#SoCaltech: Benjamin Idini

“How did I get involved in Jupiter? … I did not begin looking at the sky, but rather, I began looking at what was below my feet. Since I was a young fellow, I was interested in knowing what was at the center of the earth. So, as many of you maybe have done, when I went to the beach, I would make holes trying to know what was in there. This is perhaps my first attempt in my journey to the center of the earth. Of course, it didn't go well. But later I would learn that, using physics and math, you can learn about things that are inside of the Earth and also inside of other planets.”

—Benjamin Idini (MS ’19, PhD ’22), a postdoctoral scholar research associate in planetary science, in his recent Science Journey lecture, "Journey to the Center of Jupiter." Science Journey lectures are a community outreach program that aims to foster a greater understanding of current areas of research and to inspire the next generation of scientists.

#SoCaltech is an occasional series celebrating the diverse individuals who give Caltech its spirit of excellence, ambition, and ingenuity. Know someone we should profile? Send nominations to magazine@caltech.edu.