Major: Mechanical Engineering with a biomedical focus

Future plans: Design prosthetics in Latin America!

Advice on how to approach P-Cubed: Actively participate in class! It's so much easier to study later and ensure you understand the topic when you actively try to problem solve in a low-risk environment.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class?: Attend a help room! Once you run through a problem step-by-step, you understand the concept behind it and what approaches to use in the future.

Fun fact about me I have four tattoos.

Email aultman3@msu.edu

Major: Electrical Engineering

Future plans: Get my bachelor's and find work in Grand Rapids

Advice on how to approach P-Cubed: You should actually write out a plan ahead of time, it actually makes it easier to solve and organize the problem.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class?: Ask for the TA or a classmate to explain. No matter what you do, do not let yourself fall behind the group.

Fun fact about me I am a huge music fan: besides listening to music, I also play bass and guitar, and I have a vinyl collection!

Email skipper4@msu.edu

Major: Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Spanish.

Future plans: Work towards optimizing renewable energy.

Advice on how to approach P-Cubed: With an open mind. You might find that there is more than one way to approach a problem, so group discussions and adaptability can help you find even better ways of taking on the course material.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class?: Visit the help room! We’re there to help you, and even if you don't have any questions it's a very productive study space.

Fun fact about me I play alto saxophone in the Spartan Marching Band!

Email stackbro@msu.edu

Major: Applied Engineering Sciences

Future plans: Working for PepsiCo as a packaging engineer

Advice on how to approach P-Cubed: do not be afraid of help rooms and use the mock exams!

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class?: Reach out! We are here to help. Attend help rooms, practice!

Fun fact about me: I am certified to do taxes

Help room hours Wednesdays 4:00pm-5:00pm

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Future plans: Work in the automotive industry

Advice on how to approach P-Cubed: Make sure you have open communication within your groups and try to include everyone in your group in conversations.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class?: The help room is a great tool for homework and reaching out to your group for help is very beneficial.

Fun fact about me I am on the MSU equestrian team.

Help room hours Wednesdays 3:00pm-4:00pm

Email john7976@msu.edu

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Future plans: Work in the automotive industry.

Advice on how to approach P-Cubed: Don’t be afraid to make mistakes in class. You have your group and LAs to help you out, and it’s easier to learn from your mistakes.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class?: Talk to your group about topics you are struggling with and come to the help room.

Fun fact about me: I won a Go-Kart championship when I was 9 years old.

Email eastonco@msu.edu

Major: Computer Science Engineering

Future plans: Become an entrepreneur and build my own tech company

Advice on how to approach P-Cubed: Being active in class is the easiest way to become familiar with the topics and test your understanding of the concepts.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class?: Help room is your best choice. Talk to your ULA, and I am sure most of your problems will be solved.

Fun fact about me: I used to ride motorcycles back home, and currently I box at IM West.

Help room hours Mondays 5-6 PM

Email ferna375@msu.edu

Major: Computer Science

Future plans: I want to make AI and computer algorithms more equitable and less biased against marginalized groups.

Advice on how to approach P-Cubed: Do the readings and actively participate in class. If you can do the harder in-class problems with your group in class, you can study from those and then replicate similar concepts on the exams.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class?: I think nothing is more helpful than the help room! Whether it is help on homework or questions on an in-class problem, the help room gives you a chance to sit down with classmates and LAs who can give you a step-by-step explanation and way forward with both that specific problem and the concept as a whole.

Fun fact about me: During the summer I work as a camp counselor at a camp that runs outdoor trips. This past summer I helped lead a bunch of 14 year olds a sea kayaking trip at Lake Superior Provincial Park and then led a 115-mile backpacking trip around Isle Royale!

Help room hours Mondays 1-2PM

Email broder50@msu.edu

Major: Computer Science

Future plans: Pursuing a career in computer science centered around either machine learning or data engineering.

Advice on how to approach P-Cubed: Make sure you set aside time to learn the concepts. The reading material and homework problems outside of class can appear daunting but it becomes significantly easier if you dedicate time every day of the week to learning the material and attempting problems.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class?: You will hear this a lot, but seriously, come to help room!! If you are struggling in class that is the best way to get clarification on concepts and receive help on the homework.

Fun fact about me I’ve spent time in the Romanian countryside and have milked a cow.

Help room hours Mondays 3-4PM

Email andronic@msu.edu

Major: Computer Engineering

Future plans: I aspire to become a game-dev engineer, bringing my passion for gaming and technology to life!

