Andrew Scherer

Biography

I will be entering my senior year at Cleveland State University this fall, in pursuit of a double major in physics and environmental science, alongside a minor in mathematics. I have spent over two years working on understanding polymeric microgels through the use of laser light scattering and am excited to begin my research career in environmental physics this summer at the California State University, Monterey Bay, REU program, to which I was recently accepted. My work with SPS began almost as soon as my physics career began when, at my very first SPS meeting, I approached the faculty advisor seeking a place within the organization. Since then I have worked as both a treasurer and now president of the Cleveland State chapter of SPS, organizing events such as the egg drop at the Physics Olympics or outreach events at a local elementary school. SPS also enabled me to travel to a truly formative experience at PhysCon 2019, attending talks such as Dr. Bill Phillip's (on which a successful Marsh White Award application was based) and visiting Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (which informed my future decision to study environmental physics). My future goals include pursuing a PhD in environmental physics and continuing the science outreach - especially among kids - that my involvement in SPS has taught me so much about. My hobbies outside of physics and outreach are all about the outdoors, as I am an avid rock climber, snowboarder, and alpinist. I dream one day for my studies and hobbies to mix as an experimental environmental physicist!