Notable Activities
Physics
I study the workings of the universe, which is frankly a pretty
amazing thing to have the opportunity to do. See details under Research.
Puzzles
Since college I have been heavily involved with the solving (and occasional writing) of unusual puzzles. I was a cross-town (and then cross-country) member of the Random Hall team in the MIT Mystery Hunt from 2000-2005. When we emerged victorious in the 2005 Hunt, I became a member of the writing team (Metaphysical Plant) for the 2006 S.P.I.E.S. Hunt. I test-solved nearly half of the 2006 Hunt and wrote two puzzles: Strip Search from the Moscow round and Fusion from the McMurdo Station round. I returned to competition with much of that group in 2007. After a second triumph for our team in the 2010 Hunt, I was part of the writing team for the 2011 Hunt. I was a test-solver for this Hunt, but did not contribute any puzzles.
While in the Bay Area I was involved in several BANGs, The Game, Iron Puzzler, and several online hunts.
Music
I played alto, and occasionally bass and contralto, clarinets through middle and high school as part of band, wind ensemble, and various pit orchestras. These had the advantage of being much like clarinets but owned by the school, so I did not have to purchase an expensive instrument.
In college I took up singing, joining the Harvard Noteables and acting in (and co-producing) my roommate Peter Dong's original musical Les Phys. Sadly, I've continued little of this after college.
Other
Due to my proximity to Lake Tahoe, I picked up skiing in grad school. I'm still not fantastic at it, but my injuries thus far have not been permanent.