Chase Bierbach
Physics undergraduate — DeLand, Florida
The truck on the projects page came apart in my garage and went back together the same way, and when it misfired afterward I found out why rather than guessing. That is the method I try to work by: measure, then act.
My interest in physics started under a car. Working out why an engine behaves the way it does — compression, airflow, heat, pressure — turned into wanting the underlying explanation, and that is what I am at Stetson to get.
Education
Stetson University — B.S. Physics, minor in Mathematics. Expected December 2027. Cumulative GPA 3.7.
- President's List — Fall 2024, Spring 2025, Fall 2025
- Stetson Presidential Scholarship; EASE Grant
- Coursework including mathematical methods (differential equations) and mathematical modelling
- Study abroad — Innsbruck, Austria, summer 2024
Fort Pierce Central High School — 2024. National Merit Scholar Finalist, National Honor Society, 5.0 weighted GPA.
Interests in physics
Theoretical, particle, and quantum physics — the areas where the open questions are, and where the answers seem most likely to change what the rest of the field assumes. Increasingly I think the mathematics is the point rather than the tool, which is why the minor is not incidental.
Software and analysis
I am beginning to work on the software side of engine tuning — reading logs from the Silverado's P59 controller and learning to model volumetric efficiency in Python. It is early work and I am learning it as I go, but it is the direction I want to take this: using the physics to explain what an engine is actually doing rather than guessing from symptoms.
Python. Coursework and early log-analysis work
Mathematica. Symbolic work and modelling
LabVIEW. Instrumentation and data acquisition
KaleidaGraph, Excel. Scientific graphing and analysis
Mechanical capabilities
Engine. Full removal, teardown and rebuild; camshaft and valvetrain; timing; gasket and sealing diagnosis
Diagnostics. Driveability, misfire, intermittent faults, smoke testing, data logging and log analysis
Fuel and ignition. Pumps, injectors, rails, coils, plugs, wideband AFR instrumentation
Drivetrain and chassis. Transmission replacement, clutch, subframe work, full suspension overhaul
Cooling and hydraulics. Pumps, thermostats, radiators, hoses, pressurised hydraulic circuits
Controls. GM P59 read and write, calibration tables, ECU programming, sensor and wiring diagnosis
Vehicles worked
- 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 — 4.8L LR4 pushrod V8
- 2010 BMW 335d — M57 3.0L turbo-diesel inline-six
- 2003 BMW 530i — M54 3.0L inline-six
- 2014 BMW 320i — N20 2.0L turbocharged inline-four
- 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG — M113K 5.4L supercharged V8
- Chevrolet C10 — Chevrolet V8 · Edelbrock four-barrel
Tools
- Micrometer, calipers, dial indicator
- Calibrated torque wrenches
- OBDX Pro VX (J1850 VPW)
- AEM 30-0300 X-Series wideband
- Smoke machine
- Bench harness and regulated supply
- Engine hoist and stand
- Full metric and SAE hand tools
Experience
Pi Kappa Phi, Academic Chair — Stetson University, September 2025 to present. Built and run the chapter's study-hour logging programme; coordinate events for groups of 20–50.
Publix Super Markets — June 2021 to June 2024. Progressed to Customer Service and Front End Coordinator, running the front end and handling register accountability in a high-volume environment.