ultimately, I would like to teach.

Q: Tell us one strange but interesting fact about yourself.
I like to buy and use decorative duct tape for many a do-it-yourself project. Most recently, I used fluorescent green duct tape to string the cable in my dorm room around a doorjamb.

Q: What first sparked your interest in Physics?
In high school, I took an advanced physics course under the instruction of Mr. Shawn Welsh. Mr. Welsh has the uncanny ability to understand how his students think, and from that, he tended to use our own thought processes to guide us to correct answers. He recognized that I enjoyed the material and took the opportunity to cultivate my interest further with more interesting and challenging problems. I owe much to him for believing in me and that my interest could one day flourish into passion.

Q: If you could have any pet what would it be?
I wouldn't trade my dog Gia for anything in the world! She's been with me for 12 years now, and she's simply the best around!

Q: If you had a free month and unlimited funds, how would you spend your time?
Reading is my favorite way to relax. I'd take a trip to a bookstore and get enough material to last me the month. My family resides mainly in West Virginia, so I'd head to a cabin in the country there to read and to spend time outdoors.

Q: If you could get a grant to study anything what would it be?
Many of the medical applications of physics intrigue me. In the future, I hope to explore the use of heavy ion therapy to treat cancer.