Home Institution: CalPoly, San Luis Obispo
Research Project: Research-based Instructional Strategies for Teaching Physics
UW Mentor(s): Peter Shaffer, Suzanne Brahmia

Q: What are your physics/science interests?
I am interested in learning as much of our model of physics as possible, because I find it incredibly fascinating. However, as I have learned more I have also become interested in the process of science and what it means to conduct scientific inquiry, as well as more philosophical questions about what our scientific models actually say about the world. I think this goes along with what it means to learn science, which is why I am interested in Physics Education. This is a field that asks questions like: What does it mean to learn something? How can we elicit and measure learning in students? What, ideally, should students learn?

Q: What are your other interests?
I like to play guitar and try to sing a little bit. I also like to read books, especially sci-fi, and watch video essays on YouTube. I have been getting into rock climbing, and I play some Ultimate Frisbee.

Q: What would you like to do after college?
I am planning to go to graduate school for a PhD in Physics. I don't know yet what I would like to do after that, I like the idea because I think I will have a lot of options.

Q: Tell us one strange but interesting fact about yourself.
I have never broken a bone.

Q: What first sparked your interest in Physics?
My high school physics teacher was really good, and I liked the experiments we did in class. I seemed to do well in the class as well, so I chose it as a major in college.

Q: If you could have any pet what would it be?
A big cat, like a panther. As long as it didn't attack me and they weren't endangered.

Q: If you had a free month and unlimited funds, how would you spend your time?
I might do a very long backpacking trip; I have always wanted to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. Doing the whole thing would take more than a month, but I could do a substantial piece of it.

Q: If you could get a grant to study anything what would it be?
I would study Physics Professor rhetoric about the nature of science, what underlying beliefs/assumptions that entails, and how it affects students' learning.