“It’s a pretty small group of majors, but everyone is close and all know one another.”
As someone who has always loved math, a major in Physics in addition to her Math major has given Erin an opportunity to investigate how math can apply to the real world. Within the Physics Department, Erin enjoys the small group of Physics students, all of whom she has gotten to know well. Through the Society of Physics Students, there are opportunities for students within the Department to attend events such as an annual end of year picnic, which are opportunities to bond with classmates. Erin also appreciates the Physics Department faculty, especially Professor Darsa Donelan, whom Erin feels like she can go to whenever she needs help with something. Erin has also worked with Professor Donelan on research outside of the classroom through the Gustavus FYRE program. Erin was involved in building a telescope to study radio signals created by one of the moons of Jupiter, and was able to present her research at a conference in St. Louis. The Physics faculty also aided Erin in applying for other research experiences, and as a result she was able to participate in a summer astrophysics research project at the University of California Davis. Erin says, “I made a lot of great connections and learned a lot about the research process”. These experiences have greatly helped Erin prepare for graduate school and a future career, and she plans to pursue a PhD in Astrophysics. Outside of the Physics Department, Erin is also a member of Gustavus Symphony Orchestra, Nordic Ski Club, and Society of Physics Students.