Advice on how to approach P-Cubed: Plan and visualize problems to solve them faster. Get to know your group, actively participate, listen, and contribute to discussions. Engaging with teammates helps you understand concepts better. And remember, teamwork makes the dream work!“

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class?: Make sure to stay on top of your homework, as it's crucial for understanding difficult concepts. Engage your group members for help, and more so take advantage of office hours and help rooms. Do not fall behind, use all these resources to your advantage to stay on track.

Fun fact about me: I'm a master at dominating EA Sports FC but put me on an actual soccer field, and I'm likelier to trip over the ball!

Help room hours Mondays 6-7PM

Email adjaklos@msu.edu

Major: Chemical Engineering

Future plans: Work on optimizing the manufacturing of medications to decrease costs for patients.

Advice on how to approach P-Cubed: Use all of the resources available to you! Mock exams, help room, and Piazza are all great ways to further your understanding and prepare for projects and exams

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class?: Reach out to your groupmates or other people you know in the class, talk to your LA, and go to help room.

Fun fact about me I love anything that has to do with being outside (running, rock climbing, skiing, hiking), and I've been to 23 US National Parks!

Help room hours Mondays 5-6PM

Email majorsn1@msu.edu

Major: Astrophysics

Future plans: I plan to go to grad school to get a PhD in astrophysics, and then see where the road leads.

Advice on how to approach P-Cubed: Make sure to study before class and go to the help rooms if you're ever struggling. Also, make sure to communicate with your group; you're all there to help each other through the problems!

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class?: If you're struggling, never feel bad about reaching out to your group leader. There are help rooms throughout the whole week that are a huge asset, and if you can't make it to them there is also the piazza forum for any questions!

Fun fact about me I have a blind dog named Neo, and he can still run after and catch balls (he's always been a huge ball dog), if you see me feel free to ask for a picture of him!

Help room hours Fridays 3:00-4:00PM

Email haweswil@msu.edu

course_planning

Major:

Future plans:

Advice on how to approach P-Cubed:

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class?:

Fun fact about me

Help room hours

Email purcel75@msu.edu

Major: Chemical Engineering

Future plans: I plan to work on optimizing medicine or designing prosthetics.

Advice on how to approach P-Cubed: Don't be afraid to ask questions and come into class each day with an open mind. The class assignments are meant to help you learn so be willing to give it a shot.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class?: Reach out to your groupmates. Chances are if you have questions, someone else does too. You can also reach out to your LA or go to the help room.

Fun fact about me I was a competitive dancer for 10 years and my life was like the show Dance Moms for a while. I still love to dance in my free time and cheer on our dance team.

Help room hours

Email lafinava@msu.edu

Major: Biosystems Engineering

Future plans: Become a stream engineer and work in wildlife conservation making fish ladders for dams. 

Advice on how to approach P-Cubed: Don’t come into class with the expectation you will solve the problem right away. You’ll make mistakes and get stumped. Don’t worry! That’s supposed to happen. Take a deep breath and keep trying. Ask questions when you’re confused and come to help room. 

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class?: This isn’t an easy class, but that doesn’t mean it has to be hard. We’re here to help! Utilizing class resources like help rooms, mock exams, and your peers is the best way to succeed. 

Fun fact about me: Big sweater fan, big bug fan, and big fan fan. Likes long walks on the beach and long walks in general. I just did a co-op internship over the spring and summer so feel free to come to me with any questions about co-ops or EGRX.

Help room hours

Email warne154@msu.edu

Major: Computer Science

Future plans: I would like to work either with AI or Cybersecurity somewhere

Advice on how to approach P-Cubed: Make sure to participate fully with your team! Everyone's ideas when put together is a whole lot better than just one person.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class?: Go to the help room and ask any questions that you have. 

Fun fact about me: play the guitar, piano, and cello and love all things music!

Help room hours

Email finlanhi@msu.edu

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Future plans: I aim to advance machinery design with a focus on sustainability, creating solutions that are both efficient and environmentally responsible.

Advice on how to approach P-Cubed: Never be afraid to ask your group questions. Not fully understanding the material is part of the learning process, and discussing it with your group helps everyone. Explaining ideas out loud is one of the best ways to truly understand them. It’s also helpful to hear how others think through problems, as different explanations can offer new perspectives and make things click.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class?: I think practice problems are really helpful—they give you hands-on experience and make it easier to spot which concepts you’re struggling with. If you run out of problems, try asking ChatGPT to create more based on the topics you find challenging.

Fun fact about me: My whole family loves running and always tries to get me into it. They did their best to convince me, but I never really took to it. It wasn’t until I started college—and they stopped trying—that I decided to give it a shot. Now I’m training for a half marathon.

