Research Rookies Student Profiles

Name: Garrett Wise

Cohort: Freshman Research Rookie & Simmons' Scholar

Major: Physics

Hometown: Mendota, Illinois

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Yasuo Ito & Dr. Zhili Xiao

Physics apparently runs in the Wise family. Garrett Wise has one cousin completing his PhD in physics at Iowa State University, and another cousin is majoring in Physics at NIU as well. Both of these cousins are older than Garrett, so he grew up observing and experiencing many of their physics projects. Because of this, physics had peaked Garrett’s interest from a young age.

Garrett’s acceptance into the Research Rookies program was a defining factor in him coming to NIU. He was initially going to begin at a local community college, but when he heard about Research Rookies, he could not help but apply. When he found out he had been accepted, he and his parents decided he should go to NIU and take advantage of the research opportunity.

Although Garrett is working with small particles for his project, the impact of his findings could be big. Garrett and his two mentors, Dr. Xiao and Dr.  Ito of the Physics Department, are studying gold, palladium, and aluminum and the structure they assume when stacked. The research is important because it is aimed at the construction of hydrogen sensors, which are used to detect hydrogen gas. To accomplish this, Garrett and his mentors will be travelling to Argonne National Laboratory and using their transition electron microscope to discover what is happening to the structure of the three metals and the nanomolecular level.

So far, Garrett’s first experiences with research have been very positive. Research Rookies is introducing him to his field, giving him a better understanding of aspects of physics, and providing him with valuable references and mentors for the rest of his college career. He hopes to continue doing research throughout college and work as a research physicist someday.

Garrett on what being a Research Rookie means: “Being a Research Rookie means having the maturity and integrity to handle and be responsible for independent work and study.”