Why did you choose Cornell?
Cornell seemed the most aligned with my interests. At the end of my undergraduate career I wanted to transition to applied mechanics rather than going into structural design. Cornell gave me the most options for growth in areas that were connected to structural mechanics but tackled more fundamental problems.
Why are you pursuing a Ph.D. degree?
I started my Ph.D. because I wanted to be a professor. Now, I am focused more on preparing for a career in fundamental and applied research.
What is your research project?
I have worked on a range of projects including modeling the fragmentation of brittle materials, calculating reaction rates of dislocation nucleation and multiscale modeling of crack growth in aluminum alloys. My current work is using a multiscale (in time and space) method to measure fatigue (cyclic) crack growth from the atomic scale to the macroscopic scale. The hope is to measure how cracks grow in aircraft aluminum as they age over time.
Who is your adviser? How has he/she influenced your graduate educational experience?
I work with Dr. Derek Warner. He has been extremely influential in my development and my happiness at Cornell. He is very excited and supportive, and had done a great job helping me towards my own professional and educational goals. He has given me many opportunities for leadership, professional development, and personal growth. I am truly grateful for his support!
What other activities are you involved in?
I spend much of my free time doing Taekwondo. I started with my wife in our second year here, and we have since gotten our black belts. It is a really rewarding sport and a great way to get in shape. We also explore Ithaca’s many restaurants, parks, and the wonderful farmer’s market.
What has been your greatest moment or accomplishment so far at Cornell?
That is a hard question. Having my first publication accepted, traveling across the world (to Venice among other places) to give conference talks, and teaching at Cornell have all been great moments.
What do you like about living in Ithaca?
Ithaca is progressive, outdoorsy, and a bit weird. We live downtown, so we go to the festivals and restaurants on the commons and use the public transportation often. I like the size of Ithaca. It is small enough to feel comfortable, but there is enough local stuff to do. Also, summers in Ithaca are beautiful.
How do you make it work financially?
With two grad student stipends, my wife and I live quite comfortably. We even have enough money to pay back a large portion of our student loans.
What are your plans after graduation?
I am applying for postdoctoral research positions. After that, who knows? I would happily work at a national lab.
Q and A with Bo Rider, "I knew that in CEE I would receive a robust, comprehensive education which would prefer for any type of civil engineering career I wanted to pursue after graduation." Read more about Bo Rider: CEE gives more ways to build a career
Aiden Clarage Major: Civil Engineering Why did you choose Cornell? Cornell's project team program offered a network of hands-on learning and community unparalleled at any other school. Ithaca and... Read more about Spotlight on our Graduates - Aiden Clarage
Akanksha Srivastava Major: Environmental Engineering Why did you choose Cornell? There are a lot of cool project teams, sustainability organizations, and research opportunities at Cornell. However, a... Read more about Celebrating our Seniors: Akanksha Srivastava
