2026 spring graduation spotlight

Congratulations graduates! We connected with some of our spring graduates who have recently defended or will soon to celebrate their accomplishments and talk about plans for the future.

What are your plans after graduation if you know them?
After graduation, I’ll be moving to Detroit to start a therapeutic medical physics residency at Henry Ford Hospital.

Do you have a favorite memory of your time here? A conference, a class, a trip to the Terrace?
My favorite memories include exploring the amazing nature throughout Madison with my fiancé and making friends with fellow lab members and classmates. I particularly enjoyed working on the health physics group project with students from the MRTUD group.

What did you like best about Madison? What are you going to miss?
I’ve loved the beautiful parks and variety of restaurants to try.

Any shoutouts?
I’m grateful for the invaluable time, effort, and patience put forth by Carri Glide-Hurst and Andrew Shepard while guiding me through my research. I also would like to shoutout my fellow lab members for all the advice they’ve given me while learning how to conduct meaningful research. And finally, for my fiancé’s endless support throughout this program. Without all of this help, as well as guidance from faculty and classmates, I would not have been able to make it to this point.

What are your plans after graduation, if you know them?
I am moving to Philadelphia for therapy residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

Do you have a favorite memory of your time here?
My favorite memory has to be practicing interstitial brachytherapy on a grapefruit in class. Unforgettable learning moment for me.

What did you like best about Madison? What are you going to miss?
I really liked the nature around here and being able to walk my dog through such beautiful neighborhoods, especially on a sunny afternoon when the daffodils and tulips are starting to bloom and you know that spring is finally here. I’m going to miss the wildlife. There is nothing like being stuck behind a line of turkeys slowly trotting across the road or being honked at by a sandhill crane.

Any shoutouts?
I have to shout out my advisor Dr. Paul Ellison for supporting me even when I completely messed up big experiments. He is truly one of the nicest professors here. I also have to shout out my lab members, both past and current, for helping me when I needed it and being awesome people to work with.

What are your plans after graduation if you know them?
I matched to residency this year so I will be starting residency at Novant Health in North Carolina

Do you have a favorite memory of your time here? A conference, a class, a trip to the Terrace?
One of my favorite memory is going to the AAPM conference in DC. I also have fond memories of hanging out with my friends.

What did you like best about Madison? What are you going to miss?
Somethings that I like about Madison is being able to enjoy the four seasons. I also appreciate how safe Madison feels compared to other cities. Lastly, there are a lot of things in Madison that I can do for free in Madison.

Any shoutouts?
Shoutout to all my friends!

What are your plans after graduation if you know them?
I’m heading to my therapeutic medical physics residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, MI, and then hopefully to my clinical medical physics job with certification.

Do you have a favorite memory of your time here? A conference, a class, a trip to the Terrace?
I have to say, jogging across the frozen lake this past winter with my friends and partner was an incredible experience! Simultaneously, seeing the cranes go past my office window is always a highlight.

What did you like best about Madison? What are you going to miss?
The best thing about Madison has been the friends I’ve made and the people I’ve gotten to know here. It sounds cheesy, but it’s true. I’m so grateful for the ability to go on walks, bike rides, run across the frozen lake, see the cranes, go to cute bookstores, and experience nature with my friends in this city. There’s a lot of cool things to do, and it’s been even better with cool people.

Any shoutouts?
Absolutely! Too many to count. I’d like to shoutout my entire graduating class and all the MedPhysKidz for sticking with me and doing everything we could for the program and ourselves with the Town Halls and just supporting each other. You guys have been amazing, and I’m excited to see where we all end up and connect next!

I’d also like to shoutout Laura, my co-representative who brought the Medical Physics Town Halls to life. You care so much about me and others, and I’m forever grateful.

I’m shouting out the admin crew for always answering my questions and doing as much as possible to alleviate our stressors. Thanks for advocating for us and doing so many thankless tasks. We see you, and we appreciate you.

Shoutout to my lab (QBIT and PET-imaging), labmates, and the Waisman Center crew! It’s been a blast learning MRI and PET with you all and bouncing ideas off each other. I’ll miss sharing an office space with you all, but I know you’re probably excited to have more space haha.

