WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Updates from Seniors Profiled in the Past
’02 JAMES GARDNER American University in Washington, D.C., 2006, double major in Political Science and Broadcast Journalism Levin College of Law, University of Florida, 2009 New York State Bar, 2010 Lives in Buffalo, New York Assistant district attorney for Erie County Co-founded BuffaloReformED, a nonprofit organization dedicated to public education reform Serves on the organization’s Advisory Board Highlights from the past few years: “Running the Bay State Half Marathon in Lowell, Massachusetts, with fellow Loomis Alum Will Morgan ’02 [and] buying and renovating my own home without having it collapse”
Sits on advisory board of a nonprofit organization, the Child Center of New York Significant moments: “I met my husband in New York City in 2009, and we got married on May 14, 2010. Two days later, I graduated from Columbia University! … On June 8, 2012, I will be attending the Commencement ceremony at LC. Commencement speaker William Bissell ’84 is a close family friend, who introduced me to Loomis when I was living in India. … I am still in touch with some of my Loomis friends, and it is so wonderful to have that bond, especially with Rushell Pieters ’02.” Future plans: “I cannot wait to meet my first baby due in December 2012. In 10 years, I hope to be a wonderful mother and wife, pursuing my career and running my own organization, helping people change their lives and feeling empowered every day. I also hope to travel across the world and live in a brand new country!”
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’02 MITALI KHERA George Washington University, 2006, B.A., Psychology Columbia University, 2010, Master of Social Work Lives in New York City Licensed Master Social Worker Worked as a social work supervisor at Jewish Association Serving the Aged, JASA
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JACQUELINE O’CONNOR Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2006, B.S., Aeronautics Georgia Tech, 2011, M.S. and Ph.D., Aerospace Engineering, studying combustion Met my partner, Alex Pace, also a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering at Georgia Tech, now working for SpaceX in Hawthorne, California Lives in Pleasanton, California, as a post-doc at Sandia National Labs in Livermore, California, right
outside of San Francisco, doing experimental flame research in the Engine Combustion Department on an optical research diesel engine Next step: “I will officially be Professor O’Connor starting August 2013 in the Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering at Pennsylvania State University. … I’ll spend about half my time doing research and another part teaching classes in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and combustion. I’m really excited, but also really nervous. It’s recently just hit me that I’ll have to stand in front of classes of up to 100 students and get them excited about introductory thermodynamics. … I hope to do research in nonlinear combustion phenomena, fluid mechanic instability, and supercritical fluids, all with applications to engine technology (jet engines, power generation gas turbines, and piston engines).” Some important moments: “Exploring national parks with Alex. … We’ve been to over a dozen parks and seen some of the most beautiful places the world has to offer. … Participating in “Design/ Build/Fly” at MIT. My senior year at MIT our senior design project was part of a national competition hosted by the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics) where a mission is specified and students have to design and build a remote-controlled aircraft to complete the mission. … Mentoring undergraduates. …” Future plans: “So, in 10 years, I hope to be a tenured professor making strides in clean engine technology and making a difference in the life of college students. I look forward to many more camping trips, travel to fun places for work (just this summer I’m going to Denmark and India for conferences), and hopefully a few trips back to the Island!”
’03 LAURA CROOK Tufts University, 2007, double major in Child Development and Spanish Boston University, 2008, M.A., Elementary Education Lives in Newington, Connecticut Works as first-grade teacher, South Windsor Other interest: Running Highlights from the past few years: “I became a teacher, got engaged in Cinderella’s castle in Disney World, and ran the Hartford Marathon.” Future plans: “I will continue teaching and would love to start a family. I’ll probably also go back to school!”
’03 DAVID LINZ Tufts University, 2007, Biological Sciences Tufts University School of Medicine, 2011, M.D. Resident, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Internal Medicine Lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Significant moments: “Since graduating, I have shared many significant milestones with Loomis classmates. I attended Tufts
as an undergraduate with at least five of my graduating classmates; Michael Bogino ’03 was best man at my wedding in 2010; I graduated from medical school with Chris Judson and Nupur Jhawar ’02; and I currently train with Mina Owlia ’00 who is a year ahead of me in my Internal Medicine program and who will become chief resident next year.” Future plans: “I plan to graduate from residency and pursue a career in General Internal Medicine as a primary care physician.”
’03 SARAH NAPIER Johns Hopkins University, 2007, double major in Writing Seminars and Film & Media Studies Lives in New York City Works at Condé Nast Entertainment (new division of Condé Nast) as the coordinator, Entertainment Highlights from the past few years: “Moving across the country from New York City to Los Angeles to work in Scripted Television (my dream) was a highlight for me. Then, of course, being offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work for my idol back in New York City was equally significant. I loved having had the chance to work and live in California, but [I] was glad to return to the East Coast and work for someone I had admired for years.” Future plans: “I’m still figuring out my goals for the next 5–10 years. I may decide to do grad school, to become a professor, as