Alumni Spotlight

Ethan Uberseder '05

An American in Forschungszentrum

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Ethan Uberseder ’05 doesn’t yet, but that didn’t stop him from accepting a position at Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe, a high profile scientific research facility in Karlsruhe, Germany. Fortunately, Uberseder is fluent in physics and primed to work in a group headed by Franz Kappeler, a researcher who studies elements formed by novas and supernovas.

“This is one of those throw-caution-to-the -wind things, especially since I don’t know German,” said Uberseder. But the Quarrysville, Penn. native thinks that his Earlham education is served him well as he faced a series of question marks while beginning work in an unfamiliar country.

“I think Earlham prepares students well to adapt to new circumstances. It’s a really solid, well-rounded education.”

Uberseder rented a room in Waldstadt, a town not far from Karlsruhe. He is slowly picking up the language, adjusting to an hour-long commute on two buses and a train, and doing a lot of reading in Nuclear Astrophysics to prepare him to make hands-on contributions to the research. Since many of Uberseder’s co-workers have already earned doctorates in the subject, he has considerable catching up to do.

As he contributes to the work of the lab by preparing samples and calibrating equipment, Uberseder is able to draw on experience working in a high-level research lab. Last summer, he worked with Michael Weischer, Freimann Professor of Nuclear Physics at the University of Notre Dame. He says that hands-on experience was an excellent supplement to his coursework at Earlham.

Uberseder reports that the most difficult part of his German sojourn is finding himself so far away from family and friends, but he is quick to add that co-workers and landlady alike have been extremely helpful and welcoming. He also notes that with time, he is gaining confidence about practical aspects of living in a foreign country.

“I didn’t have the confidence to order dinner the first night here,” he admitted in a recent e-mail. “I am no longer as intimidated by the cultural and linguistic barriers.... Those small personal victories feel wonderful.”

John Howell, professor of physics, supervised an independent study that Uberseder completed during his senior year expects that his former student will thrive in his new environment.

“Ethan is on a level with the most motivated and self-disciplined students I have worked with on an independent study,” said Howell. “We don’t have enough research going on at Earlham to get all the students involved, so it’s wonderful that students are able to spend time at larger labs during the summer. I think Ethan’s experience at Notre Dame and in Germany will have a dramatic impact on his career path.”

Uberseder plans to pursue a doctorate at some point, but at the moment he is thrilled to gain practical experience outside the academy.

“As a first job out of undergrad, this is pretty amazing,” Uberseder admitted, noting that he would not have gotten his current job without help from his connections at Notre Dame. He was quick to add, however, that an Earlham education is a definite advantage for a research scientist.

“It is so important that Earlham students learn to write well, and are educated so broadly,” he said. “For science students in particular, we are prepared to be more than just scientists.”

Howell concurs, citing his favorite story about Uberseder as an example of the advantages of a liberal arts education. In preparation for a campus visit by the poet Saul Williams, Howell had picked up a book by the author.

“I saw Ethan between classes and asked him if he was familiar with the writer, and he said, “oh yeah, he’s my favorite poet,” Howell recalled with a grin. “That a physics major would even have a favorite poet is a wonderful thing.”

Pretty soon, he’ll speak German, too.