Hi there! I'm Nathan, a '27 from Lynn, MA (just outside Boston). I'm majoring in Engineering Sciences modified with Studio Art—I like to understand, design, and create things. I also love writing, photography, and being outside (hence this blog). On-campus, I'm involved in the startup scene through the Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship, as well as the Triathlon and Cycling Teams. Outside of class, you'll probably catch me drinking coffee somewhere or out on my bike.
I took this class to explore the Biology Department and it ended up defining my freshman Fall. I grew close with other biology-minded students and together we delved deep into cellular mechanisms and processes in a fast-paced environment. The labs were long but rewarding and everything about this class made me a better scientist—Professor Bezanilla is an amazing teacher! I would recommend this class to anyone with a passion for biology and research.
“Who do I want to be?” is a question that I frequently ask myself as an undergraduate (and I’m sure you will as well). A good place to begin answering this question, however, is “Who am I ?” Taking Investigative Memoir as my first-year seminar allowed me to explore this question via personal reflection and expressive writing—something that has helped me frame my identity at Dartmouth with the rest of my life. College can be a surreal experience, but Professor Sharlet’s introduction to the world of creative nonfiction has given me the ability to transform my own perceptions into tangible, recorded stories.
As a kid I drew a lot; I was inspired by architectural books like “Pyramid” and “Castle” and fascinated by illustrations in “The Way Things Work.” All of these books are by the author David Macaulay—and I had the opportunity to take this very class with him! I completed weekly sketchbook exercises, worked on visually communicating inventions, and was able to receive personal feedback. The theme of visual illustration as a tool in engineering resonated strongly with me, inspiring my interest in an engineering major modified with studio art. Given my long relationship with his work, this class was truly a dream come true.
SummerAmherst, Massachusetts
I interned at a running biomechanics research lab in Amherst, MA, to explore my interests in kinesiology and running shoe design! I was able to self-fund the internship through a grant from the Dartmouth Center for Professional Development (CPD). I spent the rest of my summer reading, spending time with family, and took a trip to Quebec before returning to campus.
The first of a two-part series on classical mechanics, this class made physics refreshing and enjoyable. The content came primarily through lectures given by Professor Caldwell, who was extremely clear and made each class memorable with demonstrations, jokes, or historical tangents. The lab section, which involved hands-on physics experiments, reinforced my understanding of the material in a practical sense. I took this course as an engineering requirement, and I found it to be my favorite quantitative course thus far.
I delved into the process of using digital design tools—such as the Adobe Suite, Rhino 3D, and Fusion 360—to create projects that used computer driven manufacturing methods like laser cutting and 3D printing. This class was right up my alley as the assignments required a hybrid of creative and technical thinking. My favorite projects included a making my own lamp, decorative tiles, and an architecture miniature. Overall, this class expanded my design skills and further solidified my pursuit of a Studio Art minor.
I learned about the history of New York, New Orleans, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles through a series of group discussions and presentations. Professor Orleck was an amazing lecturer and guided us through topics like labor reform, corruption, infrastructure, and economics across each city. The final project was an open research paper, and I chose to write about the evolution of culture in Boston's North End. Overall, this class reshaped my perspective of cities and allowed me to fulfill a SOC distributive requirement.
A classic engineering course in which I learned about rigid body statics, the behavior of deformable elastic solids, and how to build a system that can withstand load. The final group project was a truss bridge laser-cut out of wood that involved multiple rounds of simulation and computer-aided-design (CAD). In the end, it held over 20 kN, or about 4,500 pounds! I loved how this class changed the way I interacted with everyday physical objects and think about structures!
FallHanover
I took the fall quarter "off" to work on a hardware startup with two other students full-time! We lived and worked on-campus. I helped with the mechanical engineering components of the startups and designed our website. As part of the Magnuson Center’s venture studio, we had a space to work from and met with fellow startup founders every Thursday to discuss highs and lows. The culmination of the term was a break trip to Seattle and San Francisco to meet alumni working in entrepreneurship and venture capital.
