“My undergraduate research work was valuable because I got a lot of hands-on experience with actual engineering equipment in the field, which has honed my skills in analyzing the inherent discrepancy between theory and real results. My senior design project has been very valuable in the exercise of bringing an idea that doesn’t currently exist into reality with nothing but the wits of my team.”
Hometown: New Richmond, Wisconsin.
Clubs and activities: Cyclone Men’s DI Hockey team, Language Partners Exchange Program, and the Cardinal Swing Society.
Valuable hands-on learning experience: It’s a tie between my research work with Ulrike Passe, professor of architecture, in the Centers for Building and Energy Research (CBER), my research work with Vikram Dalal, Distinguished Professor of electrical and computer engineering, in the Microelectronic Research Center (MRC) and my senior design project. My undergraduate research work was valuable because I got a lot of hands-on experience with actual engineering equipment in the field, which has honed my skills in analyzing the inherent discrepancy between theory and real results. My senior design project has been very valuable in the exercise of bringing an idea that doesn’t currently exist into reality with nothing but the wits of my team.
Most influential mentors: I would not be able to decide between Mani Mina, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering and of industrial design, and Vikram Dalal. While all the instructors I have had the good fortune of taking classes with at Iowa State have been great, Dr. Mina and Dr. Dalal show so much care for their students and show so much enthusiasm in inspiring students to be the best that they can be to make a difference in the world.
Best memory: During my first year, during the CSCHL conference hockey tournament, we played the longest college hockey game of all time against Lindenwood University, totaling 157:18 minutes of hockey. The unique mix of sheer physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion may not be my “best” memory per se, but it is without a doubt the most unforgettable. Alongside this, I’m proud of leading efforts to achieve reinstatement of the hockey team, which has a history of more than 50 years of success.
Plans for after graduation: I am interning this summer in Starbase, Texas, for SpaceX’s Starship program and then returning to Iowa State to finish my master’s degree in EE with Dr. Dalal at Iowa State’s Microelctronic Research Center.
Making my mark on the world: I want to do well enough fighting climate change so that my children, and my children’s children, can grow up, play and be inspired by the same wild natural places that I have been able to enjoy thus far in my life.