I’ve been working at Brookhaven since 2018. I started out as an operator in the main control room, and as of January 2024 have been promoted to an operations coordinator. This work involves doing projects for different groups, as well as keeping the machines running and doing failure diagnosis.

What is the focus of your work on the sPHENIX experiment?

For sPHENIX my contributions are a bit more in the background. I set up and steward the analysis for operations that gives us information on our performance run to run. I also am a part of the team that is responsible for getting beam set up for physics in RHIC and attempting to keep it there.

Where were you born and what is your background before your current position?

I’m originally from Indiana, not far from a town called Greenfield. I took up the position as operator about two months after I graduated from Butler University, a university in Indianapolis, with a bachelor in physics and astrophysics.

What was the most exciting/challenging project you have worked on?

For BNL, the most exciting project I’ve worked on has been the luminosity accounting that we do to work with STAR and sPHENIX. I’ve learned a lot while doing it and continue to find myself challenged as it evolves.

How did you decide to go into your profession??

I was pulled into the physics world through my interest in astronomy and astrophysics. The more I learned about the study of physics, the more I enjoyed it. Working with BNL was a great opportunity for me to work in the scientific field with my educational background.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I have a few hobbies including rock climbing, hiking, and playing board games and video games with my friends. Living in Long Island has also given me plenty of opportunity to visit NYC and spend time at the beautiful beaches.

Fun fact?

Despite both of my parents being natives of the midwest, my maternal grandparents are originally from the NYC area.