Thomas Evans

[Ph.D. NE 1997]
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos, New Mexico Group

My job at Los Alamos is strongly research based. As such, it requires the ability to do independent thinking and analysis. The NE/HP department at Georgia Tech has faculty members who are willing to let students work independently as much as possible, while still providing the mentoring in key areas that they need. This type of training is invaluable for Ph.D. students who will be expected to work independently, and this experience is critical to learning that not all problems have answers. Nonetheless, learning to work on high-level projects as part of a team effort is also critical. Throughout my graduate career I was fortunate to be part of a research group involving two faculty members and up to five students. By participating indirectly on other projects I learned how best to work in a team environment on high-level projects while still providing key deliverables independently. I was also fortunate in that I had the opportunity to work on projects in several different technical areas. I feel that this experience was invaluable in that I learned how to do research and publish, in many related, but different, fields. The broadening effect this had on my education was invaluable. I was pleased that my advisor encouraged this.

A major strength of Georgia Tech is its research program. Avenues exist, both in terms of faculty and availability, that allow students to tackle research problems in a variety of areas.

I would rate the faculty very high, and the student body high.