Why did you choose URI?
I chose the physics program of its size, as well as how in-depth it is. I transferred to URI after my freshman year, and at my previous school the entire physics department had 8 people, and the faculty was combined with the math department. As such, there were fewer courses available for me to explore the field and less resources available for me as a student. At URI, there are plenty of opportunities to find my footing as a budding physicist, including focused undergraduate research projects and groups, extracurricular classes and activities, and individual advising with the chair and with the director of undergraduate studies.

What has been one of your favorite memories from URI?
One of my favorite memories has got to be when I became a brother of Kappa Kappa Psi, the national band service fraternity chapter here on campus. I’ve been in love with music for as long as I can remember, and being able to combine my love for music with my love of serving the community is something that I am incredibly proud of. I’d say that any of my memories involving music are some of my happiest ones at URI. I’ve played in the marching band, pep band, symphony orchestra, clarinet choir, percussion ensemble, concert band, and wind ensemble. All of these have been incredibly fun and fulfilling. I’ve made so many friends and plenty of good memories.

What is the best thing you have learned while being at URI?
The best thing that I’ve learned is to ask others for help. Before coming here, I liked to stick to myself and never ask questions. I faced many challenges due to this, and it was a difficult hurdle to overcome. Now that I have, I am a better student and overall better at getting through life knowing how to ask for help when I need it. I’m thankful for the faculty in the physics department, especially our chair, Dr. Leonard Kahn, and my undergraduate research advisor, Dr. Robert Coyne, for creating a safe and welcoming space for me to figure this out.

What made you choose your major?
I didn’t originally choose physics. Initially, I chose to study computer science after success with it throughout my senior year of high school. However, during freshman year of college I didn’t excel as well as I’d hoped and wound up changing my major to physics after reading a book gifted to me by my high school physics teacher. The book was titled “A Brief History of Nearly Everything” by Bill Bryson, and the first section was on the formation of the universe, and helped simplify some of the big ideas surrounding cosmology and astrophysical theory. It seems as though physics chose me.

What are your post graduation plans?
After graduation this spring, I plan on attending graduate school. Thanks to the faculty in the department, I was able to cultivate a strong application in my three years in the program. So far I have only been accepted to the master’s program at Brown University, but am waiting on four Ph.D. programs to get back to me before I make any decisions.