Anyone who has spent time in Saint Louis University’s McDonnell Douglas Hall has probably seen Parks junior Chris Pierse. As a physics and math double major, with a minor in biology, Pierse is a frequent night owl in the study rooms.

While some might find his academic load a Herculean task, he said he doesn’t get discouraged.

“Originally I was a biology and physics double major. However that wasn’t feasible, so I turned to a double major in math [and physics] and a minor in biology. usually I don’t get much sleep,” said Pierse.

Pierse said that has had a passion for science for a long time, although he cannot remember exactly when he decided to devote himself to the field.

“When I was three I wanted to be an ice cream man because he had delicious ice cream, then I wanted to be a scientist. I can’t remember, but who knows, maybe Bill Nye was a big influence,” said Pierse.

His academic passions are not hereditary.

“My parents aren’t scientists. My mom is a secretary, and my dad is a mechanic and a production manager. He has worked with the Grateful Dead, The Band and Poison. I have Levon Helm’s harmonica at my house. I tried to learn how to play off of it.”

Now the study of physics plays a major role in Pierses’ worldview.

“Physics is the raw science. Everything can be derived from physics; it makes you think about things more logically, more step by step.”

Outside of his coursework, Pierse has found time for the last two years to lead the Society of Physics Students as its president.

“In SPS we have fun with physics; we have seminars, make physics projects like ballistae, a Ruben’s Tube. In the future were are planning on building a rail gun.”

Under his leadership, the club has won awards from SLU’s own Student Government Association and the National Society of Physics student body for being “an outstanding organization.”

Outside of school activities and his club, Pierse has other hobbies.

“I recently took up long boarding. Outside of that [I spend my time] on learning and video games.”

While Pierse is unsure of where his muse for science came from, he knows where it’s going.

Later this semester he will start a biophysics research project with Professor Dixit in the physics department. He also hopes to get into a Research Experience for Undergraduates program like he did last summer; he worked on a project he describes as “non-linear dynamics of an information preserving automaton relation to a gene regulatory network” at Keck Graduate Institute in California. After his graduation from SLU, Pierse has more plans.

“First I want to go to graduate school for biophysics, then I want to do research. I have theories on resonance and biological systems I’d love to research myself. After that I’d like to be a professor and teach simultaneously so that I could breed a new generation of scientists,” said Pierse.

Inviting others to join him, the Pierse encourages others more students to look to the sciences.

“If anybody is considering a physics major, there are always possibilities out here if you’re up for the challenge.”