Dannah Almasco, Adventures in Internships
Mechanical Engineering and Business, Economics & Management, Class of 2010
Dannah is a rising senior in Fleming House, originally from San Diego, CA. She is a tour guide, a student reader for the freshman admissions committee, and a food critic for the campus newspaper. A member of the Caltech Dance Troupe, Dannah also practices yoga and aerobics. After graduating from Caltech, Dannah plans to enter the work industry; her previous summer activities have included research at Caltech and an internship with Boeing in Los Angeles. This summer, Dannah will be relocating to Houston, Texas to work as a mechanical engineering intern for Schlumberger, the world's largest oilfield services corporation. After the internship, Dannah will travel to Guatemala for a research trip in preparation for an engineering class.
Masha Belyi, Caltech in Copenhagen
Bio
logy, Class of 2010
I am currently a junior enrolled at Caltech, but studying abroad in Copenhagen for the fall term. I came to Caltech to major in biology, and take advantage of all the other opportunities it has to offer. I was born in Russia, but my family moved over to the US in 2000, when I was ten. Now I have lived almost half my life in the US, but I am still fluent in Russian and preserve my Russian background. My new home though is in a town close to Boston, where I return during the holidays. I spend my time at Caltech studying, but also enjoying the warm sunny days. I run for the Caltech team, and generally like to do sports and stay outdoors in my free time. I like to explore and try new exciting things, which is probably how I ended up in Copenhagen. Now I am really enjoying my time abroad, and will have lots to share when I get back to Caltech.
Rick Bischoff, Director's Notebook
Director of Undegraduate Admissions
Rick has been the director of admissions at Caltech since July 2004. He previously served as an associate director of admissions at Macalester College and the University of Chicago. Rick holds a BA in mathematics from Macalester College and an MBA in information systems from the University of Minnesota. Rick enjoys fly fishing, mountain biking and believes that the Cubs are going to win the World Series in 2009!
Wesley Chen, Around Campus
Class of 2012
Hi, I'm Wesley Chen, currently a frosh at Caltech and a member of Avery House as the Social Director. Caltech usually isn't associated with "social activities" but it turns out that every week there's a ton of activities that people can attend outside of academia. Hopefully, I'll be able to introduce you to some of them before the start of next year!
Joules Gould, ME72: Mechanical Engineering Lab
Mechanical Engineering, Class of 2010
Born in Japan and traveling around the world most of her childhood, Joules finally ended up in little Beavercreek, Ohio. The mundane life of staying in one place led her to look for a change of scenery. This is what attracted her to Caltech ( not the reputation of being a world-famous math and science institution). A junior in Mechanical Engineering at Caltech, Joules is also Chancellor of Avery House, a member of the Women's Basketball Team, an usher and tourguide and now a blogger for admissions. This year, her goal is not to sleep (just kidding) and so while juggling all of her other commitments, she is going to build 2 robots to compete in a competition against her fellow MEs on March 10. This is a blog about that quest. Can she do it, or will her and her robots go down in flames? Read on to find out...
Tom Gwinn, Under the Palms
Electrical Engineering, Class of 2010
Tom Gwinn was born on August 6th 1987 in Orlando, Florida. Mischievous as a young child, his tendency to demolish the interiors of so-called "child-proofed" houses lead him to be welcome in very few places. At some point he decided to put a small fraction of the time he spent taking things apart into putting them back together, starting a lifelong obsession with tinkering. This obsession was eventually the driving factor for Tom to attend Caltech to study Electrical Engineering, where he is now a junior and member of Lloyd House. He is a member of Professor Axel Scherer's Nanofabrication group, where he primarily works on nano-electrical-mechanical systems (NEMS) and magnetics. Tom's primary interests include nanofabrication, automotive repair, SCUBA diving, and learning Mandarin.
Tyler Hannasch, Under the Palms
Mechanical Engineering & Business, Economics and Management, Class of 2011
If you like building blimps and battleships, causing sporadic water wars, and taking any ME class that lets you blow something up, you would be very comfortable in my life. My name is Tyler Hannasch, I'm a Sophomore Mechanical Engineering and Business Major here at Caltech. I am a member of Fleming Hovse and play on the Caltech Soccer Team. I'm also a part of the Caltech Sustainability Council and a Computer Systems representative for my house.
