Hi there! I'm Nathan, a '27 from Lynn, MA (just outside Boston). I'm an intended Engineering Sciences Major and Studio Art Minor—I like to understand, design, and create things. I also love reading about history, writing, and photography (hence this blog). On-campus, I'm involved in the Triathlon Team, French Living Learning Community (LLC), and Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship. Explore my posts for an inside perspective of everything Dartmouth has to offer!
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 spent a week in Miami this spring racing at Collegiate Club Nationals—my first time in Florida and definitely one of the more memorable trips I've taken with the Triathlon Team at Dartmouth.
We flew into Fort Lauderdale and met up at an Airbnb in Miami, where 14 of us stayed together. It was a full team effort just to get there; we'd been fundraising and planning for months to make it happen, and it was really cool to see it all come together.
The race was on Saturday, but we arrived a few days early to acclimate. That mostly meant biking and running around the neighborhood, eating a lot of pasta, and trying to get used to the heat (so different from Hanover). I'd been training through the summer, fall, and winter, so this trip had been on my mind for a while—it felt exciting and a little surreal to finally be there.
Race day started early. We were up by 4:15 a.m., grabbed some coffee and a small breakfast, and drove out to the Miami Speedway. The race didn't start until around 7:45, so we had some time to warm up and take it all in. The swim took place in a spring-fed pond right in the middle of the racetrack—kind of a wild venue. It was only my second open water swim ever, so nerves were high at first, but I trusted that all those pool hours would pay off.
The transition zone before the start of the race. Lots of bikes!
We waited in line behind the swim start, and before I knew it, I was in the water making my way toward each buoy. The start was chaotic with so many people swimming, but after the first few minutes, I found a rhythm. The swim was the most challenging leg, so I was glad to climb out and head into the transition zone.
Next came the bike leg. The course was super flat—definitely not like the hills of New Hampshire—but the wind kept things interesting. You'd fly one way with a tailwind and then hit a wall of headwind on the way back.
By the time I got to the run, the heat had really set in. I took full advantage of the water stations (and the sprinklers!) and somehow managed to negative split the last mile. Crossing the finish line felt great—not just because it was over, but because a crew of Dartmouth supporters was there to cheer us on.
Afterwards, we relaxed at the Airbnb and enjoyed a little more time in the Florida sun, but it didn't last long; we flew out early the next morning and went straight back to campus, where classes were already underway. It was a bit of a whirlwind, but that's part of what made it so fun.
Getting to race with a team, travel to a new place, and represent Dartmouth was such a rewarding experience. I'm already looking forward to the spring race season. For now, it's back to training, catching up on sleep, and spending time outside.
During winter term, I participated in the inaugural program, Tuck Pathfinders, which connected first-year students with Dartmouth alums and provided us with career advice!
