Section: 3

Major: Neuroscience

Future plans: Pursue research in brain related fields

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Be prepared for class and don’t hesitate to ask questions. It’s meant to be a group effort so communication is the key.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? There are so many resources available to help you out. You can come to help room (in person or online through zoom meeting) or drop your questions in d2l discussion board. Reach out to your instructor. Remember that we are here to support you and we will do anything we can to help you succeed. If you don’t know or you are not sure, it’s always best to ask questions.

Fun fact about me: I am the oldest of 6 siblings. This summer I started to learn new language (write and read Arabic). I can now read and write and hardly make some sample sentences.

Help room hours: Mondays 10 - 11 am

Email: alitahir@msu.edu

Section: 5

Major: Computer Science

Future plans: I want to pursue an MBA and hopefully start my own company in the future

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: my advice would be to be ready to be challenged as this course will pull you outside of your comfort zone but in the best way possible

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? ASK, reach out! We’re all here to help you succeed so don’t be afraid to ask questions and share any concerns you have. There are also tons of resources available for you so don’t be afraid to ask us questions or let us know if you are feeling uncertain about any concepts!

Fun fact about me: My first car accident ever was crashing into a tree in my neighborhood :D

Help room hours: D2L Discussion Board Manager - Tuesdays

Email: challane@msu.edu

Section: 4

Major: Biosystems Engineering

Future plans: Attend med school or a PhD program

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Get comfortable with your groups and make connections outside of just physics.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Go to your group first, that’s why they’re there! Ask for clarification or an explanation. Beyond that, help room is a great time to get assistance and discussion boards are helpful too.

Fun fact about me: I once let my friend cut my hair and give me bangs.

Help room hours: Fridays 3 - 4 pm

Email: dashner1@msu.edu

Section: 4

Major: Materials science and engineering with a biomedical concentration

Future plans: To work in R&D for a biomedical company

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Read the notes and the feedback EVERY WEEK! That’s the best way to learn and improve in this class especially since it’s based on group work.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Ask for help from your LA, your group members, the instructors or really anyone else in the class. It’s designed to be a collaborative experience so the best way to improve is by communicating with other people. A good way to do that is by attending the help room hours or using the discussion boards on D2L.

Fun fact about me: I spent all of last year working for Johnson & Johnson in their front end research and development metallurgy lab and I loved every minute of it! If anyone is interested in biomedical materials I will talk your ear off about what I did there!

Help room hours: D2L Discussion Board Manager - Mondays

Email: grobbe19@msu.edu

Section: 4

Major: Computer Science

Future plans: Work remotely and live out of a van.

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Come to class prepared and form connections with your groupmates. Don't stress!

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Ask questions and come to help room!!

Fun fact about me: I worked in Yellowstone National Park this summer and I summited the middle Teton.

Email: haaseede@msu.edu

Section: 4

Major: Civil Engineering

Future plans: Graduate, get a job, then have a little house that I can redecorate all the time.

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Say what’s on your mind and think out loud. Communication is so, so important for success in this class.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Once again, say what’s on your mind and think out loud! Your instructor and LAs are here to help you, so do not be afraid to speak up in or out of class and ask for help. Help room hours and discussion boards are also available every week, and we want you to use them!

Fun fact about me: I have a Japanese minor, and I’ve studied abroad in Japan twice!

Help room hours: Mondays 6 - 7 pm

Email: heraldta@msu.edu

Section: 3

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Future plans: To work in the biomedical field, designing medical devices.

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Come to class prepared and make sure to talk with your group.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Come to help room and ask lots of questions!!

Fun fact about me: I love reading!

Help room hours: Tuesdays 10 - 11 am

Email: jeffe122@msu.edu

Section: 5

Major: Computer Science

Future plans: To become a Cyberspace Operator for the Air Force

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: If you get to know your groupmates, come prepared to class, and put in effort everyday, you will do outstanding in this course.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? If you're feeling overwhelmed, try and find something that relaxes you like going for a walk or reading a book. If you are struggling on physics content specifically, come to the help room! It'll help immensely.

Fun fact about me: I met a CowFish this past year. See my picture for more details.

