Martin A. Fisher School of Physics

Undergraduate Alumni Experiences

Quotes from Physics Undergraduate Alumni

Headshot of Sam Kelson
Sam Kelson '25

Graduate Student,  University of Wisconsin-Madison PhD Program in Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics

“From my first year at Brandeis, I was able to dive into undergraduate research, which set me on the path toward pursuing a PhD. What makes Brandeis unique is its combination of a close-knit liberal arts environment with the opportunities of an R1 research institution. I built a strong community of friends, colleagues, and mentors who supported me as I explored and discovered the areas of physics and engineering research that truly inspired me.”

Headshot of Dowling Wong
Dowling Wong '24

Graduate Student, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology PhD Program in Physics

“Brandeis Physics gave me a strong foundation in problem-solving and a deep appreciation for how theoretical ideas connect to real-world experiments. Through research and close mentorship, I developed the skills and confidence to pursue physics beyond the classroom.”

Headshot of Iria Wang
Iria Wang '22

Graduate Student, Harvard University PhD Program in Physics

Looking back, I’m especially grateful for the opportunities Brandeis gave me early on, particularly the chance to get involved in research early as an undergraduate. That experience helped me grow quickly and set me up for the next step in my PhD training.

Headshot of Ruoshi Liu
Ruoshi Liu '19

Research Scientist, Amazon, Frontier AI & Robotics (FAR)

As an undergrad at Brandeis physics, I was able to take small classes taught by world-class faculty, and at the same time work on independent research in amazing research labs. It was a truly transformational experience that helped shape the foundation of my academic career.

Headshot of Benjy Hetchman ’16
Benjy Hetchman ’16

Graduate Student, Stony Brook University PhD Program in Applied Mathematics & Statistics

“Right off the bat, I was given these substantial tasks and assignments that kind of grew in both scope and size, allowing me to learn about the inner workings of the lab in a really hands on way.”