William T. Ford

Associate Tech Crew

Overview:

Will Ford is a rising third-year double-majoring in Chemistry and Medicine, Health, and Society and minoring in Mediterranean Studies. A born and bred product of Cincinnati, Ohio, Will has been part of VINSE’s undergraduate Tech Crew staff since the start of summer 2023. He specializes in plasma-assisted etching systems and currently works to develop, characterize, and optimize nitride/oxide processes employing reactive ion etching for cleanroom users. Apart from operating cleanroom machinery, Will enjoys facilitating outreach events and instilling within young scientists a passion for all things nanoscience. He hopes to attend medical school, believing his gain of a transferable skill set and interactions with like-minded peers will prove beneficial in future practice. Will is involved in on-campus research, embraces the Vanderbilt spirit as both a VUceptor and campus Tour Guide, and is passionate about mental health policy, advocacy, and equity. He is, too, a retired year-round swimmer and avid trail runner and looks to take on a full-length Ironman before graduating.