Help room hours: Mondays 5 - 6 pm

Email: kwiatk67@msu.edu

Section: 4

Major: Computer Science

Future plans: My plans as of now are just to graduate

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Some good advice would be to always be able to contact your group mates and prepare well before the class.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? If you’re struggling in the course attend help rooms and don’t be afraid to ask questions to the teaching team, as well as your group mates.

Fun fact about me: I was born in Bosnia and moved to Lansing when I was a kid.

Help room hours: Tuesdays 5 - 6 pm

Email: parganbi@msu.edu

Section: 5

Major: Computer Science

Future plans: Graduate and hopefully get into dental school

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Be open-minded and ready to learn! Get to know your groupmates.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Take good notes (re-watch the videos if still confused), come to help room, and ask your groupmates. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, we are here to guide you through!

Fun fact about me: I fell from a scooter and broke my front two teeth.

Help room hours: Mondays 12 - 1 pm

Email: parkeu24@msu.edu

Section: 5

Major: Data Science

Future plans: Graduate from MSU. Past that, no idea… we’ll see!

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Maybe you don’t understand everything coming to class…that’s okay! Just ask questions and participate and you’ll get there.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Take advantage of every resource this class offers. Most importantly ask questions. Lots of them.

Fun fact about me: I love backpacking. Been backpacking in New Mexico, northern Minnesota, pictured rocks, and even around metro Detroit!

Help room hours: Mondays 9 - 10 am

Email: robe1157@msu.edu

Section: 3

Major: Physics

Future plans: Get into grad school for nuclear physics and eventually work in a nuclear physics lab

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Don’t be afraid to ask questions and have fun

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Take a step back look over the problem and your work so far, talk back through everything you have written, and don’t be afraid to ask questions that’s why we are here

Fun fact about me: I was in the Navy for 8 years as an electrician and I am Mom to 4 kids and 2 cats

Help room hours: Mondays 11 am - 12 pm

Email: seppalad@msu.edu

Section: 3

Major: Computer Science

Future plans: Use my degree to get some job, not sure what yet.

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Get to know the people in your groups and start the homework early so you have time to ask questions.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Post on the d2l discussion boards and attend help-rooms. I would also step away from the problem for a while just to calm yourself for another go at the problem

Fun fact about me: I play trombone in the Spartan Marching Band

Help room hours: D2L Discussion Manager - Fridays

Email: storycal@msu.edu

Section: 3

Major: Premedical Program & Biosystems Engineering

Future plans: Pursuing a PhD/MD in Surgical Innovation with the intersection of Genetic Engineering and Surgery

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Talk! Talk about why you are confused, talk about what you understand , talk about what you are struggling with - this is a community-based learning for a reason so use that community to learn.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Help Room! It sounds obvious, but devote time to understanding what you do not understand so that you can connect the big picture items.

Fun fact about me: I am the Vice President for the Spartan Marching Band and do research with the Physics Education Research Lab.

Help room hours: Fridays 2 - 3 pm (Zoom)

Email: stumptyl@msu.edu

Section: 3

Major: Physics

Future plans: Go to grad school to get a doctorate in physics, then teach and do research at a university.

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Have an open mind! The format of this class can be unfamiliar, but it is ultimately an enriching experience.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Ask questions and use the resources at your disposal! And know that it's okay to take a breath during class.

Fun fact about me: I play guitar and bass and love to write music.

Help room hours: Tuesdays 4 - 5 pm

Email: valen176@msu.edu

Section: 5

Major: Computer Science

Future plans: Complete a Master’s degree in CS at MSU, work as an algorithm engineer in the automotive industry.

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Be friendly with your groupmates and tutors, the community is a big part of this class.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Come to help room and ask questions :D

Fun fact about me: I’ve worked as a software engineering intern for Amazon in Seattle. Feel free to send an email if you have questions about them as an employer.

Help room hours: Fridays 12 - 1 pm

Email: woodsna1@msu.edu

Section: 5

Research Area: Physics Education Research

Description of research in that area: I am currently researching the ways in which computational thinking manifests in introductory physics classrooms, and how we can guide curricular design to promote computational thinking engagement.

What excites you about physics: I find that learning physics is very exciting; the notion of understanding the ways in which the universe operates is quite fascinating. I grow more intrigued as I learn about new phenomena, and I feel as though I have truly found my passion.

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Stay ahead of schedule by reviewing ideas before class, because it will make class time feel much more productive

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? I’d recommend reaching out to an LA who could point you in the right direction of where a valuable resource might be for your unique situation, including online notes, homework problems, exam prep folders, help room, discussion board, etc.

