Kevin O'Shea '25
BS Physics, minor in Mathematics
On Stony Brook:
I transferred to Stony Brook my sophomore year for two reasons: it was affordable,
and it offered me more opportunities. When I decided to become a physics major, I
was looking for a place where I would have the chance to do more than just coursework.
With programs like URECA and the wide availability of faculty-mentored student research,
there are way more chances to excel in physics at SBU than most other schools.
On his major and minor:
I chose physics because, in my opinion, it's the most interesting and least tedious
science. You do a little bit of everything (coding, math, hands on electronics, etc.)
and get to learn about the "why"s of the world. In that sense it's incredibly versatile
and never gets boring. While other sciences can get bogged down in memorization, physics
leans into building a deep understanding of the principles governing everything from
atoms to planets. Plus, almost every exam has a formula sheet.
On his favorite classes:
Waves and Optics (PHY300) with Thomas Weinacht was easily one of my favorite classes.
It's a studio course that has labs interwoven into the lectures. It is incredibly
satisfying to make a prediction, do the math, and then watch it happen in front of
you. It was also very collaborative, and the friends I made there I have continued
to work side by side with for the rest of my undergraduate career and, hopefully,
beyond.
Interests and accomplishments:
I've worked for the past two years as an executive board member of the Society of
Physics Students. During my time there, I led a high school outreach program that
developed a cheap, 3D printable prototype lab kit and used it as a tool to teach students
about the wave-like nature of light. I also created and ran the "Research Fair," a
career-fair style event that brought together underclassmen and faculty to facilitate
undergraduate research. I did my best to make physics accessible and to help younger
students make use of the opportunities available to them. I think that 10 years from
now, when I look back on my time at Stony Brook, that is what I will be the most proud
of.
Plans for post-graduation:
I'm staying at Stony Brook for a master’s in Scientific Instrumentation, a program
focused on research in experimental physics, to study ultracold atomic physics. After
that, I plan to continue on to a PhD program in the same field.
Favorite SBU memory:
In May 2024 there was a major geomagnetic storm that meant you could see the northern
lights from the North Shore. Some friends and I spent hours that night frantically
driving around to find somewhere without light pollution. We met with Astronomy Club
members at a beach, but we couldn't see much and we nearly got stranded by the rising
tide. We had all but given up, but at the last minute we found out the lights had
come back and brighter than before. So we sat, freezing cold at 3am on a rocky beach,
watching the green and purple ripples in the sky. I still made it to my 8 am the next
day, too.
Advice for future Seawolves:
The general piece of advice I give to every incoming student and freshman is always
the same: just show up to things. Pick a club that sounds vaguely interesting and
just go there. There are more than enough kind and interesting people at Stony Brook
that you will eventually find something that sticks. For me, that was the Society
of Physics Students, but it may be something else for you.
On the academic side of things: start your homework early. I was able to get through most of high school and early college by doing my homework last minute, but transitioning to doing it as soon as I could has saved me a lot of time and stress as an upperclassman. As you get older, other aspects of your academic career beyond just homework become more and more important, but you can't excel in those if you don't get the homework done first.