Congratulations 2024 winter graduates! We recently caught up with a few of our 2024 winter graduates to celebrate their accomplishments and talk about plans for the future. We asked them these questions –
- What are your plans after graduation if you know them?
- Do you have a favorite memory?
- What did you like best about Madison? What are you going to miss?
- Any shoutouts?
Kendall Barrett
1. What are your plans after graduation if you know them?
After graduation I plan on taking a little time off to relax and travel and then come back to UW-Madison to start a post doc research position with Dr. Sandip Biswal.
2. Do you have a favorite memory?
One of my favorite memories from my time as a student here was watching a radiotracer I developed go from production and purification all the way to the clinic for human studies.
3.What did you like best about Madison? What are you going to miss?
I love the community in Madison, and I am thrilled to be sticking around after graduation.
4. Any shoutouts?
I want to give a shout out to the Cyclotron Gang! The group has been like a second family to me and have supported me so much over the years, starting in 2017 when I began research as an undergrad and continued to do so through to the end of my PhD. I also want to thank Dr. Sandip Biswal and Dr. Ali Pirasteh for all of the help they have provided throughout my thesis work.
Sean Jollota
1.What are your plans after graduation if you know them?
My wife and I are expecting our second child this winter, so the plan is to relax and spend some quality family time after graduation. I’ll also be staying at UW for a postdoc position in the meantime.
2. Do you have a favorite memory?
Attending my first Annual Meeting for AAPM back in 2022 was a highlight. I met many fascinating people and had a great time closing down the Rocket Bar with the many people I met.
3. What did you like best about Madison? What are you going to miss?
I’ve really enjoyed Madison’s winters and all the activities that come with them, especially those I can do with my family. Luckily, I’ll be staying in Madison after graduation, so I don’t have to miss much.
4. Any shoutouts?
First, a big shoutout to my family (Emily and Luke). I’d also like to recognize the Cal Lab (Larry DeWerd and Wes Culberson), the Rad Lab (Bryan Bednarz and Ohyun Kwon), and my NIST collaborators and mentors (Denis Bergeron and Radioactivity Group).
Aeli Olson
1. What are your plans after graduation if you know them?
Post graduation, I’m moving to Rochester, MN for a postdoc position in radiopharmaceutical development at Mayo Clinic!
2. Do you have a favorite memory?
I have so many fond memories related to time spent in my lab and with my lab mates! Chatting and laughing with lab mates when we’re all having to stay late running experiments, cyclotron gang parties and potlucks, and traveling for conferences, just to name a few.
3. What did you like best about Madison? What are you going to miss?
In Madison, I have liked the people and city size the best. It is large enough that there is a lot of variety and access to unique experiences; however, it is small enough that everything is accessible, and it is easy to get around. I have met many incredible people during my time in graduate school, some have moved away, but many are staying here long term. I cannot wait to come back to visit. I will dearly miss my lab and lab mates.
4. Any shoutouts?
The entire cyclotron gang! I have received unparalleled mentorship and support from my advisor, cyclotron staff scientists, dissertation committee members, and fellow cyclotron grad students. I am the scientist that I am because of the attentive, patient, thorough, inventive, and detailed training that I’ve received being a member of the cyclotron group. I am incredibly thankful for all of the time, energy, and attention they have invested into me.