Prospectors

Why Montana Tech: I chose Montana Tech because it’s close to home with a small campus that allows me to experience amazing opportunities.

Research interests: I have worked on multiple research projects during my time at Tech with the most prominent research experience being the characterization of the shortest two protein segments of Colorado Tick Fever Virus.

What I think makes Butte special: The great community, history, and location. Being a lover of everything outdoors Butte is ideal for a variety of outdoor activities such as being close to great hiking and skiing!

Involvement on campus: Along with being a full-time student, I also hold officer positions in the Chemistry, Biology, and Pre-Professional Health Clubs.

Hardest class I have taken: Organic Chemistry.

Favorite class at Tech: It’s a toss-up between Advanced Biochemistry II, Virology, and Anatomy and Physiology Lab. I thoroughly enjoyed Advanced Biochemistry II because this class goes into the details of all the metabolic processes in the body. Virology is one of my favorites as I was educated on all the different families of viruses and how different they are from one another. Anatomy and Physiology Lab was very interesting due to interaction with a cadaver and being able to identify body structures on an actual human body. 

Favorite event at Tech: The Copper Game. Practically every student at Montana Tech attends this game, and there is a huge tailgate held right next to the field. The Copper Game is the pinnacle of social events at Montana Tech. 

Why Montana Tech: I was born and raised in the small town of Butte, MT, so I am biased towards the “small town” feeling. Montana Tech is a relatively small university, and, because of this, I have closer relations with both my peers and my professors. The relationships I have created over my few years at Montana Tech are ones I will cherish forever. 

Weirdest study/classroom ritual I have: For every test and quiz, I have used one of three pencils my entire time at Montana Tech (0.9mm lead, I write very aggressively). 

Research interests: I am currently part of both the Graff and Kuenzi Lab, both of which are interested in viruses. The Graff Lab’s focus is on TRIM and RING-UIM proteins. These families of proteins are synthesized upon infection of a virus. The Kuenzi Lab is focused on Sin Nombre virus, a hantavirus that is commonly transmitted to humans through deer mice. We study Sin Nombre virus by taking live blood samples from mice and subjecting the samples to antibodies that will recognize hantavirus antigens. Outside of these two labs, my research interest is on Alzheimer’s disease and the buildup of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in this disease. 

Three celebrities I would invite to a dinner party: Jesus Christ, Andy Frisella, and Marcus Aurelius. It would be an honor to eat with all of them!

In 5 years, I hope to be: On a beach watching a gorgeous sunrise while enjoying a mango.

Favorite spot on campus: The Mill coffee shop! It’s always my first stop each day.

Favorite time of year, at Tech: It’s a joyous and eventful time, fresh with new beginnings.

One thing I cannot go a day without: A workout!

Research interests: Aerospace manufacturing

Favorite spot on campus: The Commons area down at our South Campus (Highlands College)

Plan after Tech: Work for NASA

A MUST that I carry in my backpack: Headphones and keys

Hardest class I have taken: It’s a toss-up between precision measurement and manual lathe manufacturing

Favorite place to grab food off campus: The Soho on Broadway. I LOVE their steamed buns!

Favorite spot on campus: The Mill. I love grabbing a coffee in the morning and studying there

Plans after Tech: Dental school

One thing I cannot go a day without: Chapstick or lip balm

Involvement on campus: I am an officer for our Chemistry, Preprofessional Health, and Biology Clubs. I am active in intramural activities. I also work as a teacher’s assistant in the A&P labs.

In 5 years I hope to be: Finishing dental school and either beginning a residency program to specialize or return to Montana to practice general dentistry

Hardest class I have taken: Organic Chemistry. Next semester, my hardest class will probably be Advanced Cellular and Molecular Biology.

Plans after Tech: Work in industry after graduating with my master's in material science. I am interested in working for a company that focuses on the development or processing of different materials. I am most interested in larger-scale manufacturing operations.  I don’t know where I want to end up living, however, I do know I want to go to a place I have never been before and to experience a different part of the country or a different part of the world.

Hardest class I have taken: Metallurgical thermodynamics. It is a really important class and well taught, it just covers a lot of material. Thermodynamics is very important to understanding materials.

Three celebrities I would invite to a dinner party: C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkin and Agatha Christie

C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien wrote my favorite books growing up and I love Agatha Christie’s mysteries. They all lived very interesting lives that would be cool to hear about and to hear about their writing inspiration and any writing tips and advice they would have. C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien were friends too; I have read some of the published letters and heard stories about them, so I think it would be fun to just sit and listen to them interact.

Favorite stop in Butte: Second Edition Books! It’s the large used bookstore on Montana St.

Weirdest study/classroom ritual I have: When I take notes in class or study, I use at least 5 different colored pens. My notes always have to be color-coded, and I don’t like to have one color be repeated more than the others.

What I love about Montana Tech: How close of a community we are. Being able to walk into most classes and know somebody at a large school is rare. At Tech it is very common!

Involvement on campus: I am involved in Environmental Engineers of Montana Tech Club (EEMT), Pacific Northwest International Section (PNWIS) environmental challenge, Honors Program and undergraduate research.

What I think makes Butte special: All the fun outdoor activities, especially Discovery Ski Hill!

Favorite time of year, at Tech: The winter purely for skiing purposes!

Favorite Tech event: Football games! I love the tailgate parities!

