Prize Recipient

Christopher Ryan Edwards Bruner

Background:

Hi, my name is Chris Bruner and I am 20 years old. I graduated from the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics in May 2004. OSSM is a two year residential public high school that has a reputation of being one of the most rigorous academic programs of its kind in the country. It was there, during my junior year that I realized my passion for physics. What a wonderful discovery!

I grew up an only child in Wewoka, a small rural town in south east Oklahoma. My family is Catholic and I served as altar boy at St. Josephs Catholic church for thirteen years. I have an awesome extended family: my mom, who has always told me that I could be whatever I set my mind to; my uncle, Roy Overstreet, who believed in me when I doubted myself  all those science projects paid off; and aunts, uncles and cousins who provided unconditional love and support for me and my education endeavors. I also give thanks to my grandmother, Pattie Sue Edwards, whom I affectionately refer to as Nana, for her warm-heartedness and unending love for me and all of her grandchildren.

I have spent the past two summers working in a facility with adults who are mentally challenged. Seeing others who are developmentally disabled keeps me grounded and reminds me how blessed I am. My mom says that my ability to understand and grasp concepts and theories in physics is a true gift. I intend to share my love of physics with others through research and teaching. In my spare time I play pool and enjoy basketball. Frank Herberts Dune book series is my all time favorite.

Fall 2006 I will begin my junior year at the Worcester Polytech Institute (WPI) in Worcester, Massachusetts, majoring in physics of course.