Fun fact about me: I play piano and have a big cat named Solomon who is the ruler of our apartment

Help room hours: D2L Discussion Board Manager - Saturdays & Sundays

Email: botttheo@msu.edu

Section: 4

Research Area: Quantum Chromodynamics

Description of research in that area: It is the theory that we have in order to describe one of the fundamental interactions in nature: the strong interaction. It is the interaction that binds quarks and makes protons and neutrons, but also the interaction that binds protons and neutrons and makes atomic nuclei.

What excites you about physics: Telescopes and observatories.

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Try to interpret the formulas. That is, try to interpret each of the variables and other mathematical symbols (signs, vector notations etc.) in a formula and by combining everything try to explain in a sentence what the formula is saying.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Ask as many questions as you want and remember that we are here for you.

Fun fact about me: In high school I seriously considered studying history.

Help room hours: Tuesdays 9 - 10 am & 12 - 1 pm

Email: trimisio@msu.edu

Section: 3

Degrees: B.S. in Engineering Physics; M.S. in Physics; Ph.D. in Physics, research area in Physics Education Research

Research/Interest Area: My research area is Physics Education Research.

Description of research in that area: My research has focused on the development and evaluation of active learning (non-lecture) physics classes, particularly introductory mechanics and E&M. Most recently, my research has focused particularly on two areas: 1) how students develop computational thinking practices and 2) how we can make active learning classes more accessible.

What excites you about physics: I love the explanatory power of physics and that physics can explain what happens in every day life - like how metal detectors work or how power is generated or how the electric grid is set up.

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: This class is about more than getting a final answer, it's about understanding the process and understanding what your final answer actually means. Spend the time understanding the assumptions that are in the notes and in the problems, and really evaluate your answers. It's ok if they aren't completely realistic, the important part is to be able to identify why they aren't realistic and what the effects are on your solution.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Remember that you have a lot of resources in this class. In addition to help room, you have your instructors in class, you have your group mates, there's D2L discussion boards, and the notes. Don't be afraid of not knowing something - it is always worth it to ask questions or say something if you don't get an idea/concept!

Fun fact about me: I love to cook and bake. Most recently, I've learned to make croissants from scratch (turns out it is a 3-day recipe) and a variety of homemade sausages. I think I'm going to learn lots of different breads this semester.

Help room hours: Tuesdays 2 - 3 pm (In person - BPS 1248)

Email: mcpadden@msu.edu

Section: 4 & 5

Degrees: BS degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Physics; MS in Physics Education

Research/Interest Area: Teaching Physics

What excites you about physics: That physics helps me to understand the universe and the world around me. I love learning new things about how physics applies to other areas of interest, particularly from the students in my classes about their areas of interest.

Advice on how to approach EMP-Cubed: Read the lecture notes and watch the linked videos to prepare you to complete the pre-class homework. Instead of trying to rush through an in-class problem, your focus should be on the process you follow as you work through them. How you work through and connect the concepts is more important than your group finishing the problem. After the first class meeting of each week, get started on the post-class homework – don’t wait until the last minute. While there is an individual-only component to the class (our exams), most of it is group-focused in the case of our in-class problems and projects; or homework where you can collaborate with your fellow students and course staff on your personalized assignments. Use the lecture notes and pre-class homework to prepare you for our in-class problems; the in-class problems help to prepare you for group projects, the post-class homework, and the individual exams; the post-course homework helps to solidify your understanding of the week’s work and better prepare you for the individual exams.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class? Take advantage of all of the resources available to you. In addition to the course notes and videos, you have the help room, D2L discussion boards, your group mates, and your fellow students from other groups available to you. If you find yourself grappling with a concept, don’t delay seeking help through these resources. Questions you bring to the help room or the D2L discussion can go beyond the current homework. Use these forums to ask about any concepts from the class, the in-class problems, the lecture notes, or any previous homework assignments you wish to review.

Fun fact about me: I like to bike, cook and taking my dog Reo on long walks (or does he walk me?). Each of the past couple of summers, I rode my mountain bike for 100 miles in a day and hope to do this again this August.

Help room hours: Tuesdays 3 - 4 pm

Email: hallstei@msu.edu