Ron Malone
Undergraduate Institution: Gettysburg College
Current Position: 5th Year Graduate Student
What are you currently doing?
I am a graduate student studying experimental nuclear physics at Duke University and the Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory.
How did participating in the TUNL REU Program influence your career path?
My time in TUNL confirmed to me that I enjoyed research and should pursue a PhD in nuclear physics. I also learned that I prefer smaller experiments and research groups like those at TUNL as compared to large collaborations like those at CERN. I liked the research and people so much that I ended up enrolling at Duke!
What is one of your favorite memories from the REU program?
I participated in the CERN program. The four of us that traveled to Geneva were fortunate enough to be in the auditorium when ATLAS announced the discovery of a Higgs-like particle! It was pretty exciting.
Do you have any advice for undergraduates thinking about a research career?
Definitely conduct research during at least one summer in college. Whether it is at your home institution or an REU or similar program, it is an invaluable experience. You will learn skills useful for future research and other careers. You may discover an interest that you wish to pursue in graduate school. It will connect you with researchers in physics as well as peers with similar interests. A summer of research is time well spent.