In order to understand the physical world further, I enrolled in both physics and
mathematics programs. Even with the strong theoretical emphasis in my curriculum
choice, I still find physically touching, seeing and manipulating things among the best
ways to understand them I enjoy doing lab works in physics, and I have worked in a
machine shop, sculpture studio, art museum, and taxidermy studio. However, the
elegance, simplicity, and power of theory are even more appealing to me as a scientist.
As I acquire more and more background in mathematics. I realize what a powerful
language and metaphor it is to science. I enjoy engaging myself in philosophical
arguments about the nature of mathematics and physics with my physics and astronomy
professor Dr. Robert Harmon and my best friend in college who is a neuroscience student.
My research project last summer was on an eclipsing binary star system, LV
Hercules, which has high orbit eccentricity. From the beginning of the project, I was very
enthusiastic about teaching myself observational astronomy from scratch. The project
was sponsored by the Arkansas Center for Space & Planetary Sciences at the University
of Arkansas, a new research center consisting of mechanical engineers, chemical
engineers, astronomers, biologists and cosmologists. I enjoyed the interdisciplinary group
dynamics during weekly seminars, while at the same time working m the physics research building, where I could talk to other physicists about their work on material
science, numeric and computation, or quantum optics.
During the process of learning about the universe — seeing, touching,
experimenting, thinking, and researching—I also have learned about myself I find the
only way I can learn anything meaningful is to ask "why." which is the central thread of
any inquiry — experimental, theoretical, philosophical or intellectual. I always ay to find
the boundary to the chain of knowledge or reasoning. For example, in the world of
astrophysics. I find the jets from black holes and pulsars interesting; I find cosmic
background radiation interesting. and I find the origin of universe intriguing, since we do
not know how these phenomena have come into being.
My liberal art education also has provided me inspiration and reflection on
science education. Having found that college science outreach consists almost entirely of
cool demonstrations of scientific phenomenon, I tried to create another area of interest in
science and scientific thinking, by demonstrating the power of reasoning, logic and
critical thinking. That was the main objective when I gathered students and faculty
members and created the Freethinkers Club on campus last fall. We discussed the
teaching of the theory of evolution m public schools, and pseudoscientific influence in
public policy making. We tripled the size of our mailing list after just one semester.
The liberal arts approach gives me opportunities to explore all these different
experiences and ways of learning. I want to continue exploring the beauty and elegance
of our universe in my life, my studies, and my career. For me, seeking out and
understanding such mysteries—large and small—is like discovering and collecting jewels,
or something even more elegant, like the tiny gears of a mechanical clock.
