Lucas Brady wins a Goldwater Scholarship

Awarded to outstanding students pursuing careers in science, mathematics or engineering, the scholarship will provide up to $7,500 to help cover costs such as tuition, fees, books, and room and board.

Brady, a physics major, plans to earn a doctorate in theoretical physics and is considering becoming a professor at a small, undergraduate school. Interviewed by Judy Augsberger, he said, ‚ÄúI don’t know what field of physics I want to focus on, although quantum theory, high energy physics, string theory and numerous similar disciplines are possible.‚Äù

During his sophomore year, Brady worked in physics Professor Thomas Donnelly’s lab, studying the properties of Mie-scale particles for potential applications in small-scale, laser-driven fusion. He traveled last summer to Virginia to work in the theory wing at Jefferson National Lab, a particle accelerator facility. This year, he did theoretical and computational work in quantum information as part of the research group led by Theresa Lynn, associate professor of physics. Brady also serves as a physics tutor for HMC’s Academic Excellence program and has assisted at the last two Winter Physics Workshops.