Who inspires you?
I’m inspired by my colleagues and mentors. Seeing people who love the field they work in and love working with others inspires me to get excited about the incredible work that we’re doing.

Where are you fans of?
Caffeine, I mean coffee (sometimes tea). I do love music, playing piano and checking out the local scene in Chicago. Lake Michigan is fantastic, especially in the summer. Also, you can’t beat a relaxing game of baseball on a nice day, unless it’s a White Sox game—go Cubs!

Why did you choose to study Physics?
Because I love it! I just love asking questions about the fundamental workings of the universe and enjoy understanding the abstract structure that people have constructed to explain it. Frankly, it’s just plain fun.

Why did you choose UChicago?
The exceptionally wide array of experiments and studies led by members of this department demonstrated to me that this is a place where people lead groundbreaking, novel research. I want to be a part of that.

What are the best things about your PhD program?
There is a deep connection between the Department of Physics and the neighboring Department of Astronomy. The Kavli Institute for Cosmological Physics (KICP) supports the research of many members of both departments and is a testament to the great history Chicago has with the study of Astrophysics. I have greatly enjoyed getting to do research as a PhD student in it.

What was the best surprise about UChicago or life in Chicago?
Chicago is an incredible city with so much to do and so many opportunities and people to interact with beyond just the scope of the University of Chicago. I was blown away by what this city has to offer regarding its local institutions and ways of life. I fell in love with the city of Chicago almost immediately and was not expecting to feel so connected to this area. I could stay forever—though, locals say the winters here have not been as bad recently, so we’ll see.