Finally, a huge shoutout to my dear friends, family, and my partner, Nick, who have been with me through thick and thin. I’ve had some of the toughest moments of my life here, and no matter what, they always stood by me and helped me keep going. I’m finishing graduate school, and it’s absolutely in part due to your support and love, so thank you. <3

What are your plans after graduation if you know them?
I will be starting an imaging medical physics residency at UTHealth McGovern Medical School.

Do you have a favorite memory of your time here? A conference, a class, a trip to the Terrace?
One of my favorite memories was attending my first conference, WTTC, where I gave my first oral presentation and had the opportunity to connect with others in the nuclear medicine research field. I also really enjoyed attending iSRS in Hawaii—it was my first time visiting Hawaii, and it was a very memorable experience.

What did you like best about Madison? What are you going to miss?
I really love the weather in Madison—it’s not too hot in the summer and cool in the winter. I’ll also miss how friendly people are here.

What are your plans after graduation if you know them?
After graduating, I’m going to start as resident of radiation therapy at the radiation oncology department at UW-Madison.

Do you have a favorite memory of your time here? A conference, a class, a trip to the Terrace?
My favorite time here has been spending time on the terrace on any summer Friday night. The view of the lake with a couple of drinks is relaxing.

What did you like best about Madison? What are you going to miss?
I’ll be staying for two more years, so I’ll have the opportunity to enjoy Madison a little longer. What I like the most is the view and walking trail alongside Lake Mendota. It gives me a feeling of calmness and tranquility.

Any shoutouts?
Huge thanks to Laura, without her this milestone would not be possible. Thank you to my family for their endless support, and love. Of course, thank you to the Cal Lab, especially to my advisor Dr. Culberson, for giving me the opportunity to do what I like the most: research.

What are your plans after graduation if you know them?
After graduating, I will start a Research Scientist position at MCW.

Do you have a favorite memory of your time here? A conference, a class, a trip to the Terrace?
My favorite memories from WIMR come from the people I met and the friends I made. Having friends to struggle, complain, and celebrate with has been my favorite part of these almost five years. I learned so many things, both academically and personally, and I am a stronger version of myself now.

What did you like best about Madison? What are you going to miss?
I loved the nature here, especially during the summer, and I will miss the lakes and the biking trails.

Any shoutouts?
I am grateful to so many people — my family, friends, cohort, lab members, and collaborators — for their support throughout this journey. I would especially like to thank my advisor, Reinier Hernandez, for the opportunity, his mentorship, and everything he has taught me.

What are your plans after graduation if you know them?
I will begin a Diagnostic Imaging Medical Physics residency at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) in July 2026, where I will continue my clinical training in medical imaging physics.

Do you have a favorite memory of your time here? A conference, a class, a trip to the Terrace?
My time at the University of Wisconsin–Madison has been one of the most important and transformative periods of my life. I developed many new skills and deepened my understanding of science, especially in my field. However, what stands out the most to me is the people. Madison became a place where I built strong and genuine connections, and some of those people are now among the closest and most important in my life.

What did you like best about Madison? What are you going to miss?
What I liked most about Madison was its calm and comfortable atmosphere. It’s a quiet city, but still full of life, with places like the farmers’ market and its many gardens. I will miss being close to Chicago, since it was always a great option for a quick weekend visit.

Any shoutouts?
I would like to give a heartfelt thank you to everyone in the Department of Medical Physics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, from the administrative staff to the professors, my PI, and all the lab members I had the chance to work with. It has truly been a great journey with all of them, and I am very grateful for their support and guidance.

What are your plans after graduation if you know them?
I will be starting a radiation therapy physics residency at Northwestern Memorial Hospital this July.

Do you have a favorite memory of your time here? A conference, a class, a trip to the Terrace?
My favorite memory was going to the 2023 annual meeting for the Society for Magnetic Resonance Angiography (SMRA) in Sendai, Japan. It was a great meeting and getting to visit Japan was awesome.

What did you like best about Madison? What are you going to miss?
Cheese curds. Cheese curds.

Any shoutouts?
Shoutout to the Wieben Lab. Objectively the coolest lab in the department (source: me).

What are your plans after graduation if you know them?
Therapeutic residency at the University of Pennsylvania

Do you have a favorite memory of your time here? A conference, a class, a trip to the Terrace?
The outreach events and being able to introduce people to the subject I’m passionate about.

