Kainen Utt | 5th Year, Astrophysics (Prof. Ogliore)
I grew up just across the state in Kansas City, Missouri. On my way to St. Louis, I stopped off at the University of Arkansas to study physics and mathematics. Currently, I work with Professor Ryan Ogliore studying extraterrestrial material in the laboratory. Outside of the lab, my hobbies include cooking, listening to podcasts, hiking, watching sports, and hanging out with my two cats. I'm always happy to help out, so don't be shy to shoot me an email if you have any questions or just want to chat!
Furqan Dar | 5th Year, Protein Biophysics (Prof. Pappu)
Hello! I'm from Rawalpindi, Pakistan, a city that's hotter and almost as humid as St Louis, but I've spent my life all over the northern parts of Pakistan. I hopped across the pond to attend Kenyon College -- a small liberal arts college surrounded by Ohio corn fields, so moving to St. Louis has been rather fun. Since Kenyon was a tiny school, these days, I find myself getting into the diverse swing dancing scene of St. Louis (which you should totally, totally get into), and sampling the many, many different food options around St. Louis -- occasionally, I'll sing karaoke as well. If you want to go on curry adventures, or just chat about life or academics, do not hesitate to shoot me an email as I'd more than happy to chat!
Lindsey Lisalda | 4th Year, Astrophysics (Prof. Krawczynski )
I’m a non-traditional student and a St. Louis native who now lives about 30 minutes west of campus. A lot of my free time is spent stargazing, playing too many video games, and watching the Blues at the best (worst?) dive bars around. If I had to poorly define myself, I would say that I love doing research, I’m a member of the Physics DEI Committee, and I name my pet rats after scientists! My research with Prof. Krawczynski involves both theoretical and experimental projects like QED birefringence in black hole and neutron star accretion disks, testing and design of the XL-Calibur truss, and simulations for the IXPE and XL-Calibur collaborations. Stop by my office in Compton 269 and you’ll find a great place to get advice, vent, or just shoot the breeze!
Andrew West | 4th Year, Astrophysics (Prof. Krawczynski)
I am a prototypical Saint Louisan, I've lived here almost all of my life and know the city inside and out. I began my collegiate career at CU Boulder where I studied astrophysics and physics. For reasons that are not all that interesting, I decided to take a break from school to do some manual labor (zero stars, do NOT recommend) and explore the country before finishing up my bachelors here at Wash U in Mathematics. In my spare time I like to write incredibly depressing music, drink beers on patios, hang out with my dog, and go on adventures in the great outdoors. I also like feeding people, so expect to see me at our weekly BBQs and Nerdsgiving in the fall! If you have any questions about the trials that await you in your first year, the best spots to eat and drink in the city, or you just want to chat about life, the universe, and whatever, don't hesitate to holler at me!
Wolfgang Zober | 4th Year, Cosmic Ray Astrophysics (Prof. Rauch)
Hello there, I'm from California, Pennsylvania, a small college town, an hour south of Pittsburgh. I did my undergrad at Wheeling Jesuit University, a tiny college in northern West Virginia. While I was there I majored in physics and math and minored in theology. Currently, I'm a member of the cosmic ray astrophysics group working under the guidance of Prof. Rauch. As a member of the group, I'm involved with data analysis for CALET, and part of the SuperTIGER, HNX, and APT collaborations. I'm also the current department rep for the graduate student senate, so I tend to be involved with many things outside the department. In my spare time, I like to listen to and play music, do photography, and play intramural sports. I'm glad you're joining us. I hope you enjoy your time here and if you need anything feel free to reach out.
Ali Arra | 3rd Year, Biophysics (Prof. Mukherji)
Hello! I’m from Naperville, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. I went to University of Illinois Urbana Champaign for my undergraduate degree. Here at WashU I’m working in the Mukherji lab. I’ve been slowly exploring all the restaurants and dive bars of St Louis. (Slow because I’m also a dedicated member of the book of the month club). So if you want to get a Budlight, talk about the latest murder mystery, or have any questions at all, feel free to reach out.
Matheus Schossler | 4th Year, Condensed Matter (Prof. Seidel)
I grew up in a small countryside city in Brazil, near the region of the Amazon rainforest (not the company). At the age of sixteen, I went to the state of Sao Paulo for my undergrad and masters. Moving to a large city like St. Louis brought me new experiences, and soon I learned this is a very enjoyable place. Forest Park, known as the Heart of St. Louis, is one of my favorite locations and I like to explore it with my bike or jogging. Perhaps this brings me the perception of living in another small city. I currently work with Professor Seidel with theoretical condensed matter, more specifically with fractional quantum Hall effect. When in the department, I'm usually in Compton 375. Knock on my door or send me an email about anything and I'll be happy to chat.
Valeria Villegas | 2nd Year
Shixing (Simon) Wang | 4th Year, Biophysics (Prof. Mukherji)
I'm from Linyi, a small city in eastern China. I got my bachelor's degree in Wuhan University. Currently I work in the Mukherji lab with great colleagues and small yeasts. I still remember and appreciate the help I received from those friendly mentors when I first came to this city and was unsure and anxious about the challenges in front of me. I want to be as helpful and pass their kindness along.
Nic Dronchi | 2nd Year, Nuclear Physics (Prof. Sobotka)
Welcome to St. Louis! While I’m not originally from here, it still has that midwestern vibe that I grew up with in Michigan. Some of the things I love about St. Louis is finding all the great beer and all the beautiful parks that I can take my dog Curie to. Before WashU, I got my undergraduate degree in chemical physics from Michigan state. I had a great undergraduate research experience working on positron emission tomography which lead me to find the Sobotka research group here. I am now interested in the excited/resonance states found in light nuclei which can only be found using nuclear accelerators such as Texas A&M’s or MSU’s cyclotron facilities. If we have a class together make sure to say hi, otherwise, I can also be found in the radiochemistry building somewhere.
Jonah Hoffman | 2nd Year, Astrophysics (Prof. Buckley)
I'm from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I did my undergrad in physics at Louisiana State University. I'm now in my second year at WashU, and I'm currently working with Jim Buckley on the microwave electronics for a dark matter search. I like to cook, read, watch movies, play games, and go to art museums (when there isn't a global pandemic).
Garrett King | 2nd Year, Nuclear Physics (Profs. Pastore/Piarulli)
I am originally from Greensburg, Pennsylvania, not too far from Pittsburgh. Before coming to Wash U, I did my undergrad at Michigan State. Now, I work with Professors Pastore and Piarulli studying nucleonic interactions and electroweak interactions of nuclei. Outside of school, I enjoy cooking, checking out new places to eat around the city, playing guitar, and going for the occasional run. When I am on campus, I can usually be found on the fourth floor of Crow. I look forward to having you here and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Natália Calleya | Mentor Emeritus, 5th Year, Nuclear Physics (Prof. Dickhoff)
Hello! I was born and raised in Brasil (yes, with an “s”) and that’s where I got my B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Physics before I joined WashU in 2016 to start my PhD. I come from the Brazilian state called “Big Southern River” that you may know from Brazilian BBQ places or where Tom Brady’s wife was born, too. I’m working with Professor Dickhoff trying to figure out how nuclei do stuff when they’re not in their comfort zones (#relatable) and other nuclear physics things. I very much like to spread knowledge whenever possible, as the head of the outreach committee; and share resources I find useful during this journey, as a mentor. Find me at the Power Plant building, where I do most of my work or around Crow 404 where I certainly don’t do it – I’d love to have a chat and find out more about you and which part of physics caught your eye first!
