My Story: Jacob Lineberry

Coming to NC State has been one of the best decisions I could have made. The experiences I have had, the people I have met, and the resources I have access to have allowed me to begin to form my path. If it were not for my wonderful donor and the Solomon Scholars program, I would not have had access to professors, research opportunities, and technology.

Through the Solomon Scholars program, I was partnered with my incredible mentor, Dr. Paul Huffman. Thanks to that relationship, I have acquired opportunities beyond what I could have imagined. Dr. Huffman shared with me his personal experiences traveling to Haiti and encouraged me to travel abroad as well. With his help and guidance, I have ventured outside the United States, visiting the Dominican Republic, teaching children English through the Alternative Service Break program. This coming summer, I will be spending a month walking across Spain to prepare for a Spanish minor and expand my cultural awareness.

In addition, through the close connections within the College of Sciences and Dr. Huffman, I have performed physics research here at NC State, looking at the thermal conductivity of graphite and its usefulness as a thermal heat switch. I also had the privilege of participating in a Research Experience for Undergraduates program this past summer. I worked with Dr. Pieter Mumm at the National Institutes of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg, MD, on the PROSPECT experiment, looking for a new neutrino. Both of these experiences have aided my growth significantly, and encouraged me to pursue a PhD in physics. However, I could not have enjoyed these experiences and made these discoveries about myself without the generosity of the Risley family, the Solomon Scholars program, and the College of Sciences.