An engineering course centered on understanding why materials behave the way they do. The class combined lectures with hands on lab sessions, where we used tools like a scanning electron microscope and X ray diffraction to actually see and analyze the materials we were studying. For our final group project, we investigated 3D printed metal lattice structures designed to improve performance in energy applications. I liked how the course changed the way I look at everyday objects, from the metals in a bike frame to the materials inside electronic devices, and think more carefully about what is happening beneath the surface.
This past Winterim, the break between the end of the Fall term and the beginning of the Winter term, I spent one week on the West Coast learning about what opportunities are available in entrepreneurship, primarily in startups and venture capital. The trip was sponsored by the Magnuson Center, which is Dartmouth's hub of all things entrepreneurship. We spent three days in Seattle and four days in San Francisco, and there were 15 students, including me, who attended. We came from a range of class years and majors, and the only prerequisite was to have been involved in some way with a program affiliated with the Magnuson Center. I was also amazed to learn that this trip has been running for many years, and that many of the alumni we met had met nearly every past cohort.
I chose to attend the trip because I discovered the Magnuson Center during my first year and have steadily increased my involvement since then. I participated in TuckLab: Entrepreneurship, joined the student board, and have been working on my own startup with two friends for a year. Coming from the East Coast, I had also not spent any real time exploring the West Coast, and I had little idea of what the area had to offer. As a result, the trip stood out when I was planning what to do over break. I would be able to meet alumni, deepen my understanding of startups and venture capital, and have some fun with others on the trip!
After flying into Seattle, I caught an Uber with a friend to where we were staying downtown and settled in. On the very first day, we already had a dinner scheduled with young alumni working in startups in the Seattle area. On the second day, we had some free time to explore the city, so I visited the first Starbucks in Pike's Place Market.
The first Starbucks!
Later that afternoon, we visited Madrona Capital, a venture firm investing in a variety of tech startups, and learned more about the AI boom. We also visited the Gates Foundation, walked past the Amazon headquarters, toured the offices of a startup founded by alumni called Gradial, and had more lunches and dinners with alumni throughout our time there.
The Seattle space needle from the Gates Foundation campus.
In San Francisco, we started with yet another dinner with alumni, this time with founders who had recently attended Y Combinator, a well known startup accelerator in the area, along with another venture investor. We again had some free time, so I explored the city with friends and we visited Chinatown, Little Italy, and Navy Pier, and generally got a feel for the city. San Francisco felt very cosmopolitan, and between the self-driving cars and billboards advertising AI startups, the atmosphere was pretty inspiring.
A typical view in the city.
Later, we spent more time with young alumni who had attended Y Combinator and learned about their experience after the program and what it looks like to continue building a company (the two startups we met were CodeWiz and Bolto). We also had dinner at Jeff Crowe's residence; Jeff is a managing director at Norwest Ventures and has been hosting students at his house for over ten years, which says a lot about his commitment to Dartmouth students.
During our remaining days, we visited the logistics company Flexport, met more alumni working in venture capital in Palo Alto, paid a quick visit to Stanford, and ended the trip by heading north to Napa Valley. There, we toured a vineyard and learned about the viticulture business, which was a nice break from software! The next morning, we boarded our flights to head home.
Stopping by the Golden Gate bridge on our way to Napa Valley!
Overall, the trip was incredibly informative and eye-opening in terms of the careers available in startups, venture investing, and other paths that are especially prominent on the West Coast. I now understand why Silicon Valley has such a strong reputation as a center for tech and emerging companies. It was also meaningful to connect with both young and older alumni and hear about what they did at Dartmouth and how it led them to where they are today. Between all the people I met and conversations I had, the trip really reinforced how strong the Dartmouth alumni network is, even hundreds of miles away. I look forward to spending more time on the West Coast and am very grateful to the Magnuson Center for making this experience possible.
Curious about how declaring a major works at Dartmouth? Concerned about getting trapped studying something you don't like? No need to worry. Come explore with me how majors and minors work at Dartmouth!
My final week in Saigon was nothing short of adventure. Bittersweet, but still jam-packed with activities, come with me as I conclude my time in Vietnam
This winter, I'm studying abroad in Toulouse, immersing myself in French language, literature, art, and culture through place-based classes, city explorations, and firsthand experiences across southern France.
From surfing in Puerto Rico to backpacking in Joshua Tree to Norway: Break trips are a unique Dartmouth experience, giving students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the outdoors
