Education

From taking apart anything I could find as a kid to studying matter at the atomic scale — my academic path has been driven by one constant: an insatiable curiosity about how the world works.

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Youngstown State University

Choosing mechanical engineering for graduate school was a deliberate decision — it offered the broadest range of opportunities for someone with wide-ranging interests. The first year involved catching up on core undergraduate engineering courses including stress analysis, heat transfer, machine design, and fluid dynamics, which marked a shift from physics toward applied, numerical problem-solving. Alongside coursework, hands-on work in the machine shop developed skills in CNC machining and operating lathes to produce precision parts from engineering drawings.

Thesis research
Material science and electron microscopy
Research focused on applying mechanical engineering principles to material science. Work was conducted in the university's microscopy lab using scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopes (TEM), including the JOEL-1000 TEM, exploring material structures down to the atomic scale. Training was also completed at the John M. Cowley Center for High-Resolution Electron Microscopy at ASU.
Projects
  • High-resolution electron microscopy and diffraction
    Operated the JOEL-1000 TEM to capture high-resolution images and diffraction patterns at the atomic scale. Attended winter school at ASU's Cowley Center to learn advanced techniques from leading scientists.
  • CNC machining and precision fabrication
    Worked in the university machine shop operating CNC machines and lathes to fabricate precision components from engineering drawings.
  • Lab equipment documentation
    Authored technical manuals for new microscopy lab equipment, combining the learning process with a lasting contribution to the university's research infrastructure.
Bachelor of Science in Physics & Mathematics
Wheeling Jesuit University

College was where curiosity became conviction. A first physics lecture reignited a passion for understanding the physical world, leading to four years of deep immersion in physics and mathematics. Small class sizes allowed for genuine exploration, from astronomical research to hands-on computing challenges. The dual degree kept the work intellectually demanding and constantly rewarding.

Senior capstone
Passive solar water heater with sun tracking
Designed and built a passive solar water heater capable of tracking the sun throughout the day using thermodynamics and heat transfer principles. A microcontroller and servo motors enabled the system to stay perpendicular to the sun for optimal energy capture — combining physics, mathematics, and engineering into a single sustainability-focused project.
Projects
  • Quasar research and astronomical imaging (VATT4K)
    Researched quasars during the first two years of undergraduate study, learning IRAF for astronomical image analysis and gaining early Linux exposure. Traveled to the VATT4K telescope on Mount Graham in Arizona to collect observational data, culminating in a paper presented at the school research fair.
  • Linux-compatible PASCO sensor driver
    Reverse-engineered the communication protocol between PASCO force sensors and Windows using port spying software, then wrote a C program to replicate it on Linux — extending the approach to other lab equipment and making multiple sensors compatible with Linux systems.