Luis Hernandez

#PeopleofNIU Photo by Michelle LaVigne/Creative Services

Hometown: Chicago Heights, IL

Major: Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology

Why did you choose NIU?
I liked the direction that the department gave me during my time as an undergraduate. It’s a breath of fresh air to be able to do what I want and take research in any direction I choose. I felt a high level of autonomy here. 

Why did you choose this major?
My research is the combination of two things I love studying: mathematics and the human physiological systems. I wanted to do all the things that excited me math, science, philosophy, but you can’t. So I changed my major to something interdisciplinary so I can do everything. 

What are your career goals?
Working for NASA as a researcher in space physiology.