Student Profiles
Below you can find a few profiles of some of the current and recently graduated students from our department. Most of the students listed below were or are involved in research work. The physics department provides many opportunities for students to get engaged in research during their undergraduate careers.
In addition to the students listed below, past graduates have gone on to have gone on to do a wide variety of things including, investment banking, teaching in the peace corps, working for the US Army, and attending Law School. Students have pursued graduate study in physics at universities such as Caltech, MIT, Stanford, and Cornell.
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Robert Koffie "I find the academic environment at Indiana University Bloomington very stimulating. Here, I have had the opportunity to learn from some really extraordinary professors." Robert is working with Prof. John Beggs to apply physics principles understand how networks of brain neurons interact through electrical signals. Such research could provide insight into how cognitive processes such as memory and reasoning work. Robert plans to graduate in 2007 with degrees in Chemistry and Physics. |
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| Pam Muriello
"I had a wonderful experience at IU. It is a big place, but the physics department is small enough that it was really easy to get to know the professors and other students. I know when I entered I expected to just kind of blend in and be a number. But I got to be really good friends with a number of the professors." Pam worked with the nuclear physics group on the STAR detector. She graduated in 2003 with degrees in Math and Physics and is now studying Biomelecular Imaging and Biophysics at the IU School of Medicine. |
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Chris Cude "I was surprised by the amount of time professors were willing to spend answering questions and teaching outside of the lectures. This trend has continued since I started working with a research group. I also didn't appreciate breadth and variability of work in physics when I began my studies. Doing physics can mean everything from studying (and then putting to use) mathematical abstractions all the way down to writing software and building equipment. This fact, along with the IU physics department's learn-by-doing approach allows students to gain a lot of experience in a variety of areas." Chris plans to graduate in 2008 with degrees in mathematics, physics, and classical studies. |
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| Andres Morera
Andres plans to graduate with degrees in Biochemistry and Spanish, but is taking advantage of the interdisciplinary opportunities available to do research with Prof. John Beggs in the area of Biophysics Andres says that "working in the lab during undergraduate is an invaluable experience for anyone aspiring to become a scientist or a medical doctor, and my experiences in Dr. Beggs' lab have given me an excellent idea as to what to expect in my future." |
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| Thomas Eckerle
"I think IU has afforded me a wide array of opportunities not matched anywhere else. The international aspect of my studies is beyond comparison to other universities, with several of our language departments being among the best in the nation... I think the physics faculty at IU is amazing, my teachers have been more than forthcoming in assisting students with physics as well as offering numerous chances to participate in research." Thomas is working with Prof. Rob de Ruyter to try to understand how flies detect their own motion using inputs from their eyes. Thomas plans to graduate in 2008 with degrees in Physics, Biology, German, and Math. |
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