Hyewon Pechkis
When Hyewon is not in the Physical Sciences Building, she is a mother of two kids, and two dogs, named Rocket and LIGO. Hyewon likes gardening, taking pictures, practicing cello, (not necessarily good at these) and reading books (I am good at this!).
Fun fact: I used to be afraid of dogs, since I was almost bitten by one when I was a kid, but now, now I am Rocket's favorite human. Justin named LIGO, a 9 week old puppy!
Joseph Pechkis
When he is not in the Physical Sciences Building, Joe is digging holes in his wife's garden (and trying to avoid digging one for himself). He enjoys music and playing with his kids.
(Not so) fun fact: I am no longer Rocket's favorite human. :( Now, I am hoping that I can become Ligo's favorite human.
Rocket Pechkis
My name is Rocket, and I am all grown up at 4 years old. I have no official duties, which is good, because I generally avoid socializing, except with Mr. Sam Smith. Although I wasn't officially hired for or even allowed for this purpose, I like protecting our house and my pack, especially from Red, the neighbor's dog (he keeps staring at me, and I'm sure he's plotting something).
Fun fact: My mom is my favorite human.
Ligo Pechkis
Yes, you are right - my name is LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory), and I am not technically allowed in the laboratory - not fair! I am four months old, and my favorite things to do are digging (especially good at detecting citrus trees), observing things around me (I do live by my name), and love eating books, especially my parents' physics and math books!
Fun fact: I was born near Mount Shasta, and Justin Craven named me! He should have named me Cookie Paw!
Samuel Smith
My name is Samuel Smith, and I am currently a Junior Studying Mechanical Engineering and Physics. When I am not studying, I enjoy being outdoors backpacking, climbing, snowboarding , or hanging out with friends. I've always had a passion for physics and wanted to deepen my understanding on the subject.
P.S. Samuel is a dog whisperer, he's the only human who Rocket likes other than the Pechkis!
Blayne Hass
I am currently a physics major in town that I grew up in Chico. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy playing guitar and snowboarding up in Tahoe!
Michael McKinley
I am a computer science major, freshman, graduating in Spring 2027. I enjoy developing apps, programming websites and am currently leaning how to use neural networks. In my free time, I produce music and animate. I also enjoy hiking and rock climbing.
Spencer Pollard
My name is Spencer Pollard and am physics major and double minor computer science and mathematics. While majoring in physics, I've become increasingly interested in computer systems with the hope of pursing a Ph.D. in computer science and Engineering to study embedded systems or control system. Outside of work and school, I like to spend my time playing video games at home or at local arcade.
Evan Goertzen
My name is Evan Goertzen and I am from Fort Collins, Colorado. I am studying computer science at Chico State until the spring of 2025. I like making projects, being outisde, and spending time with my friends.
Alex Mcpeck
My name is Alexander McPeck, and I am currently pursuing my Bachelors of Science with a double major in applied mathematics and physics. I plan on furthering my education in physics following the completion of my bachelors degree, and my hope is to eventually secure an academic position. I love studying physics and being part of the physics community at CSU Chico, and I want to be able to contribute by sharing the passion I have for the subject with the people around me.
Micheal Hart
My name is Michael Hart and am majoring in Physics. I recently took a couple of years off school and am really excited to be back. In my free time I like to cook, play pickle ball, ski and watch football on Sundays.
Jackson Floyd
Jackson is an undergraduate student at Chico State studying Physics with a minor in Chemistry. He is in his fourth semester, and has just begun working with the research team. Jackson is originally from the Bay Area and moved to Chico for school. Outside of research, he also works as student aid for Physics. Beyond his educational career, Jackson is an avid music-lover and plays multiple instruments himself.
Declan Onstot
Hello! My name is Declan Onstot, and I am a Mechanical Engineering Major at Chico State. I have a particular passion for physics and learning to understand the world around us. When I have time outside of homework and extracurriculars, I love to read a good book or take a hike. Some of my dreams are to find work after college in Germany or Amsterdam, and to save up to travel the world and buy a beautiful little house in the Italian Alps. This semester, I will be taking on Research for Dr. Pechkis in the ultracold atoms lab, an opportunity that I am looking forward to greatly.
