1 minute read
Student Spotlight
Owen Tower ’20 student spotlight
Ambitious physics scholar
Owen, who earned his bachelor’s degree in physics at UMassD, attributes faculty mentorship and internships with helping him segue into a PhD program at the University of Colorado, Boulder.
Owen Tower ’20 gravitated toward physics while in high school. “The problem-solving nature of physics really captivated me, and I knew that pursuing it in college would open up many doors further down the road,” says Owen who immediately matriculated in the physics PhD program at the University of Colorado Boulder after graduating last year. He believes many of the issues in the world today could be solved or improved by the application of physics. “For example, advances in nanotechnology could lead to improved energy storage and more precise measurements. And this could lead to fewer carbon emissions and thus could improve our efforts in the battle against climate change.”
As a physics major at UMass Dartmouth, Owen gained a deeper understanding of how computer science and physics shape our world. Faculty-guided research projects exposed him to applied and computational mathematics and theoretical physics. He was also introduced to parallel computing, the various branches of mathematics, and theoretical atomic physics. “I learned to solve research problems independently and pose relevant questions while conducting research,” he said.
Overall, Owen attributes collegiality and working directly with faculty advisors to his success as a student. “I developed professional relationships with my advisors and they respected me as a colleague.” He also says his experiences at UMassD led to his decision to enroll in the University of Colorado Boulder. What are his plans after he earns his doctorate? “My desired career is either a research scientist or engineer, where I can use the skills and knowledge I’ve accumulated to help make a positive impact,” Owen says. I developed professional relationships with my advisors and they respected me as a colleague.”
