Sam Hendley
Graduate student in the laboratory of Kenneth Bader
What drew me to the University of Chicago was the rigor of both its academics and research. I earned my B.Sc in Physics with a minor in math and music performance from the University of Florida, and having come from a condensed matter background, I had never worked specifically in a medical physics research setting before. Because the medical physics program here offers chances to rotate through different labs during one’s first year, I got to explore the different areas in medical physics and see which research questions interested me. Currently I work with biomedical acoustics and therapeutic ultrasound in the Bader lab, and am interested in the mechanical fractionation of tissue, especially as it relates to chronic deep vein thrombosis. Outside of the lab I play the cello and practice with some chamber groups around Hyde Park. I also volunteer with STEM Scouts, a program which helps girls and boys learn about science, technology, engineering and math through creative, hands-on activities, field trips and interaction with STEM professionals.