Chase Goddard: ‘My research experiences at Cornell have driven me to pursue a Ph.D.’

Chase Goddard

Physics & Computer Science

Rye, NY

Why did you choose Cornell?

Cornell's legacy as an outstanding research institution was the driving factor behind my choice. The idea that I could get involved in and meaningfully contribute to cutting-edge research as an undergraduate was motivational to me, and my research experiences at Cornell have driven me to pursue a Ph.D. in physics.

What are the most valuable skills you gained from your Arts & Sciences education?

The most valuable skill I've learned at Cornell is persistence. Cornell is challenging, but drives you to work hard towards your goals, and to persevere through obstacles that may arise.

What have you accomplished as a Cornell student that you are most proud of, either inside the classroom or otherwise?

I'm most proud of the fact that I've been able to become involved in cutting-edge physics research. For example, with Professor Julia Thom-Levy's group, I have worked on the CMS detector at CERN, which investigates the properties of the fundamental particles that make up the universe. I am lucky to have been able to contribute to upgrades to the detector, as well as to perform analyses aiming to measure unobserved physical phenomena, working both at Cornell and at CERN. Working on such projects enabled me to utilize skills learned in both my physics and computer science classes, as well as develop new skills.