Education

Graduate Degrees:

• Ph D. Physics In Progress, Purdue University
• M. S. Physics 2022, University of Iowa
• Thesis: "Cosmological Calculation Conundrum: Computational Methods to Constrain the Cosmological Constant"
• Advisor: Dr. Craig Pyror

Undergraduate Degrees:

• Duel B. S. Physics & Computational Physics 2020 Illinois State University
•  Undergrad Research: "Test Particle Calculation of Plasma Equilibria"
• B. S. Mathematics 2020 Illinois State University

Research

Currently I continue investigating the topic of my master's degree. My master's thesis was on cosmology at the University of Iowa where I modeled the zero-point energy density of the vacuum. As an undergraduate at Illinois State, I computationally studied diamagnetism in the plasma sheet of the magnetotail. 

• Research Scientist, Illinois State University, Space Plasma Physics, July 2022-August 2022
• Research assistant to professor Dr. Craig Pryor, University of Iowa, Cosmology, May 2021-Present
• Research assistant to Physics Department Chair, Dr. Daniel Holland, Space-Plasma Physics, Illinois State University May 2018-August 2020
• Student Research Participation Program, Argonne National Labs, Systems Assessment Group, Energy Systems Division, May 2020-July 2020
• Research assistant to professor Dr. Roland Winkler, Northern Illinois University, Solid-State Physics, June 2019-August 2019

Teaching and Outreach

The best part of learning physics is sharing it with others.

Awarded Illinois State University Physics Outstanding Teaching Assistant April 2019

CRLA Level 1 Tutor Certified May 2018

• Cinematographer, Video Editor, and Creative Consultant, Purdue Saturday Morning Astrophysics, May 2023-Present
• STEM Instructor, GER2I Summer Camp, Purdue University, Summer 2023
• Teaching Assistant, Purdue University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, August 2022-Present
• Video Scripter, Director, and Editor, University of Iowa, Department of Physics and Astronomy, June 2022-August 2022
• Tutor, Gerdin Athletic Learning Center, University of Iowa Department of Athletics, August 2021-December 2021
• Playologist, Iowa Children's Museum, July 2021-July 2022
• Teaching Intern in Iowa Mentored Community College Teaching Practicum, Kirkwood Community College, January 2021-May 2021
• Video Production Assistant, University of Iowa, Department of Physics and Astronomy, UCapture Physics Demonstrations, August 2020-May 2021
• Teacher Assistant, University of Iowa, Department of Physics and Astronomy, August 2020-May 2022
• Gen-Ed Physics- Content Tutor, Julian N. Visor Academic Center, Illinois State University, August 2017-May 2020
• Undergraduate Teacher Assistant, Department of Physics, Illinois State University, January 2018-May 2020
• General Education Physics Video Developer, Department of Physics, Illinois State University, May 2020-June 2020
  
• Creator, head writer, presenter, and video editor YouTube show Heroic Physics, March 2018-Present
• Founder of YouTube Channel Heroic Science.
  

Awards and Fellowships

• Andrew Nelson 1st Year Graduate Student Summer Research Fellowship 2021
• Illinois State University Physics Outstanding Graduating Senior Award May 2020
• Illinois State University Physics Outstanding Service Award May 2020 
  
• 1st Place Skadron Computational Physics Competition, Illinois State University May 2020
• Michael F. Canney Scholarship for Hard Work, Motivation, and an Entrepreneurial Spirit in Physics April 2019
• Illinois State University Physics Outstanding Teaching Assistant April 2019
•  Illinois State University Physics Outstanding Service April 2018
  
• Robert D. Young Freshman Merit Physics Scholar Award August 2017

Other Employment

• Cook, Noodles and Company, Iowa City, July 2021-September 20201