From the class of '14, meet a few of our new alums

Noel Bartlow

Degree: PhD, Geophysics (autumn 2013)
Advisor: Paul Segall

What's next

Postdoctoral fellowship at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego, investigating transient and seasonal signals in GPS data, and raising baby Caitlin together with my husband Grant.

Favorite location on campus

The Mitchell building, but the Stanford ceramics studio is a close second!  Throwing clay on the pottery wheel kept me happy while writing my thesis.

Advice for incoming students

Take advantage of Stanford's world class recreational facilities. I wish I had discovered the ceramics studio earlier.  Another good find is the Stanford climbing wall. Take advantage of these and similar things on campus early and often.

Jingyi Chen

Degree: PhD., Geophysics
Advisor : Howard Zebker

What’s next for you

Postdoctoral research in Rosemary Knight's research group at Stanford

Favorite location on campus

Main Quad

Advice for incoming students

Take your time to explore the bay area: the beautiful cities and many many awesome hiking trails.

Heather K. Felix

Degree: M.S., Energy Resources Engineering
Advisor: Roland Horne

What’s next

I am currently a MAP Sustainable Energy Fellow at the United Nations Foundation in Washington, D.C., working on International Energy Efficiency. In August, I will start my MBA at Yale School of Management. 

Favorite Stanford experience

My favorite Stanford memory was the 2013 Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. I drove down on New Years Eve with three other close Stanford friends. We met up with many others and had a blast cheering for Stanford, and then (of course) winning! We all went out to dinner to celebrate, then took turns driving back to Palo Alto. The long conversations about life, family, experiences, jokes and more, on the five hour return trip, was equally memorable. We all will be friends for life. :)

Favorite location on campus

Everywhere!? I gave up biking on campus when I didn't have back-to-back classes. I found it incredibly peaceful and enjoyable to take the time to walk the Stanford campus. Otherwise, Starbucks, because I'm addicted to coffee. 

Advice for incoming students

Take a break. Don't stress. It kills.  Focus and work hard as you've always done, however, try not to get caught up in the rat race. You already are successful. You will always be successful. Don't ever let a bad day or a frustrating coding program get to you. Family, friends, and life are more important. Get away from the Farm and the Stanford bubble on a regular basis. Remember that Stanford, school, homework, and projects aren't everything. Also, eat healthy, exercise, and get sleep. You won't listen, but the more people tell you, perhaps one day it will stick.

Robert Firme

Degree: B.S., Earth Systems
Advisor: Lynn Hildemann

What’s next

I will be doing a MAP Sustainable Energy Fellowship with the World Resources Institute in Washington, D.C. For the summer, I'll be working as a geospatial analyst, and I'll be presenting my research at the World Water Week Conference in Stockholm, Sweden in September. I will also be returning to Stanford in the fall to complete my coterminal degree in Civil & Environmental Engineering. 

Favorite Stanford experience

My favorite Stanford experience was my Sophomore College trip to Tanzania, during the summer after my freshman year. I absolutely loved exploring the nexus between conservation, sustainability and human rights. In large part, this experience inspired me to major in Earth Systems, and to pursue a career in the environmental field. What made the trip most meaningful for me, however, was the opportunity to forge many meaningful friendships with other fellow students, professor, and alumni.

Favorite location on campus

My favorite location on campus is definitely Y2E2 (the Yang and Yamazaki Environment & Energy Building ). I've spent essentially my entire Stanford career in that building, as both a student and as a staff member in the Earth Systems program. I've met, befriended, and worked with some of the smartest, kindest and inspiring people in that building.  Needless to say, a lot of memories -- of endless study nights, work days and friendly shenanigans -- were made there. As weird as it sounds, it really was my Stanford safe-haven. 

