Student Spotlight: Casey Hess

Originally from Annville, PA, a small town near Hershey, Casey has always had a passion for controls, system integration, and hands-on experimentation. He conducts his research at the Advanced Combustion and Energetics Lab (ACEL) at Penn State Altoona. Outside of academics, Casey has been a dedicated member of the PSU Altoona Men’s Tennis Team for all four years. In his spare time, he enjoys ping-pong, disc golf, and backpacking, almost anything that gets him moving and outdoors.

Casey is actively involved in Impact Campus Ministry and the Racquet Sports Club at Altoona. He values the balance and reflection campus ministry brings to the fast pace of academic life and enjoys racquet sports for their focus, technique, and the opportunity to connect with new people.

This summer, Casey is excited to dive deeper into his PIPELINE project, dedicating uninterrupted time to refine and elevate his research. His experiences in PIPELINE have played a major role in paving his path toward graduate school at Penn State. Ultimately, he hopes to build a career within or closely connected to academia and research. Casey sees this internship as a foundational experience that will shape his professional journey for years to come.