Travis Haussler, Hoops
Applied & Computational Mathematics and Business, Class of 2009
I am a senior enjoying my last year at Caltech. I currently split my time as a student and as a captain of the men's basketball team (Go Beavers!). Beyond school I am looking for jobs in the financial industry, which is turning out to be quite a challenge given the current state of our economy. I grew up in Northern California, but I have found LA to be great so far. The weather is fantastic and there is always something to do. Well into spring of last year I remember going snowboarding on Mt. Baldy on a Saturday and heading out to Venice beach the next day. School here is certainly tough, but if you give yourself the chance to relax a bit during the down times it can be very manageable.
Janis Intoy, The Frosh Experience
Class of 2012
Hi everybody! My name is Janis Intoy, and I'm a frosh at Caltech. I was born in Japan and have spent most of my life thus far on the coasts of the United States. I was an east coast girl throughout high school but I think I'm transitioning well into a California girl. I'm already a swimmer for the Caltech team, and I plan on playing water polo in the spring as well. My experience at Caltech so far has been very exciting, and I'm looking forward to sharing my newest adventures with all of you!
Tony Jia, Caltech in Japan
Chemistry and Business, Economics & Management, Class of 2010
Tony is currently a senior originally from Chicago, IL. Since coming to Caltech, Tony has been able to work in a couple different labs, and he feels that his experiences at Caltech will definitely help in both graduate school and beyond. Outside of school, Tony enjoys the Chicago White Sox, traveling, and long walks on the beach. This summer (or what's left of it), Tony will be traveling to Okazaki, Japan as a part of the Bishop summer study abroad award for a Japanese Language and Culture program. This experience will give a fleeting glimpse into the two cultures of Japan: One which is the rapidly-growing technological capital of the world, and the other which retains many traditional cultures and customs. How can these coexist so peacefully? Hopefully, Tony will be able to give some commentary about this through the eyes of a typical Caltech student.
Kirit Karkare, Ruddock OPI
Physics, Class of 2011
Kirit is a sophomore Physics major at Caltech, originally from Thousand Oaks, California. Apart from building parties, he is Vice-President of Ruddock House, a tour guide, and a member of the Caltech-Occidental Symphony Orchestra. He enjoys searing steak, braising pork, and roasting chicken. His primary interests include astronomical instrumentation, The Proclaimers, and wishing he were on pass-fail again so he would have more time to build OPI.
Anton Bongio Karrman, A Techer in Paris
Applied & Computational Mathematics,Class of 2011
My name is Anton, and I'm almost a junior. I am currently majoring in applied and computational mathematics, and it's something I really hope to use once I finish my undergrad studies. I was born and raised in Santa Rosa, which is about an hour's worth of driving distance north of San Francisco. High school involved many activities that continue to interest me, including sports like cross country and track, doing "math-y" things, improving the natural environment, studying French culture and language, as well as playing musical instruments. I love to travel, meet new people, make music, try new foods, and spend quality time with family and friends. I plan on doing many things throughout the course of my life; this four year "science phase" at Caltech is one of them! Enjoy my blog.
Alex Krikorian, A Senior's Perspective
Geobiology, Class of 2009
I am a senior majoring in Geobiology and English. I have been a tour guide since my Freshman year, and have worked closely with Admissions coordinating schedules for visiting admitted students. I am a member of Page House and was an off-campus UCC during Junior year. I love music and reading, and I never go anywhere without a book. I also love to laugh and have fun with my friends! Especially laughing.
Shruti Mishra, SURFing, Bioengineering Style
Bioengineering, Class of 2012
I am currently a rising sophomore majoring in Bioengineering. I am a member of Ruddock House. I am currently beginning my first research experience at Caltech through the SURF program. In addition, I am a pre-medical student, as I hope to one day go to medical school. Apart from school, I am involved with the Society of Women Engineers and this summer I am involved with the SURF Student Advisory Council. During the school year, I also tutor high school students through the RISE Tutoring program. I also love Indian dance and music, and have been involved in a few Indian cultural dances here at Caltech.