Dhruv Bahl
My name is Dhruv Bahl and I'm a senior graduating spring 2024. I'm a computer science major who has a knack for programming and backend development. I was born in New Delhi and I have lived in 3 different countries. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, trying different wines and planning my next trip. Fun fact about me, I used to play horse polo growing up.
Caleb Cusworth
I am a mechatronic major, rising senior at CSU, Chico. I grew up in Redding, CA, I enjoy mountain biking, backpacking, skiing, and hanging out with friends.
Ian Edwards
My name is Ian Edwards, I am a physics major and I love our department. I love learning new things and the sense of community I get from studying with my friends. Some of my favorite things to do are traveling, cooking and tinkering on cars. I love helping people learn and understand physics, I also enjoy applying my skills for practical purposes such as doing research, and I hope someday to add new knowledge to the world.
Our Alum
Gabriel Delich
My name is Gabriel Delich and I am a sophomore majoring in Mechatronic Engineering and Physics. I play soccer for the Chico State Men's soccer team. When I am not studying or playing soccer, I enjoy reading, playing chess, and being outdoors.
Justin Craven
I am 19 years old and a sophomore here at Chico state. I am majoring in Electrical Engineering and a Physics major. I also run track here at Chico. I am an Eagle Scout, and my hobbies include Rock Climbing, Snowboarding, and Hiking.
Andre Roths
My name is Andre Roths, and I am a junior majoring in Electrical Engineering and minoring in Physics. I have always enjoyed Physics and in my free time I race mountain bikes and ski.
Toni Grubesic
My name is Toni Grubesic and I'm a sophomore at Chico state, Studying Mechanical Engineering and Physics. When I'm not studying, I enjoy working with my hands, and being outdoors, mainly playing soccer and working on cars.
Anastasia Karavasili
I am a rising sophomore majoring in physics. I'm visiting CSU, Chico from Pomona College. I love playing tennis and film photography! I am excited to take pictures of ultracold atoms!
Esteban Teran
I love physics, pie, and hate being cold! Hi, my name is Esteban Teran and I’m a 3rd year Physics major at Chico State. I’m a dedicated student who likes working with their hands and doing lab experiments to see what cool stuff is happening with my own eyes. When we have school breaks, my favorite thing to do is go to the beach and soak up the sun with my dog back home in Ventura, California. I enjoy working on problems with others and am always in the physical science building so if you ever see me around, feel free to say hello!
Elliott Meeks
My name is Elliott Meeks and I am a sophomore Mechanical Engineering student at Chico State. I enjoy learning how the world works through math and science and whenever I am not studying I am often playing soccer. Additionally, I love creating and programming contraptions with Arduino.
Yolanda Reyes
Yolanda Reyes (Aapo/They/Them) is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and minor in physics at California State University, Chico. As a first generation ChicanX / Akimel O'odam / Yaqui student they strive to remove barriers for others to access equal education in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) fields.
Farhan Rehman
My name is Farhan Rehman, a physics major at CSU Chico. The reason I chose physics as my major was because of a life-long passion for the field and a general curiosity as to the fundamental nature of reality and the forces at play. My favorite fields to have studied so far have been E&M and Quantum Mechanics. Aside from physics, I enjoy reading all types of genres outside of the classroom, including history, philosophy, and politics. I also enjoy running, art, and, of course, chasing the thrill of new experience with my friends.
Liam Jacob
My name is Liam Jacob and a physics major. If I had to limit my entire life to a few activities, it would be to design and build anything I can come up with, climb rocks, ride skateboards, and play guitar. Currently I find myself living in the science building, so I'm pretty easy to find.
