As a student at Reed College, I never imagined that my career would involve leading a team of engineers designing scanning electron and focused ion beam microscope systems.  I mentor early career engineers, utilizing statistical analysis and mathematical modeling to design, build and verify that the system will consistently meet the expectations of our customers.

My academic performance at Reed started with some difficulty.  I lacked academic maturity and direction with career goals.  Being surrounded by gifted students and professors was an impressive experience that I value, but I struggled to meet the rigorous standards that is the basis of an education at Reed.  Success came later when I found work that was interesting to me, motivating me to find an effective style of learning, allowing me to apply creativity within the rigid world of engineering. I have had the opportunity to apply Fourier Analysis from my senior thesis to study the impact of environmental noise and vibration on the quality of microscope imaging.  I applied the J-Lab lesson on feedback control to projects at work and my rocketry hobby.  I’ve learned how to accept challenges, value a rigorous approach to problem solving, and use passion about technology to achieve more than I thought possible.  This is my story of how Reed influenced my career as an engineer.