Advice for incoming students

Learn to build a time machine so you can go back to your freshman year, because the real world is scary, and you will never want to leave Stanford! But in all seriousness, your first year at Stanford may feel awkward, scary, and blissful all at the same time. Don't be afraid! Take risks and try new things; take these experiences to truly understand your interests and your own personal identity. College is as much about developing your academic interests as it is finding your character. Meet faculty.  The best advice I've ever received in college was from having genuine conversations with my professors. Make mistakes (and learn from them); the only mistake you can make in college is to not make any mistakes at all!

Hari Mix

Degree: PhD, Environmental Earth System Science
Advisor: Page Chamberlain

What's next

Accepted a faculty appointment at Santa Clara University as Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies and Sciences

Best memory

Teaching Earth system history in the Wind Rivers, Tetons and Yellowstone on each September’s Sophomore College in the Rocky Mountains.

Favorite location

I love the nooks and crannies of campus…my current walk of choice takes me by the Cantor Art Museum and the cactus garden on some trails through the arboretum.

Advice for incoming students

Talk to peers and faculty outside your field. The breadth of knowledge at Stanford is incredible and the value of these conversations can go a long way.

Paul Summers

Degree: M.S., Geophysics
Advisor: Eric Dunham

What’s next

Working for Dropbox Inc. in San Francisco 

Favorite location on campus

Lake Lag, even if it's not a real lake.

Advice for incoming students

Don't be in a hurry, enjoy your time here while you have it!

Miles Traer

Degree: PhD, Geological and Environmental Sciences
Advisor: George Hilley

What’s next

I am currently working as multimedia producer for Stanford's School of Earth Sciences.  Using my scientific background, I get to tell multimedia stories about all of the awe-inspiring and mind-bending research going on in the Earth sciences.

Favorite Stanford experience

My favorite Stanford experience was co-creating and co-running the Generation Anthopocene podcast with my friend and colleague Michael Osborne.  For the podcast, we were able to speak with many Stanford faculty about a range of Earth science topics and build connections with faculty at other leading universities.  The interviews allowed us better insight into the diversity of research topics on the Stanford campus and helped expand my own approach to research by considering approaches taken by our interviewees.

Advice for incoming students

I have to split this into advice for undergraduates and advice for graduate students.

Undergrads

For any incoming undergrads, I would recommend taking classes outside of your comfort zone.  Exposing myself to as many different fields as possible helped me approach my scientific research from many different angles and helped articulate my research for broader audiences.  And getting involved with different campus communities helped stabilize my academic life and reminded me that academics were just a part of the entire university experience.

Graduate Students

My advice to incoming graduate students is to get involved in or create a project that isn't directly related to your research.  Research is a big reason I came to the graduate program, but it was through other projects that I honed my skills as a public speaker, refined my approach to science communication, and maintained a needed counter-weight to the PhD process.  My closest friendships and some of my most rewarding relationships came from projects that weren't directly tied to my research, and to this day I continue to be blown away by the stuff my friends are passionate about and want to share with the world.  Your time as a graduate student is one of the few times when exploring other fields of interest and expanding your academic network are possible and actively encouraged.  Take advantage of that time!

Steven Vogel

Degree: MS Petroleum Engineering
Advisor: Hamdi Tchelepi

What’s next

I will be a Reservoir Engineer for Chevron based in Houston, Texas, supporting oil and gas fields in West Africa.

Favorite Stanford experience

I made so many good friends from all over the world while I was at Stanford, and friendly discussions and conversations in the office or at lunch quickly became something I would look forward to every day because everyone at the table would have such a different background and perspective. Also, Geosnow was a ton of fun both years I went. 

Favorite location on campus

Top of Hoover tower/Bender Room in Green Library/Rains apartments 

Advice for incoming students

Take the time to get to know your classmates and department-mates well, it's amazing how much you can learn from the incredible student body at Stanford, and having the support of your peers can make all the difference in classes, research and life while you're there and afterwards.

Lin Zuo

Degrees: MS & PhD
Advisor:  Sally Benson

What’s next?

Chevron, Richmond Technology Center

Favorite Stanford experience

Solving the most important problem and having fun doing it

Favorite location on campus

Stanford Golf Course

Advice for incoming students

Enjoy the Farm