Serenity Engel

As a child, I was obsessed with the idea of understanding the universe, even if the questions were slightly gross like that one. I now know about the useful urine recycling system in the ISS, but my curious mindset hasn’t changed. I, probably like you, continue to ask questions, no matter how strange they may be. That’s why I’m pursuing physics!

My name is Serenity, and I am a first-generation junior physics student at South Dakota Mines. Physics is organizing the universe: the science of everyday life and beyond.

Because of my passion, I’ve taken on several physics-related jobs. I’ve worked with germanium detectors (both on the surface, and a mile underground) since I was a freshman. I also was lucky to play an important role in the LUX-ZEPLIN dark matter detector at the Sanford Underground Research Facility. Most recently, I started working on electroforming ultrapure copper underground for the LEGEND experiment. This summer, I’ll be heading to the east coast to either accept an offer with Brookhaven National Lab or Rutgers University working in accelerator physics.

I use my free time to serve as a mathematics/physics peer mentor, helping with summer camps/outreach, and being a part of Sigma Pi Sigma. I have held two officer roles for my SPS chapter, one of which was president this year. I use these skills to hold one of three APS student ambassador positions in Zone 11. I use this to speak to Congress annually about issues facing the physics community, which is one of my proudest accomplishments.

Besides physics, I’ve worked as a resident advisor, which has manifested into an assistant area coordinator position that extends to the entirety of campus. For fun, I love cooking, watching movies, and playing video games on my PS4.

Soon, I’ll pursue a Ph.D. in experimental particle/astrophysics. I love SPS, but it’s mostly geared toward undergraduate students. Because of this, I hope to help graduate schools start to develop APS chapters so that I can bring this passion to the graduate level.