What year did you graduate from Burlington High School?
1999
Tell us about your accomplishments since graduating from BHS.
After graduating from BHS, I attended the University of Iowa, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in Physics, Astronomy, and Mathematics in 2003. I then pursued a Ph.D. in Physics at the University of California, Berkeley, completing it in 2009 under the mentorship of Dr. Eliot Quataert in theoretical astrophysics. Following Berkeley, I was fortunate to receive a NASA-funded postdoctoral fellowship at Princeton University.
In 2013, I joined the Department of Physics at Columbia University in New York City, where I’m now a tenured full professor. I also hold a joint appointment as a senior research scientist at the Center for Computational Astrophysics, part of the Simons Foundation’s Flatiron Institute, which supports basic research in the sciences. My research combines pencil-and-paper theory with supercomputer simulations to study some of the most dramatic events in the universe — such as the explosions of stars and their collisions with black holes and neutron stars. I develop theoretical models that predict the light emitted by these “transient” phenomena, which can then be tested by telescopes here on Earth and in space. One of the most rewarding moments of my career came in 2017, when the LIGO observatory detected gravitational waves from the merger of two neutron stars. Follow-up observations confirmed predictions I had made years earlier about the event’s optical and infrared signals, as well as its role in creating heavy elements like gold and platinum.
My work has been recognized with several national honors, including the Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics, the Rossi Prize from the American Astronomical Society, and the 2020 Blavatnik National Laureate in Physical Sciences. I now have the privilege of mentoring brilliant students from around the world and working on projects connected to NASA missions like the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes. I live in New York City with my wife and daughter, and I feel incredibly fortunate to continue exploring the mysteries of the universe from both the classroom and the research frontier.
What was your favorite class at BHS?
A close tie between AP Physics and Adventures in Supercomputing, though I also very much enjoyed chemistry (Mr. Lundy) and a history classes I took (Mr. Abel).
During your time at BHS, did you have a favorite staff member who had a positive impact on you? Tell us about them.
The late Mr. Keith Summerson had a profound impact on me during my time at BHS. He was unapologetically opinionated—someone who likely rubbed a few people the wrong way—but that same intensity fueled his passion for teaching, particularly in physics and computer science. He had high expectations and pushed his students to meet them, never accepting excuses. What set Mr. Summerson apart was his belief in the value of a broad liberal arts education and his ability to make academic excellence—especially in science—feel almost rebellious, even cool. He went above and beyond for his students, organizing our participation in the AiS state competition and arranging a class visit to the University of Iowa’s physics program. That visit left a lasting impression and ultimately led me to choose Iowa for college—a pivotal step on the path to who I’ve become.
Do you have any advice for recent and future graduates?
You may not know exactly what you want to do yet—and that’s perfectly okay. Most people don’t know where they’ll end up in a few years, let alone 30. The important thing is to keep your options open and to stay curious. Never stop learning or pushing yourself to grow.
While the world and technology are evolving at an incredible pace, certain skills never go out of style. Strong communication—both in writing and in speech—along with the ability to think clearly, reason critically, and seek out reliable information will serve you well in any field. Focus on building those foundations, and you’ll be ready for whatever opportunities the future brings.
How did your time at BHS impact your adult life?
Looking back, one of the things I most appreciate about my time at BHS is the diversity of my classmates. I had the opportunity to learn and grow alongside peers from all walks of life—something I’ve come to value even more now that I live in a city where many families default to specialized private schools with more homogeneous student populations. I’m also grateful for the many teachers at BHS who genuinely cared about us—not just as students, but as people. Their dedication and support helped shape the values I carry with me today, both personally and professionally.