Splash Biography

ARNALDO RODRIGUEZ-GONZALEZ, Ph.D. student in theoretical hydrodynamics

Major: Theoretical & Applied Mechanics

College/Employer: Cornell

Year of Graduation: G

Brief Biographical Sketch:

Hello! I'm Arnaldo, a 3rd year Ph.D. student here at Cornell. I like to find strange phenomena in physics, describe them using math, and then squeeze whatever useful knowledge I can out of the usually nasty equations. At Cornell, I do this for fluid flows inside really small things, from the microscopic to nanoscopic scales.

Here are a list of things I've done in the past to hopefully convince you I'm smart:
-I worked on particle accelerators for about a year and a half.
-I worked for a few months on that LIGO gravitational-wave business that's been in the news these days.
-I helped build a really cool dark matter detector in Italy! (Hasn't found anything yet, sadly.)

If you are interested in knowing what might be the kinds of things I would discuss in my course and don't mind potential spoilers, take a look at my proto-blog aghostinthefigures.com.

Past Classes

(Clicking a class title will bring you to the course's section of the corresponding course catalog)

M610: Math for People Who Hate Math in Splash Spring 2019 (Apr. 27, 2019)

Do you dread taking math class? Do you constantly wonder what the point of finding $$x$$ is? This course is a calculation-light introduction into the philosophical aspects of math more in line with what practicing mathematicians study. Questions that may or may not be answered in this course include: -Why can't $$2 + 2 = 5$$? -How is every drawing the same? -Why would Shakespeare love imaginary numbers? -What is the study of half-truths? If you want, come prepared with an idea/question about math and we'll discuss it!

P458: Theoretical Physics 101: How to Learn About The Universe (or Die Trying) in Splash Fall 2018 (Nov. 10, 2018)

Have you ever had cool ideas about how you think the universe works? Like physics, but hate math? This course is a non-mathematical intro on how you can take an idea you have about how things work and turn it into an even better one. The topics & structure of the course will be largely decided by student curiosity, but expect discussions on how to do theoretical physics interspersed with interesting examples of strange physical phenomena! Questions that may or may not be answered in this course include: -Why are scientists no fun at parties? -How is the universe out to drive me nuts? -Why does everyone keep getting math involved? -What might quantum gravity be like? If you want, come prepared with an idea/question about physics and we'll discuss it!

P446: Theoretical Physics 101: How to Learn About The Universe (or Die Trying) in Splash Spring 18 (Apr. 28, 2018)

Have you ever had cool ideas about how you think the universe works? Like physics, but hate math? This course is a non-mathematical intro on how you can take an idea you have about how things work and turn it into an even better one. The topics & structure of the course will be largely decided by student curiosity, but expect discussions on how to do theoretical physics interspersed with interesting examples of strange physical phenomena! Questions that may or may not be answered in this course include: -Why are scientists no fun at parties? -How is the universe out to drive me nuts? -Why does everyone keep getting math involved? -How hot would the Sun be if it was made out of gerbils? If you want, come prepared with an idea/question about physics and we'll discuss it!

P376: Theoretical Physics 101: How to Learn About The Universe (or Die Trying) in Splash Fall 17 (Nov. 04, 2017)

Have you ever had cool ideas about how you think the universe works? Like physics, but hate math? This course is a non-mathematical intro on how you can take an idea you have about how things work and turn it into an even better one. The topics & structure of the course will be largely decided by student curiosity, but expect 5-10 minute discussions on aspects of how to do theoretical physics interspersed with interesting hands-on examples of strange physical phenomena! Questions that may or may not be answered in this course include: -Why are scientists no fun at parties? -How is the universe out to drive me nuts? -Why does everyone keep getting math involved? -How hot would the Sun be if it was made out of gerbils? If you want, come prepared with an idea/question about physics and we'll discuss it!