For Alli Swyt, physics has never been confined to a single discipline. Her time at Wake Forest has instead been defined by creative exploration and scientific research.
Swyt’s early interest in mathematics developed into a curiosity about the physical world.
“I really enjoyed math ever since I was a kid, and I didn’t know what I could do with that,” Swyt said. “Then I took two physics courses in high school, and I enjoyed it.”
Swyt declared a physics major the summer after her freshman year. Throughout her time in the department, she involved herself in research at the university’s nanotechnology center, where she worked under Professor David Carroll.
“My most recent project involved synthesizing high-temperature superconducting materials,” Swyt said. “That was really cool.”
Swyt said her hands-on laboratory work has been one of the most technically demanding but enriching parts of her experience at Wake Forest. For example, she built circuits that calibrate equipment. The equipment would then measure the magnetic properties of certain materials, such as bismuth telluride nanoplates.
Swyt emphasized that the collaborative environment she spent her time working in was just as important in shaping her experience.
“I really like Dr. Carroll,” Swyt said. “He’s been very welcoming to me…but all the professors in the physics department are amazing.”
Swyt said the small nature of the physics department allows for meaningful connections between students and faculty.
“A lot of people are intimidated by physics,” Swyt said. “But the people that are in physics are very close, and I think that’s awesome.”
Swyt is also a computer science minor and is programming her own video game called “Escape Tribble.” The game includes clippings of old “Old Gold & Black” stories from the 1980s. She described building “Escape Tribble” as an opportunity to combine her technical skills with her creative side.
“I started doing computer science because it’s very useful for physics, and it’s really fun,” Swyt said. “They really just go hand in hand.”
One of Swyt’s proudest accomplishments at the university is completing her undergraduate thesis, which will soon be published as a bound volume.
“I just finished that, and it’s going to get published as a little book,” Swyt said. “I really can’t wait until it is released. I’m very excited about it.”
As Swyt reflected on her personal growth, she said her time at Wake Forest has allowed her to reach a confidence that she didn’t have before, while also expanding her perspective via connections with her diverse group of peers.
“I’ve made a lot of friends with people that are not from the United States,” Swyt said. “I feel like that’s really broadened the way that I understand people.”
Following her graduation, Swyt will pursue a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder. She will also complete a research internship in Stuttgart, Germany.
For younger students who might be considering physics, Swyt offered a simple piece of advice.
“Go to the events and talk to the people there,” Swyt said. “If you give it a chance, they’re honestly a lot less scary than you think.”
As Swyt prepares to graduate, she hopes to be remembered for the marks she made at Wake Forest, not only in academics, but in the community as well.
“I hope that when people think back, they remember that I was welcoming,” Swyt said. “Oh, and that I was supportive, too.”
