Recent physics and astronomy alumni are completing advanced degrees at institutions that include Cornell University, Stanford University, Columbia University, California State University, UCLA, USC, and Boston University. Graduates who enter the professional arena have taken jobs in teaching, biotechnology, software contracting, consulting companies, and engineering.
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Chris has helped discover several potentially habitable planets, alongside international teams of fellow astronomers. From his vantage point in Silia, Chile, Chris most recently helped find Proxima b, a planet that might support human life that’s orbiting the star nearest our own. While at Whittier, he built a solid foundation for his future discoveries by researching quasars—massive celestial bodies—alongside his professor Glenn Piner.
“The great thing is that the professors make sure to put an emphasis on fundamentally understanding concepts," Chris said. "This helped me so much more than if we’d looked at problems just through rote learning.”
Coming from Bulgaria on a full scholarship, Kalina loved every moment of her Whittier experience. She stargazed in a national park, studied the challenging mechanics of the universe, and took part in research projects that prepared her for her amazing career. She’s worked on NASA’s Phoenix Mars Lander and now investigates the Earth’s oceans with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
“My professors were the most devoted and inspiring teachers I have ever had, and I still keep in touch with most of them. They challenged all of us, and they created opportunities to become part of the scientific community and to participate in research projects that helped build expertise for our future careers,” Kalina said.
Dipesh has been enthralled by physics—how it explains the world around us—ever since eighth grade. At Whittier, his passion led him to helping find one of the fastest moving objects in the universe. Now the proud owner of two master’s degrees, Dipesh improves the performance of LED devices for worldwide manufacturer Cree Inc.
“Whittier gave me sound knowledge on different academic disciplines, as well as made me a good physicist,” Dipesh said.
