Lauren Dressler

What made you want to come to Lewis & Clark?

When I was applying to colleges, I had many interests and wasn’t yet sure what I wanted to major in. I knew that attending a liberal arts college would allow me to explore a range of subjects in my curriculum while still preparing me for life after graduation. Beyond academics, it was important to me that the school I chose offered student job opportunities, access to the outdoors, and a strong sense of community. After being accepted at Lewis & Clark, I visited campus and was drawn in by the welcoming atmosphere, variety of student organizations, and proximity to Portland and nearby natural areas. The school’s small classes and beautiful campus struck me as somewhere I would be able to grow both academically and personally.

What have you been doing since graduation?

After my time at Lewis & Clark ended, I started grad school at the University of Washington, where I’m currently working towards a PhD in physics. As part of my program at UW, I’ve gotten to take lots of interesting coursework. My graduate classes have deepened my understanding of fundamental physics and also allowed me to learn more about topics I previously knew little about, such as electronics and data science. Alongside classes, I take part in research with UW’s radio cosmology group. My work primarily focuses on instrumentation for telescopes that are trying to measure a faint radio signal from hydrogen in the early universe. This measurement could eventually allow us to better understand how the first stars and galaxies formed! When I’m not doing physics, I love to spend time reading, running, and finding beautiful places to hike near Seattle.

How did Lewis & Clark prepare you for grad school?

My physics major taught me to approach problems systematically, using mathematics as a language to describe the observable world. Meanwhile in my math major, I learned to think about this language more deeply–to better understand its origins, grammar, and creative potential. The classes I took at L&C were foundational and prepared me for much of my graduate coursework. My experience working as a peer tutor at the SQRC (the on-campus support center for STEM classes) helped me develop teaching and communication skills, which were invaluable to me in my role as a teaching assistant during my first year of grad school.

What would you say is the most important thing you learned at Lewis & Clark?

I learned how to have a learning mindset! Even if I were to forget every formula I’ve memorized, I’d like to imagine that the habits I formed at Lewis & Clark—of thinking critically, hunting for connections in unexpected places, and applying knowledge creatively in new situations—would stick with me. Equally valuable was coming to appreciate the importance of community in education. Collaborating with peers who think differently than me taught me that novel solutions to challenging problems often arise from collective insight. Other than that… probably how to integrate by parts. :)

How do you stay connected to Lewis & Clark as an alum?

As an alum, I stay close to Lewis & Clark primarily by keeping up with all the friends I made during my time in college. Within physics, I still chat regularly with several folks from my own cohort and a few friends from the years above and below me. I also stay in touch with a wonderful group of women I met on the rowing team, whose friendships remain some of the strongest in my life. I feel so lucky to share my challenges and successes with a network of such incredible peers, mentors, and friends. It is truly a special community whose memories and bonds continue to shape me as a scientist, lifelong learner, and human being.