Dan Obenshain, SURFing and Surfing
Computer Science & English, Class of 2010
Daniel "Dano" Obenshain is a senior at Caltech. He is studying both Computer Science and English, since he likes to exercise both halves of his brain. His specialty is Distributed Systems. This summer, he's working on a research project in the Infospheres Lab, creating a distributed network of seismic sensors to detect earthquake activity. During his time here, Dano has been elected Dabney Vice President twice and has filled a myriad of roles in the Caltech student government. Recently he was elected senior class co-president (with fellow blogger Joules Gould). He enjoys yoga and swimming. In his free time, Dano loves to hang out in the Dabney hot tub and go surfing on weekends.
Sedona Price, SURFing at JPL
Physics, Class of 2011
Sedona will be a junior this coming fall. Outside of working hours, she is the Dabney House historian and runs cross country and track. Her other free time is spent hiking, watching movies, reading part of the book list backup, and planning to finish that mural one of these days.
Noah Rahman, PA 16: Cooking Basics
I am a senior at Caltech majoring in Chemistry, recently returned from colder climes at Cambridge University. I hail from the frozen tundra of Cleveland, Ohio, and as a result miss the snow sometimes in LA and try to get to Lake Tahoe and Mammoth when I can to ski. I used to run the quizbowl team for Caltech (who play a group of local Jeopardy winners every year for kicks) and still occasionally play with them, when I'm not indulging my sad addiction to all things political as a news and foreign affairs junkie with side hopes of being a diplomat one day.
Faith Shuker-Haines, Under the Palms
Mechanical Engineering, Class of 2011
Faith Shuker-Haines is a theater nerd at Caltech. She is also a sophomore, a mechanical engineer, and a member of Dabney house. She feels that if there were twenty-five or twenty-six hours in a day, she would be able to get everything she takes on done with ease. Also, she has a pet chinchilla named John Adams, a guinea pig named Tremy, and a gecko named McFly.
Nikki Thadane, Music
Class of 2012
Hey, I’m Nikki, a freshman in Ricketts house. I am currently majoring in Bioengineering, although I’m very likely to change my mind. I’m initially from Austin, Texas, where I was very involved in my school’s marching and concert band. Here, I play clarinet in the Caltech-Occidental Concert Band and a Caltech Chamber Music group, and I also play in the brand new Clarinet Choir. Besides academics and clarinet, I like listening to live music, being outside, and reading Michael Crichton novels. Hope you enjoy my blog!
Jordan Theriot, The Frosh Experience
Class of 2012
Welcome to The Frosh Experience! I’m Jordan, a freshman in Ricketts
House. I came to Caltech from a residential high school, the Louisiana
School, which I suppose makes me a little unusual. I’m here looking to
study chemistry, but being from New Orleans, I’m also really into
French language and culture. Here at Caltech, I’m part of ASCIT (our
student government), on the fencing team, and now also a blogger for
admissions.
It’s my goal to let you see Caltech through the eyes
of a student, but keep in mind that, as a freshman, it was not too long
ago that I was a prospective student too.
Christina Weng, Alternative Spring Break
Biology, Class of 2011
Born in China and raised in a small town in the North Carolina mountains, Christina was in for rather big change when she arrived at Caltech. Not only did she experience a gigantic culture shock coming to a school with such diversity, she was, for the first time in her life, immersed in a community where everyone shared a fiercely dedicated passion for math and science. She is currently a sophomore majoring in biology on the MD/PhD track and a member of Lloyd house. Her experience so far at this school has been a science geek’s dream: lectures by professors you could only read about before, working on cancer therapies in a research lab, and late nights with friends musing over beautiful and not so beautiful proofs on a giant whiteboard (sorry math purists, no blackboards in the houses). Despite having never set foot on the west coast until Frosh Registration day, she quickly felt at home here and, short of the lack of good fried okra, absolutely loves Pasadena.
Angela Zah, Pasadena!
Biology, Class of 2009
Angela is a senior from New Jersey studying Biology and English at Caltech. She has worked with the admissions office since freshman year as a tour guide and served on various committees. After spending the last two years on student government, as the ASCIT treasurer, she now spends her free time window shopping, taking advantage of her last parties at Caltech, enjoying the company of friends, and working to embody the saying "work hard, play hard." On weekends she can be found practicing down at the nearby archery range, a sport she picked up while studying abroad at the University of Edinburgh.