What did you like best about Madison? What are you going to miss?
The changing seasons! Watching the trees turn vibrant colors in fall and seeing nature come back in spring. From southeast Texas, it was basically only summer and dead plants.

Any shoutouts?
Lisette & Laura for starting the townhalls and all the amazing student reps for everything they’ve done for the student body!

The wonderful admin staff who keeps the department running smoothly and help prepare fantastic events for us!

What are your plans after graduation if you know them?
I will be starting residency in Mayo Clinics Radiation Oncology Clinical Medical Physics Department.

Do you have a favorite memory of your time here? A conference, a class, a trip to the Terrace?
I have a lot of wonderful memories of the program and department. The picnics and holiday party’s are wonderful every year. Wandering through the old hospital doing a radiation survey and walking on a room in the water was interesting. Attending every available office hour in our first semester.

What did you like best about Madison? What are you going to miss?
The best part of Madison is the department. From the faculty to the admin to the students it really is just wonderful through and through. I am going to miss the department and the friends I made.

Any shoutouts?
Shoutout to the Admin staff I think their enthusiasm and dedication to the department really shows. To my lab members old and new as well, thanks for hanging around during my time at UW!

What are your plans after graduation if you know them?
I’ll be working in industry for a medical imaging software company as an applied scientist.

Do you have a favorite memory of your time here? A conference, a class, a trip to the Terrace?
I loved traveling to Singapore for ISMRM with my lab mates, Lucky Volety and Sheena Chu. We tried a number of adventurous regional dishes and absolutely soaked in the sights and smells of the local gardens and plant life. During out second year, I’ll never forget eating lunch with them at Barriques at the halfway point of our qualifying examination day. We were so stressed. Not exactly a favorite moment, but certainly a favorite memory.

What did you like best about Madison? What are you going to miss?
The winter of ’20/’21 kicked off my obsession with pond hockey. That first pondy experience with Sean Jollota and Karsten Wake was comically embarrassing, but pondy ultimately became the perfect outlet for me over the ensuing winters.

Nothing beats hitting the Memorial Union Terrace to celebrate a successful defense or unwind after a brutal week of research. There is no better place to talk science, philosophy, sailing, and Wisconsin culture. The Terrace has played host to many of my dearest moments and will remain one of the first places that comes to mind when I remember my time in Madison.

Any shoutouts?
In addition to my incredibly fun and supportive friends Lucky Volety and Sheena Chu, I would like to highlight former UW student Karsten Wake. We roomed together during several formative early years of the program, including through the covid era. He has become one of my closest friends, and perhaps the only person who appreciates just how challenging and demoralizing large swaths of those years were for both of us. I miss him a lot now that he has graduated, but I am glad to know he is enjoying his clinical residency at “the other UW”.

What are your plans after graduation if you know them?
I’ll be moving to Portland to start an imaging physics residency at Oregon Health & Science University.

Do you have a favorite memory of your time here? A conference, a class, a trip to the Terrace?
Going to ISMRM with my lab. It’s been a great opportunity to share my research, explore cool new places, and catch up with old friends.

What did you like best about Madison? What are you going to miss?
I’ll miss summer days at the Terrace, the farmer’s market, going to badger games, and all the incredible people I’ve gotten to know during my time here.

Any shoutouts?
Thanks to my advisors, Diego Hernando and Ali Pirasteh, for their guidance throughout the PhD. A special shout-out also goes to Sheena Chu and Aidan Tollefson. Thank you for all the fun memories, I wouldn’t have made it through grad school without you both!

What are your plans after graduation, if you know them?
After graduation, I will be starting an imaging medical physics residency at MD Anderson.

Do you have a favorite memory?
It’s hard to pick just one. Some highlights include having my first paper accepted and exploring different cities with labmates and friends during conferences.

What did you like best about Madison? What are you going to miss?
I love how beautiful Madison is in every season—the vibrant leaves in autumn, the sparkling snow in winter, the blooming flowers in spring, and the gentle breeze and shimmering lake in summer. I’ll also miss musicals at Overture, skating, and snowboarding. Most of all, though, I’m going to miss all the wonderful people I met here.

Any shoutouts?
Shoutout to everyone in the CT group for all the support, laughs, and memories along the way. Also to my friends for making Madison feel like home. And of course to my cat Kuromi, the sweetest cat in the world!