Hunter Sweet
I am on the cross country and track team at Chico. When I'm back in my hometown, I really enjoy boogie boarding or body surfing when I'm near the beach in San Diego. Also, I travel to Oregon frequently during the winter and ski at Mt. Bachelor with my family. I am currently studying Biochemistry and plan to double/minor in something related to math or computer science. After my undergraduate years, I plan to pursue an advanced degree and work in the medical field.
Sarah Smith
Hi, my name is Sarah Smith, I major in Physics with a minor in Chemistry. When I am not on campus working, I am listening to music, reading, or being with my friends. As a student I enjoy learning and exploring my fields of interest, and helping tutor my peers so everyone can enjoy the wonders of science. On the side I enjoy being outdoors, taking trips to the beach, or eating spicy food. I am always up for a good conversation or problem solving session!
Michael Mohs
Michael is becoming the senior at Chico High school. Michael joined the research team in Summer 2021. He has been actively participating in research working with the laser light and electronics! Way to go Michael!
Miguel Mejia
I am Miguel and a physics major about to be a senior this fall. I love math and Physics especially when it's all together. I am always ready to learn and sometimes slow when learning new things at first but once I'm comfortable with what I am doing, I am all good. When I'm not doing physics,I love to watch and play soccer and as well like eating food.
John Permann
John Permann is a first-gen student pursuing a B.S. in Professional Physics, with a Minor in Education. He collaborated in the design and production of the shutter driver circuits, used in the experiment. After completing his degree he plans to attend graduate school to further study physics and physics education. In his free time John enjoys cooking, hiking, and running.
Catherine Crichton
Catherine Crichton is an honors student studying Mechanical Engineering and Physics. She was summer researcher as a Mechanical Engineer at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and provided engineering support to the Ultracold group. Catherine is now at graduate school at University of Colorado, Boulder.
Lauren Gorman
Lauren obtained her Bachelors of Science in Professional Physics in 2020. She is currently working on generating vortex beams as a side project and will be attending the University of Connecticut next fall to become a Physics PhD candidate. She has interests in researching AMO or condensed matter physics. In her free time, she likes to cook, play with her cat, and do yoga.
Yoana Guzman
Yoana Guzman double majored in physics and electrical engineering. After graduating she intends to participate in an internship with Trans World Radio—a Christian media organization that uses AM transmitters, radio, satellite and device technologies to spread the gospel—and then begin a PhD program in physics. When she’s not learning, she’s playing a ukulele, water coloring, and making (and enjoying) food.
Tom Garcia
Tom Garcia was double majoring in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Physics. He designed and configured the frequency locking setup to stabilize the frequency output of the lasers. He spends his free time playing with his son, cooking, fly fishing, messing with his 3D printer, and working towards his lifelong dream of learning every single Beatles song on guitar. Tom is now an engineer at Santa Barbra Infrared.
Michael Doris
Michael obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics and Electrical Engineering in May 2019. He has accepted a position with the University of Maryland as a Faculty Assistant autonomizing and improving the efficiency of the Ultracold apparatuses at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. He turned down the Yale Graduate school, now he's at University of Maryland for PhD.
John Stone
John was a guy who gets everything really quick. With his brightness and enthusiasm, he will reach beyond his goals and dreams! He went to pursue master's degree at Colombia University, Best luck John!
Joseph Levine
Joseph was one of the witty guys of the group, and a wizard at electronics. I am sure that he's doing the same great job in graduate school at University of California, Davis!
Carissa Leveille
Mrs. Mary Wordorf and H. Pechkis always have to fight for Carissa. She was such an important person in the Physics Department. You are greatly missed, Carissa! I hope that you are doing grate at graduate school!
Jason Mickel
Jason was a persistent and hardworking. He got many offers to R1 graduate schools, and he is now at Montana State University, enjoying the wild, wild mountains and physics.
Will Mixter
Will was very proactive and passionate physicist and engineer. He was in Ireland a year, and he's worked as a product reliability engineer for Hunter Industries. Now he is working as design engineer in the laser system division at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory!