ScI Tri: Research and Racing

Striving for performance in both graduate school and triathlon

About Me

About

Name: Chris Funch

Age: 29

Home state: Massachusetts

Current state: Oregon

Years a scientist: At least since 2007 when I made a potato cannon for Physics class in high school

Years a triathlete: Since the winter of 2013 when I finally found the courage to swim

Years with a mustache: Since the Fall of 20091

Why I have this blog

“Leave it better than you found it” was one of many coined axioms of my college Cross-Country coach, and mentor, John A. Newman2. It’s also one that I have tried to take to heart everywhere I have gone.

There is a lot of great science happening all around us. Not just at prestigious graduate schools, national labs, or industrial R&D facilities. As trivial as some of it may seem if you are outside of that research specialty many researchers are motivated by the fact that their research could actually impact the lives of other people3. I believe that to better impact people through my science it is helpful if you actually get to see some of my science. Communication is a key part of that.

Triathlon is not an easy sport4. That is why so many crazy people are drawn towards it. Even after just a year of doing it I knew I loved the sport. I want other people to enjoy it to. Besides just providing updates on my own training and racing I want to provide some resources for you to better yourself5.

Science & Professional Background

B.S in Physics from St. Lawrence University, 20116.

M.S. in Applied Physics from University of Oregon, 20127.

Process Engineer at IBM in Burlington, Vermont, 2012-20158

Graduate Student in Chemistry at the University of Oregon, NOW!9

Athletic Background

Track and Cross-Country runner since 2000 (6th grade)

Sampling of PRs10

800m: 1:55.80     1500m: 4:00.7     Mile: 4:18.87     3000m Steeplechase: 9:21.85     5k: 15:24.23

10k: 33:22     Half Marathon: 1:11:30     Sprint Triathlon: 1:07:11     Olympic Triathlon: 2:02:20

70.3+ distance Triathlon: 4:41:48

Accomplishment I am most proud of: Being on the 3rd place NCAA DIII Cross-Country team in 201011

My fiancé and our wonderful dog

Lindsey

Lindsey is a constant source of inspiration to me. Every time I look her way she’s always doing something productive12. She puts up with me while also making me laugh. I couldn’t ask for anymore.

Bacon

Bacon is…well, a dog13. She’s cute most of the time and we love her as much as the food she is named after14.

  1. A few hiatuses here and there but most anyone that met me after 2009 has only ever known me with a mustache. This isn’t some “no shave November” kind of commitment, this is the real thing. Besides, it’s the source of all my power. ↩
  2. John’s bio @ SLU ↩
  3. Technology is an easy application of research for people to grasp. Even if you do not know how a light emitting diode (LED) works I am sure you have seen that simple technology find its way into your life through your flashlight, light bulb, car, or even TV (to name a few). However, more often than not a single research project does not produce a final product. It takes time, effort, money, and more time for a team of people to aggregate what research has been done with the research they are doing to integrate it into something that you may actually be able to use. ↩
  4. Unfortunately it is not easy for many because it it too expensive. Because of this it is often called an “elitist” sport. It’s much easier to claim that when you look at the professional scene where people are riding $15,000 bikes. Even the registration fees for your local “try-a-tri” might seem like a barrier. This doesn’t mean you can’t do it. There are a lot of ways to work your way towards something if you really want to do it. ↩
  5. There is a lot of information out there but very little of it may pertain to you. I’ll do my best to act as a filter and provide you with some resources I have found to be helpful without any misinformation. ↩
  6. SLU! ↩
  7. UO Graduate Internship Program ↩
  8. A few more details on what I did at IBM and my LinkedIn profile ↩
  9. UO Chemistry Department. I am doing my research under Dr. Shannon Boettcher. If you want to know more about his research this is our group’s website: Boettcher Lab ↩
  10. Everything under 10k is from my senior year at SLU in 2010-2011. The “glory days” of college. ↩
  11. SLU archive post ↩
  12. Most times I look is when I’m on the couch doing nothing so it only adds to my admiration of her and my own personal guilt ↩
  13. She’s “wonderful” most of the time but she is also a spoiled princess who won’t let you eat, sit down, or enjoy a moment without her letting you know that she is also there and desperately needs your love. ↩
  14. Now if we can just get her to give us some more room in the bed ↩