Rusty Hooper, a Navy veteran and non-traditional student, is pursuing research in physical chemistry at Kennesaw State University, according to a May 21 statement. Hooper, who previously operated shutdown nuclear reactors for about ten years in the Navy, found his academic focus after enrolling at Kennesaw State for its proximity to his home in Dallas, Georgia.
Hooper’s journey highlights the opportunities available to veterans and non-traditional students seeking new career paths through higher education. He became involved with the College of Science and Mathematics after reaching out to Assistant Professor of Chemistry Madalynn Marshall regarding Phi Lambda Upsilon, an honors chemistry society. Soon after connecting with Marshall, he joined her laboratory as an undergraduate researcher.
Marshall’s lab conducts research on materials used for energy storage and generation using magnetic methods—a field that intersects chemistry, physics, materials science, and engineering. The importance of this work is underscored by global challenges related to energy demand and sustainable technology development.
Hooper said about his interest in Marshall’s project: “What really got me interested in Dr. Marshall’s project was the ways the theory and the synthesis can be put toward real applications. I believe the title of the project has to do with energy conservation, transfer, and storage. Given there are only so many fossil fuels and so many ways that we can make energy, we as humanity need to be on the bleeding edge of sustainable technologies.”
Reflecting on how college influenced his goals around sustainability Hooper said: “Honestly…the trajectory I want to take with anything I do now…developed after I started college…energy sustainability and greenhouse climate change — those two are intrinsically linked.” He also described current projects such as developing a metal organic framework for absorbing carbon dioxide emissions from cars and analyzing pesticide residues in honey from bee hives across Georgia.
Hooper credited Kennesaw State University for supporting veterans like himself: “Kennesaw State takes care of us veterans. We have a lot of resources available to us…Everyone on the Military and Veteran Services side of the house has been very nice…”
The experiences shared by Hooper illustrate how universities can help military veterans transition into fields focused on critical issues such as environmental conservation.
