Patent Attorney and co-owner, Suiter Swantz Intellectual Property
What area of physics did you study and when did you graduate?
I studied solid state and condensed matter physics. In particular, I studied the structural, thermal, and electrical behavior of ferroelectric and electroactive polymer systems. I graduated in 2007.
How long did your degree take? When did you start research?
Approximately 6.5 years. I started research work immediately.
Why did you choose to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
The solid state physics and material science groups at UNL are world renowned (as are other groups). I had performed a significant amount of undergraduate research at UNL and felt that I could more easily hit the ground running by staying at UNL. This allowed me to dive into research immediately.
How do the skills you learned as a physics doctoral student apply to your current career?
I am currently a patent attorney. Although it may seem like an odd track for a Ph.D. physicist, my physics background has opened many doors in my legal career. As a generalist, my Ph.D. background allows me to more readily (and more deeply) dive into the variety of technological fields I regularly encounter as a patent attorney. Further, the reasoning and logic skills, which are naturally developed and enhanced when one attains a Ph.D. in physics, are skills that are prized in the legal field and have been invaluable in navigating the patent law.
Any advice for students coming to study at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
Your career is what you make of it. UNL offers the ability to quickly become engaged with real research and offers candidates a great deal of flexibility. The facilities and faculty are top notch. And so when you combine these factors one can achieve the very highest levels of success with a UNL physics Ph.D.
