During my formative years, I pondered the reasons for my existence as many
who endure the throes of puberty often do. I recall lying upon our lawn gazing
up at the stars, wondering why they were there. As I entered college, I began
to realize the answers to those questions. The conclusions I have reached, while
ever evolving, have always pointed to The One who put it all here.
This is what has led me to study physics: an overwhelming hunger to
understand the structure and workings of the physical universe coupled with
the spiritual desire to come to know the Creator by marveling at the beauty and
complexity of GOD's creations. I am constantly in a State of Wonder as I learn
more about the terrestrial and celestial tapestry which the pursuit of physics
has taught us. I feel that every breath I take, every thought I think, is a
further testament to GOD's Glory.
When people ask me why I study physics, I cannot truly convey the
profoundly spiritual nature which this intellectual exercise instills in me. I
have come to believe that this is the purpose for which GOD has created me: to
contribute to this vast body of knowledge in a way that no one else upon this
wonderfully beautiful, unimaginably fragile world can.
The events of my life thus far have reinforced this belief. The fact that
I am in graduate school at all after achieving a less-than-stellar undergraduate
academic record is amazing. The chance to pursue research at Cornell University
is equally astounding. I cannot divorce my intellectual pursuit from the praise
of The One who gave me both the faculties and the opportunities with which to pursue
this profession. My discipline is High Energy Physics, where we observe
the fundamental interactions of matter and energy. While the practical benefits
of such research may seem negligible, I believe it is its pursuit which will open
the doors to a more profound understanding of how the machinery of this universe
works.
A century ago, a British official questioned the usefulness of generating
electrical currents from magnetic fields, and vice versa . Physicist Michael Faraday's response
to his comment reportedly was, "I have no idea, but a hundred years from
now you'll probably tax it!". Now our society is inextricably linked
together in a global electromagnetic communications network, the direct product
of what was a laboratory curiosity a century ago. I believe that the work which
we are pursuing now will pave the way for the next generation of society in
ways we can barely begin to imagine. As these new and wondrous uses of science
and technology come into focus, the need for a moral basis of their applications
to society will become even more critical. I believe that I can help to direct
the efforts of this research into frontiers that are beneficial, not destructive.
This is part of what I wish to accomplish as a career scientist.
The propagation of knowledge has become an important part of my life, also.
Many of my electives in college related to the Histories of Science, Mathematics
and Philosophy. I have functioned as both a Teaching Assistant and also as a
departmentally-approved Private Tutor. The satisfaction I achieve by helping
someone to understand what can be a very difficult subject is very rewarding.
I have also been told that I do it fairly well. I hope that I may obtain such
an academic position that can balance these aspects of my profession:
Research, Stewardship, and Teaching.
Thank You