Hello. My name is Tim and I am a Research Scientist working in a high energy physics lab, based in Los Angeles, developing next generation imaging technologies to scan the Earth for rare mineral deposits. My research spans both computational and experimental particle physics. I have experience building computational simulations, performing statistical data analysis, designing and manufacturing particle detectors, and managing daily laboratory operations. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics and a Minor in Physics from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
I am interested in how the laws of nature manifest in our daily lives, and how they can inform the way we solve problems. Originally from Chicago, I developed a deep interest in the power of an environment to influence the behavior and health of its constituents. This interest has motivated my study of math and physics. These fields are enabling me to view the environments and constituents of the world through the most accurate and fundamental lens possible: the language and laws of nature.
In my personal life, I love all types of art from visual media and architecture to music and film. I also greatly enjoy traveling. Whether it is from visiting my family in the States, meeting them halfway around the world in various parts of Europe, or simply spending my childhood summers biking around the city, I grew a great appreciation for the ability to move around. The more I saw, the clearer my perspective became when approaching any sort of endeavor. I now call upon the sciences to understand how the world moves.
EXPERIENCE
MUON TOMOGRAPHY LAB @ OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE
SUPPORTED BY KOBOLD METALS
Research Assistant
JUN 2025 - AUG 2025
I assembled, deployed, tested, and debugged a surface array of cosmic air shower scintillation detectors and borehole detectors. I have also soldered, tested, and debugged the circuit boards for these detectors. I am responsible for maintaining an inventory for electrical components of these boards. I also worked on implementing embedded software for IoT‑enabled detector networks, including GPS‑based timing and over-the-air updates to microprocessor firmware.
Technologies: C++, Python, MicroPython, GEANT4, Embedded Software, IoT Network Design, Circuit Boards, AutoCAD, 3D Printing, Oscilliscope
Research Scientist
SEP 2025 - PRESENT
In my research I am working on developing next‑generation imaging technologies to scan the Earth for rare mineral deposits. My work spans both computational and experimental particle physics, combining simulation, data analysis, and hands‑on hardware development. I was promoted to lead the design and manufacturing of the next generation of the cosmic air shower surface array detectors. My focus is on simplifying the design to optimize for cost, detection efficiency, and assembly time. Specifically, the next generation reduces the cost per detector by roughly 80%, assembly time by roughly 66%, while maintaining a detection efficiency of above 94%. I also aid in the design and construction of a hodoscope detector, and will deploy this detector alongside my team in a mine in Cayeli, Turkey in early 2026. I also analytically and computationally computed the single photon response of a Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM).
HEP MUOGRAPHY LAB @ UIUC
SUPPORTED BY KOBOLD METALS
Computational High Energy Physics Research Assistant
MAR 2024 - MAY 2025
My research focuses on simulating the passage of highly energetic particles through matter. I implemented and analyzed Monte Carlo simulations with GEANT4, a C++ based package developed by CERN. These simulations were done to learn how much energy an incoming particle deposits into a material, and what happens to that energy once it has been deposited. I was also responsible for calculating the theoretical expectation of these values and validating their results against the predicted outcomes.
Technologies: C++, Python, GEANT4, ROOT
CTRL+V AGENCY OF AMERICAN ADVERTISING FEDERATION AT ILLINOIS (AAF)
Executive Account Director of CTRL+V, Executive Board Member of AAF @ Illinois
JUN 2023 - DEC 2023
CTRL+V's mission is to produce professional level promotional videos for local businesses near UIUC. Consisting of roughly 40 students per semester, CTRL+V is the largest video-production agency at UIUC. CTRL+V takes on roughly 5 clients each semester.
As the Executive Account Director, I organized and ran weekly agency meetings alongside the President and Executive Creative Director, guiding our member's through all phases of the production process.
AXIS Capital
Data Engineer Intern
JAN 2023 - AUG 2023
I did work transferring an old company database onto a newer system. I also led a project focused on estimating financial loss distributions by performing statistical analysis on a combination of financial data and geo-spatial data.
