personal

A visual journal of life beyond research.

Beyond papers and simulations, I value the people who make science collaborative, time spent caring for animals, discovering new places, and sitting down over a chessboard. This is a small, evolving visual journal of that life.

01

Research groups

The communities that shaped different chapters of my journey through Padova, Rochester, and Illinois.

Jay with members of Prof. Helvi Witek’s Gravity Group outside a brick building at Illinois
Prof. Helvi Witek’s group · UIUC
Jay with members of Prof. Manuela Campanelli’s research group in a meeting room at RIT
Prof. Manuela Campanelli’s group · RIT
Jay with members of Dr. Riccardo Ciolfi’s research group in a square in Padova
Dr. Riccardo Ciolfi’s group · Padova
02

Animal care

Companionship, patience, and the small everyday rituals of looking after animals.

Care in practice

Time with animals keeps me grounded.

From October 2023 through July 2025, I volunteered two to three hours each week with Rochester Animal Services. The work made patience, trust, and the quiet routines of care an important part of life beyond research.

Rochester, New York 2023–2025
Luca, a gray-and-white tabby cat, looking upward while sitting beside Jay
A quiet moment with Luca.
Miguel, an orange tabby cat, in the foreground with Jay smiling behind him
Miguel, up close.
Jay smiling as Joey, a tan-and-white dog, licks his cheek outdoors
Joey’s idea of a perfect greeting.
Jay taking a selfie with an orange-and-white cat on the cat’s adoption day
Adoption day.
03

Chess

Positions, games, and over-the-board moments worth returning to.

Chess.com · dumbledore27

A good game is always welcome.

Find me online for a game or follow my latest matches.

Let’s play on Chess.com