Tell us something about where you grew up.

I grew up in Solon, Ohio about half an hour from CWRU. The proximity to home is part of why I came to Case and I actually was on campus for the first time in sixth grade for a Science Olympiad tournament.

What do you like about the EEPS Dept?

Like many of my peers, my favorite thing about the EEPS department is the small class sizes and the amazing faculty. It was amazing to join the community and be able to get to know everyone better. The field trips for many of the classes are also a major plus.

What’s something you don’t know about or how to do, but would like to learn?

I would like to learn how to dive. I spend a lot of time looking at fish and coral through glass so being able to see everything in its natural environment would be amazing. From what I have heard it is quite eye-opening to see how and where many of the corals in the aquarium hobby actually grow.

Tell us about your senior research thesis.

My project is a set of geochemical experiments related to ancient sediment deposits called Banded Iron Formations (BIFs). Small pieces of hematite, a mineral within BIFs, are placed in a hydraulic press, then compressed and heated to conditions found on Earth’s mantle. The reaction that the hematite undergoes can tell us about the structure of the lower mantle and core.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

As I have already hinted at, I spend my spare time growing coral. I have five aquariums that I use to aquaculture a variety of corals. It can be pretty time-consuming to maintain, but they are amazing to look at.

What are you enthused about for your future?

After I graduate with my BS this summer, I am staying at Case to finish my MS sometime in 2024. While I enjoy being a student, I do look forward to graduating and having more time for things  other than classes.