Physics · Stetson University · B.S. expected Dec 2027

Chase Bierbach

I rebuild engines, and study the physics of why they work.

Physics undergraduate, minor in Mathematics. Compression, airflow, heat and pressure were real problems in my garage before they were equations in a classroom — now I want the underlying explanation.

Résumé See the work Email

Reading the truck's engine controller on the bench — Reading the Silverado's P59 engine controller on a bench harness and regulated supply.

Cumulative GPA: 3.7
President's List: ×3
Vehicles documented: 6
Photographs of the work: 103
B.S. Physics, expected December: 2027

01 — Physics

My interest in physics started under a car.

Cars were my first introduction to applied physics: compression, combustion, airflow, friction, heat transfer, pressure and vibration were real problems to solve before they were equations.

Physics gave me a deeper language for questions I was already asking. What began with wanting to understand an engine has grown into an interest in theoretical physics, mathematics, computation, and the laws behind complex systems — particularly where fundamental physics, experiment and computation meet.

Theoretical physics
Particle physics
Quantum physics
Mathematical modeling
Experimental physics
Computational analysis

Academic background & coursework

02 — Method

Measure. Model. Then act.

Measure

A strip of Plastigage being placed on a bearing shell — Fig. 1 Plastigage on a bearing shell — oil clearance, read off the crush width.

The rebuild went together to specification. Clearances were checked, not assumed.

Model

η_{v} = \frac{2 {\dot{m}}_{a}}{ρ_{a} V_{d} N}

ρ_{a} = \frac{p}{R T}

Fig. 2 — Volumetric efficiency: the air the engine actually moves, against what 4.8 L of displacement allows per two revolutions.

I am building this in Python: back-calculating measured VE from logged airflow, MAP, RPM and intake temperature on the truck's P59 controller.

Act

Case note · Silverado

Rebuilt to spec. Misfired at idle anyway.

A smoke test found the intake manifold leaking. The gaskets' locating tabs fouled the head studs and held them off their seat — no torque would have sealed it. Tabs cut, gaskets reseated, idle and stalling resolved.

Read the build

03 — Work

Six vehicles.
One engine taken all the way apart.

From the bench

The Silverado's bottom end on the stand — Bottom end on the stand — main and rod caps marked for reassembly.

The truck's 4.8-litre V8, painted teal, reassembled on an engine stand — The same engine, rebuilt and back on the stand.

The truck's instrument-cluster circuit board, opened up — The instrument cluster's circuit board, opened up.

04 — Résumé

Education & experience

Download résumé

Expected December 2027

Stetson University

B.S. Physics, minor in Mathematics · 3.7 GPA

President's List — Fall 2024 · Spring 2025 · Fall 2025 · National Merit Scholar Finalist · Stetson Presidential Scholarship

June 2021 — June 2024

Customer Service and Front End Coordinator — Publix Super Markets

Accurate transaction handling and security-procedure compliance in a high-volume store.

Progressed into front-end coordination: organizing people and priorities.

September 2025 — Present

Academic Chair — Pi Kappa Phi, Stetson University

Developed systems for tracking chapter study hours and organizing academic accountability.

July — August 2024

Study abroad — Innsbruck, Austria

Computation

Python · NumPy · pandas · Matplotlib · LabVIEW · Mathematica · Git · Excel

Diagnostics & mechanical

OBD-II diagnostics · Multimeter · Oscilloscope · Engine assembly · Torque procedures · Micrometers / calipers · Dial indicators · Mechanical measurement · Troubleshooting

Communication & media

Adobe Photoshop · Adobe Premiere Pro · Microsoft Word · Technical documentation · Photography / visual communication

05 — Contact

Let's talk.

[email protected](720) 308-9434 About me →