The most impactful Illini during Shahzeen Attari’s four years on campus? It’s a three-way tie for first place.
“From our absolutely world-class physics program at UIUC, Mike Weissman, Bob Clegg and Linda Lorenz all helped me find my way,” says the 2004 Grainger College of Engineering grad, now an associate professor at Indiana University’s O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs.
“Mike was my very first research mentor when I was a sophomore. Mike is known for his brilliance, and is also incredibly kind and patient. I try to emulate his mentorship when I work with students. He also opened up a world of justice and philosophy to me which remains today.
“Bob was my second research mentor and senior thesis advisor. His energy and enthusiasm was contagious, and he nurtured my love of interdisciplinary research.
“Linda took me to see my very first Vincent van Gogh exhibit, and nurtured my curiosity and love for things outside of physics. She introduced me to people and graduate programs where my ideas could be nurtured. It is because of her I applied to graduate school and ended up at Carnegie Mellon for my Ph.D.”
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