Help room hours

Email pagewoo3@msu.edu

Major: Applied Engineering Sciences

Future plans: Work in a big city as an engineer in the packaging and/or supply chain management industry, focusing on sustainability. 

Advice on how to approach P-Cubed: Come with an open mind and a willingness to collaborate. Take advantage of the opportunity to connect with like-minded peers, and never be afraid to talk through a problem. You’ll learn just as much from your classmates as you do from the material!

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class?: Do not get discouraged and visit the help room! Everyone is here to help and it is so beneficial to get one on one with a ULA/Professor. 

Fun fact about me I LOVE to dance and do pilates.

Help room hours

Email freitago@msu.edu

Major: Civil Engineering

Future plans: Design structures that focus on safety and sustainability.

Advice on how to approach P-Cubed: Learn from each other! Everyone has different strengths, look around at the people in your group and try to pick up a habit or two. This will make you more well rounded  and give you the important ability of recognizing what other people are good at.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class?: I think the best thing you can do for yourself and your group is to ask questions! During class or at help room, it's important to pick apart what you don't understand so you can find the issue and grow from there.

Fun fact about me: I love apple juice! 

Help room hours

Email buhlrose@msu.edu

Sections: 4

Research Area: High Energy Physics

Description of Research: One of the many goals in high-energy physics is to look at the subatomic world and describe what matter is made of. The ATLAS group, where I would like to do research, is involved in one of the detectors of the LHC at CERN, where protons or ions are brought into collision. By tracking the different particles after these collisions, you study the elementary particles and even hope to find new physics.

What excites you about physics: What excites me most about physics is that you learn new concepts every day. The more you think you know, the more you realize that this is not true. And it also helps you to better understand the world around you.

What do you recommend if you're struggling in class?: Try to keep up with your homework and don't wait too long if you realize you're struggling. The first step I would recommend is to ask your group members for help. Furthermore, don't hesitate to use all the other resources such as LAs, TAs, Office Horus, Helproom and the various forums to ask questions.

Fun fact about me I'm really bad at orientation, I once even managed to get lost with one of my friends on a school trip because we took a different route to the others. So, if you see me, never ask me for directions. My best support in this regard is Google Maps. What's more is that I play the piano and enjoy taking horse riding lessons.

Email: imthurnc@msu.edu

Section: 5

Research Area: Condensed Matter Theory

Description of Research: Simulating quantum dot systems exploring nonlinear optical phenomena.

What excites you about physics: I love being able to solve my everyday problems, physics is the knowledge of the real world!

What do you recommend if you're struggling in class?: Take a step back, sometimes it helps to separate from the problem for a moment, if that doesn't work you can always talk to someone, your peers know a lot and might have an explanation that makes sense to you.

Fun fact about me Can't wait to go skiing come winter.

Help room hours Sunday Piazza discussion forum manager

Email: neuharti@msu.edu

Section: 5

Degrees: B.S. in Physics; M.S. in Physics; Ph.D. in Physics

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

Description of research in that area: I’m most interested in developing the next generation of physics assessments, particularly with an eye to equity and inclusion. My work employs psychometric theory through large datasets and theoretically-grounded measurement models with an aim to ensure inclusive assessment practices within physics education. Broadly, the research questions that I explore are the following: (1) What is the impact of physics assessments, that may or may not be inclusive, on student success? (2) How can we modify our assessments to improve diversity and inclusion within the physics classroom? (3) How can we ensure that we are assessing our students in an equitable manner so that they can become successful career scientists?

What excites you about physics: I love the challenge of understanding how everything—from the smallest particles to the largest galaxies—fits together. Asking hard questions and designing creative ways to investigate those questions is what makes physics fun.

Advice on how to approach P-Cubed: Come into it with an open mind to exploring new things but don’t rush the learning process. It’s important to focus on the process rather than the product and your instructors and group mates are there to collaborate with you.

What do you recommend doing if you are struggling in class?: Ask, ask, ask. You have access to many resources to help you including me and your instructors, your classmates, and discussion boards.

Fun fact about me:: I have THE cutest French Bulldog at home – you can ask me to see pictures.

Help room hours: Mondays 4-5 pm in the help room, or by appointment (email me)

Email: hende473@msu.edu

Section: 3 & 4

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 P-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? Talk to me or schedule an appointment to talk to me. You also ha LAs in the class who have taken the course in the recent past and have been in your position. They can offer good, constructive advice on how to approach and overcome particular struggles. 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 Piazza 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: Wednesdays 2:00pm-3:00pm; Piazza Discussion Forum Manager:

Email: hallstei@msu.edu