Where are you from?
Victoria, Minnesota—a small suburb southwest of the Twin Cities.
Was there a specific moment or person that inspired you to pursue a graduate degree in engineering?
Dr. Patrick MacNamara at Marquette University sparked my passion for water quality research. Through his mentorship, I gained confidence and discovered how graduate study could help me tackle critical environmental challenges.
What drew you to the University of Iowa?
Iowa stood out for its impactful research opportunities—especially within the LeFevre Group—as well as its strong emphasis on communication, collaboration, and interdisciplinary thinking.
What makes the University of Iowa a good fit for you?
With guidance from my advisor, Greg LeFevre, I have been encouraged to explore my interests and grow as a researcher. Combined with a supportive graduate student community, Iowa has been an ideal environment for both academic and personal development.
What accomplishment are you most proud of during your time at Iowa?
I’m proud of establishing a stormwater sampling network in Coralville in partnership with the city’s Stormwater Coordinator. Working together with the city to select sites and plan out how we can use the existing infrastructure in the city to support research has been an extremely satisfying and rewarding accomplishment. This project highlights how research can directly support and improve local infrastructure.
What do you like most about living in Iowa City?
I love the abundance of parks and bike trails—it’s a great place to stay active and enjoy the outdoors.
What are your plans after graduation?
I plan to work in consulting as a practicing engineer, applying my research to solve real-world water quality challenges.
To someone considering enrolling in the engineering graduate program at Iowa, what would you tell them about your experience?
Iowa offers outstanding research opportunities, strong faculty support, and a collaborative environment that helps you develop critical skills and make meaningful impacts beyond the lab.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself:
I enjoy cross-country skiing and travel to northern Wisconsin each year to participate in the Birkebeiner event.
