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I am currently a second year Ph.D. student studying electronic materials using computer modeling. Up through high school, I attended schools in Johnsburg, Illinois, very close to the Wisconsin border. It is a small town with both suburban and rural qualities. Towards the end of my education there, I was spending a lot of time studying science and mathematics. Despite a serious lack of advanced placement classes available, a several helpful teachers and administrators helped me put an independent study program for myself together and I was even able to place highly in regional and statewide science competitions. To stay balanced, I also played a trombone for our school's marching band, wind ensemble, and jazz band as well as running for a season in our cross-country team. Image Added
 For college, I attended Northwestern University just north of Chicago on Lake Michigan. I had a great time there, participating in the marching band as well as a science and engineering community on campus. I chose to pursue a degree in chemical engineering because I found that it was the best way to apply the areas of science I enjoy the most to something that would be useful for society. I also had the opportunity to work at a start-up company doing research and development on materials for the aerospace and electronics industries.

The above experiences led me to pursue a Ph.D. so that I can gain a greater depth of understanding in my field. My hope is that doing computational work will give me a better fundamental knowledge of the principles behind electronic material development than if I focused on experiment alone. Outside of my research, I am active as the current student president of our department's graduate student organization. In the small periods of free time I have, I like to run, read some none-science books, and have an occasional "game-night" with friends.  

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