Favorite class at Tech: Physics

Favorite spot on campus: The Coffee shop in the Mill

What I think makes Butte special: The people. Moving from out of state and finding a town like Butte has been the best experience I could ask for

In 5 years I hope to be: Using my degree in some way and coaching football

Favorite Montana Tech Professor: Professor Jim Girard

Hardest class I have taken: Chemistry, hands down. Study hard for that one!

Why Montana Tech: My grandparents have lived in Butte my whole life which is how I was introduced to tech. I fell in love with the community of Tech and Butte.  

What I think makes Butte special: The community. Whenever something happens (good or bad) the whole community pulls together to either help out or to celebrate.  

One thing I cannot go a day without: Coffee for sure.  

A MUST that I carry in your backpack: During Covid times, definitely can’t live without hand sanitizer.  

Favorite place to grab food off campus: Mac’s Tavern. They hands down, have the best Mac-n-Cheese. 

I decided to attend Montana Tech because:  The nursing program is the top state program, which I knew would be a huge advantage towards career growth

Favorite time of year, at Tech:  Fall semester. Coming back after a long summer is a great feeling.

One thing I cannot go a day without:   Coffee!

Plans after Tech:Attend a nursing practitioner program and earn my Doctorate

Favorite stop in Butte:   Oro Fino Coffee

My Hero: My mom

What I think makes Butte special: The small size, as well as the sense of community both on campus and around town. On campus the smaller sizes make it nicer to make friends as well as have personal interactions with your teachers. In town everyone is so proud to be living in Butte, and if you wear Tech gear out people seem proud that you are going to this university.  

Plans after Tech: I want to go on to get my masters in biomedical engineering, but I haven’t decided where I want to go to further my education. If Tech had a biomedical engineering masters I would most definitely stay here! 

A backpack MUST I always have: either my planner or my airpods. My planner makes it easy for me to know what I need to do for the day, as well as the upcoming days, and my airpods for listening to music while I work on homework.  

Campus involvement: I am involved with the Women’s Golf team and undergraduate research. I am also an Anatomy and Physiology TA and starting this year, I am in the Biology club! 

Favorite Tech Residence Hall: Prospector, because I feel like everyone is outgoing and super smart for living in the coolest residence hall (but I'm biased because I lived in Prospector).

What I love about Montana Tech: The great views, awesome professors, and great people you’ll meet here!

What I think makes Butte special: I love how small Butte is! The drive any where in town is short and you get to drive past some unique history.

Involvement on campus: I’m involved in Women in Mining, Society of Mining and Metallurgy Exploration, and Mining Team.

Favorite event at Tech: M days because it’s a great stress reliever! They plan so many fun events through out the week and it’s just a great break from the grind of school.

Favorite Residence Hall on campus: Centennial. While it’s not the party dorm it has a pretty cool movie room and suites. I stayed in the suite and I had my own separate room and had a common living area. I highly recommend.

I cannot go a day without: Caffeine! 

What I think makes Butte special: Everyone is super friendly and always excited to talk to Tech students. The community here is very supportive and outgoing. Butte is also surrounded by so many great outdoors activities. There is always something to do and another place to explore.  

Plans after Tech: I want to get a Master’s Degree in Structural Engineering.  

Campus Involvement:  I am involved in the Society of Women in Engineering, American Society of Civil Engineers, Concrete Canoe, Engineers Without Boarders, and Chi Alpha. I am also a teaching assistant in the Civil Engineering Department.  

Favorite place to grab food off campus: Bonanza Freeze is one of my favorites, especially on late nights. Probably the best place for shakes in town! 

Favorite time of the year, at tech: I love fall at Tech! The trees turn gorgeous colors and the start of the semester always feels so refreshing. I also love that I’m not slipping on the ice between classes… 

Favorite class I have taken: Intro to Nutrition. It taught me knowledge that I can use for my own health, as well as for my future in healthcare. 

The most intelligent person I know: My dad. He has helped me get through everything from my geometry homework in high school, my FAFSA, college applications, switching my major and even switching colleges. He’s always been so helpful getting me through life and I don’t know what I’d do without him! 

How do I get to campus: I commute from Helena to attend my classes since my parents recently moved there. At least it’s a beautiful drive! 

Favorite place to grab food off campus: I like to walk down Park Street to Oro Fino Coffee. They have the best coffee, snacks, and areas to study.

Favorite spot on campus: I enjoy the new Student Success Center the most, because of all the different study areas it offers!

Plan after Tech: After Tech I want to pursue a career in the golf industry

Favorite place to grab food on campus: The Student Success Center

Favorite place to grab food off campus: I love Subway or Pita Pit!

I decided to attend Montana Tech because: I met so many great students and faculty on my visit that were so embracing. The golf team is also very talented and I wanted to be apart of that!

In 5 years I hope to be: Working in the golf industry either as an assistant pro or something else. Hopefully in nice weather!

What I love about Montana Tech: I love the welcoming atmosphere. No matter who you meet, it seems everyone is friendly and looks out for one another.

One thing I can’t go a day without: Listening to music

Why Montana Tech: Tech is an engineering school with an environment as professional as any, and yet small enough to care about individuals.  

Plans after Tech: I want to pursue a career in Environmental Engineering, specifically in water treatment.  

I cannot go a day without: Music, podcasts, or being outside 

A MUST that I carry in my backpack: I can’t go anywhere without a calculator. I sometimes won’t use it for days, but without it I am useless 

Favorite place to grab food off campus: The Front Street Market