Why did you choose Cornell? Dean Collins was very influential in me coming to Cornell. When I visited Cornell for the first time, I was very impressed with the experimental facilities and excited about the possibility of conducting cutting edge research here.
Why are you pursuing a Ph.D. degree? Ultimately, I would like to obtain a position in academia.
What is your research project? I am developing a methodology to streamline the USGS process of river gaging, in which volumetric flow rate is measured at ~7,000 locations in our nations rivers and streams. The current USGS methodology involves periodic point-to-point measurements of river velocity spanning the width and depth of the river. The technique we propose involves imaging the river's surface through the use of remote sensing technology and applying turbulence theory to determine volumetric discharge.
Who is your adviser? How has he/she influenced your graduate educational experience? My advisor is Edwin (Todd) Cowen. He is technically very accomplished and is a great experimentalist. He continually inspires me to learn more about my field. Todd has also been a great mentor to me and has consistently provided me with opportunities to prepare for my future career in academia.
What other activities are you involved in? I'm involved in several outreach programs (i.e. Expanding Your Horizons, CU EMpower) and I'm involved in my church's worship team.
What has been your greatest moment or accomplishment so far at Cornell? Passing my qualifying exam, I studied for months! Passing my A exam wasn't bad either.
What do you like about living in Ithaca? I love Ithaca in the summer time. I love swimming in the lakes and gorges and playing softball!
What are your plans after graduation? After graduation I plan to obtain a post-doctoral position and then faculty position.
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