LSA Graduating Seniors 2026: Cracking the Code to a Great Education

David McDermott discovered his interest in coding in middle school through his love of Minecraft. Even then, though, he wished he had identified this passion sooner.

“In Minecraft, you could create servers with custom games and modifications, and I thought programming those different minigames seemed like it would be a lot of fun,” says McDermott, a Chicago native. “However, even around the age of 12-13, I thought it was too late for me to learn to code. For whatever reason, I had the impression that everyone who ended up programming started in elementary school.”

That all changed when he came to U-M. “First, I joined the club Wolverine Sports Analytics, where we started learning basic Python for data analysis, which I really enjoyed,” he says. “Second, I saw friends and peers taking introductory computer science courses and had a moment where I thought, ‘Wait, you can just do that? You can start now?’.”

He could indeed. He combined computer science courses at the College of Engineering with physics classes at LSA. This spring, he is graduating with a bachelor of science in interdisciplinary physics with a concentration in quantum computing.

Then it’s off to Chicago, where he will work as a software developer for IMC, a proprietary trading company and market maker. His work will primarily involve writing code, building new tools, and improving the computer and network infrastructure that IMC uses to make trades. 

While most of the job will involve coding, his physics background will play an important role in his work as well. “I’m much better at math and reasoning as a result of my physics curriculum,” McDermott says. Several physics courses “provided both introductions to advanced math concepts like Fourier Transforms, as well as practice applying math to difficult concepts, which I think will be valuable to me both in the short term and wherever my work takes me in the long term.”

One physics faculty member in particular stands out among the many strong instructors he encountered during the past four years. Henriette Elvang, an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor and Oskar Klein Collegiate Professor of Physics, was his physics advisor and helped him design his interdisciplinary physics course plan.

“Professor Elvang is among the kindest and smartest people at Michigan,” McDermott says. “She is dedicated to her students and understands the importance of combining clear instruction with consistent practice in her courses. She greets every student with a smile and makes the Physics Department feel like home.”

McDermott believes his well-rounded education at LSA will serve him well in work and in life. One highlight was “Local Food Producers,” an anthropological archaeology course. 

The class “changed the way I view the food I purchase and consume. As someone who loves to cook, loves to eat, and thinks about food often, it provided a new perspective on where my food comes from and the impact that my consumption decisions have on my community and my well-being,” he says.

After working for a couple of years, he will likely pursue a doctorate with a goal of doing computer science research. A non-career-centric goal was bolstered by the food producers course: He wants to build a reputation among friends and family “as an amazing host. I really enjoy planning dinner parties and get-togethers, and I admire people who are selfless and gracious hosts. I hope that those who know me will think of me as someone who will always welcome them and who can cook a hearty meal.” 

When he looks back on his time at U-M, McDermott appreciates the resources and opportunities that the university afforded him. 

“I could never have imagined the course that my college career ended up taking,” he says. “I feel fortunate to have been at an institution where, no matter what interest I found myself pursuing or what area I wanted to learn about, I could find a plethora of people and organizations with expertise and passion for that topic, always willing to provide a helping hand and share their knowledge. I think Michigan is unique in that regard, and I am truly, truly thankful for it.”