In my high school years, before coming to RPI, I held a number of positions doing research at Brookhaven National Labs. It was this experience working with Dr. Elaine DiMasi that solidified my aspirations. I got a taste early on of what it was like to do real research, and to interact in an environment of researchers. I experienced firsthand what it was like to perform original research and present it to peers and superiors in the field.

When I went to RPI, I knew what I wanted to do, so I immediately set out looking for research work similar to my experience at Brookhaven National Labs. I found out that it can't be done; the kind of experience of being a full time employee at a laboratory doing original work simply can't be emulated in an environment where one's time is dedicated primarily to classes.

This is where the B.S./Ph.D. program comes in. This program creates the working environment of a full time researcher as opposed to that of a student. This program was closer to what I was looking for, so when I was invited to apply, I accepted that invitation.

As of the fall semester of 2008, I am an undergraduate student in my third year at RPI. By the end of that semester, I will have accrued enough credits to achieve effectual graduate status by the school's 18 credit rule.

I am currently working in RPI's Terahertz Research lab under Dr. Xi-Chen Zhang's and Dr. Albert Redo. In this lab, I design and construct an array of new and interesting imaging systems. At the moment, my project is a long distance imaging system that will allow fast continuous wave imaging at a distance.

Since I am only just at the beginning of my experience in this program, I am unsure of what doors this experience will open for me, and which ones it will close. All I can say is that I like where it is headed, and I am interested to find out.