The Ohio State University

Greg Kestin
Class of 2008
Majors: Physics and Mathematics

Although some of the professors he asked didn't have a spot available, Greg Kestin kept looking and eventually found an opening to the world of physics research. "I e-mailed many professors whose work was of interest to me, one of whom was my former professor for physics H132, Dr. Ulrich Heinz," he says. "I began working with Dr. Heinz in autumn 2004, and I continue to enjoy this work."

Kestin, who is a member of the Honors Collegium, does theoretical nuclear physics. His project is to corroborate the Quark-Gluon Plasma-Hadron Phase transition produced in ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions at accelerators such as the Relativistic Heavy-ion Collider.

"I like that I am able to combine my knowledge and creativity while trying to learn about physical phenomena," he explains. "I believe that I will have more opportunities because of my experience."

Before he started working on research, Kestin says he was interested in theory, but he didn't know which area of theory. He wishes he knew more about computer programming before he got involved with research and he has some simple advice for students interested in doing research as an undergraduate: "Just try it!"

 

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