Home Institution: University of Colorado, Boulder
Research Project: Search for Dark Matter
UW Mentor(s): Leslie Rosenberg, Gray Rybka

Q: What are your physics/science interests?
I fell in love with astronomy in my second year of undergrad; I switched into astrophysics and have been loving it ever since. I received an arduino for Christmas this past year and have since taken an interest in electrical engineering, as well. I find that I enjoy how tangible it is compared to astrophysics, and I think it would be very neat to go into robotics some day.

Q: What are your other interests?
Living in Boulder, Colorado, I have the mandatory interest in hiking and bike rides; I am very excited to explore some of the trails outside of Seattle! I also own a violin, but struggle to find the time to learn it properly.

Q: What would you like to do after college?
I would definitely like to go to graduate school. I am still deciding between a graduate degree in physics or in electrical engineering, so I plan to take a year off to figure that out.

Q: Tell us one strange but interesting fact about yourself.
When I was small, I used to collect erasers. You can find them in all sorts of fun shapes!

Q: What first sparked your interest in Physics?
I started college as a tentative journalism major, and for my science credit I took an introductory astronomy course. I thought it was the most interesting thing I had ever encountered; I loved every second of it. I switched into astrophysics the next semester and have never looked back.

Q: If you could have any pet what would it be?
It would definitely be a dragon. I can't think of a situation that is not improved by dragons.

Q: If you had a free month and unlimited funds, how would you spend your time?
I have never left the country, so I think I would use it to travel and see the world (or other worlds, if the funds are truly unlimited. But I suppose the travel time would exceed my month.)

Q: If you could get a grant to study anything what would it be?
Robotics; I'd have to study it a bit more to have anything more specific.