Hometown: Orland Park, IL
High School: Brother Rice High School
What made you decide to attend USC: I was attracted to the enormous amount of school spirit that USC students possess. That sense of spirit makes me feel like I am part of something important here as a Trojan.
Best experience/interaction with a professor: Dr. Gene Bickers, from whom I have learned two semesters of physics, is one of the most dedicated teachers that I have ever had the privilege of meeting. Dr. Bickers is a fantastic teacher who has the ability to clearly convey difficult concepts to his students. Furthermore, Dr. Bickers displays genuine concern for his students and is almost always available to help outside of the classroom.
Favorite Class: Honors Physics with Dr. Gene Bickers
Involvements/extracurricular activities: Merit Research, intramural basketball and flag football, Global Fellows Internship Program
Favorite on-campus event: USC Football Games
Best off-campus experience: Skydiving in Perris Valley, CA
Favorite memory from freshman year: During my freshman year, I made a lot of great friends on my floor in Pardee Tower. We developed into a tight-knit group, called ourselves the “Fifth Floor Crew,” and even won an intramural flag football championship together.
What you like about being in LA: As a Midwesterner, I love the great weather that LA has year round.
Research/study abroad experience: I have worked in an astronautics lab on campus that contains a large vacuum chamber used for simulation of the space environment. I am currently investigating electrohydrodynamic (EHD) thrusters and their possible applications to propulsion technology.
This past summer, I interned in Shanghai, China, for two months as part of the USC Global Fellows Program (http://careers.usc.edu/students/internships/usc-global-fellows-internship-program/).
Hobbies/interests: I am currently learning Mandarin Chinese in the hopes of one day returning to China. I have also possessed a great interest in America’s manned spaceflight program since I was in high school. In addition, I enjoy watching movies, reading, drinking coffee, traveling, listening to music, and playing sports. I love watching my favorite teams: USC, Chicago Bulls and Bears.
