How did being at Brown shape your path to a career in investing?

Being at Brown shaped my path in ways I couldn’t have predicted. One of the most formative experiences was joining Professor Jonathan Pober’s radio astronomy group as a first-year. The hands-on research, data analysis, and coding I learned in that lab not only strengthened my scientific foundation but also helped me land my first finance internship at Goldman Sachs. Brown also gave me early exposure to entrepreneurship through the Nelson Center and Professor Hazeltine’s classes, where I learned how startups are built and first discovered venture capital as a career path.

Tell us about your Brown experience. Who influenced your journey?

I was incredibly fortunate to work with Professor Ian Dell’Antonio as my thesis advisor. He supported my decision to pursue a hands-on, independent project measuring spectroscopic binary star systems using a telescope at CCRI. That experience pushed me as a researcher and gave me the confidence to design and execute my own scientific work. His mentorship was foundational in helping me grow both as a physicist and as a problem-solver. 

Further, the undergraduate community played a huge role in my journey. As a first- and second-year navigating challenging coursework, I was grateful to have the guidance of junior and senior physics students who took the time to help me understand difficult concepts, plan my academic path, and adjust to life at Brown. That culture of collaboration and support is something truly special about the department. What makes Brown unique is its deep interdisciplinary nature. Many of my friends in other concentrations have gone on to become founders and investors. It's great to have the Brown Alumni network and see us supporting each other in our career journeys.

We’d love to hear more about your current position and how physics plays a part in your career.

I'm an investor at Calibrate Ventures, where I focus on early-stage deep-tech companies across robotics and automation, AI/ML, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and engineering. My job is a mix of evaluating cutting-edge technologies, working with founders, and understanding how scientific breakthroughs can become scalable businesses. Every day, I get to dive into topics that sit right at the intersection of physics, engineering, and real-world applications, from autonomous robots to inertial navigation and physics-based AI models.

Physics plays a central role in how I approach investing. It trained me to break down complex systems, reason rigorously, and make sense of ambiguous problems. But even more importantly, it gave me the ability to understand the fundamental principles behind the technologies founders are building. I can evaluate how a product actually works, whether a technical approach is viable, and what makes it defensible over time. That technical fluency not only helps me assess opportunities more accurately — it also helps me build credibility and trust with founders, who know I can engage deeply with their work and support them as true thought partners.

Can you share words of wisdom for our current and prospective students?

Do hard things and ask for help. Challenging yourself early builds confidence, resilience, and sharp instincts. Don’t hesitate to seek help! Smart people ask questions, and collaboration accelerates growth and makes challenging problems manageable.

Give yourself permission to pivot. Your interests will evolve, and changing direction is a sign of awareness and humility, not failure. Some of the most meaningful opportunities emerge when you allow yourself to explore new paths.

Build your network before you need it. Relationships compound over time and often become the strongest drivers of personal and professional growth. Invest in people now (classmates, professors, mentors), those connections will support you long after Brown.