#SoCaltech: William Denman — Caltech Magazine

“I find the triathlon a very cathartic activity. Triathlon training and research can be lonely endeavors, so having a team to train with at Caltech is an added bonus. I am a spectroscopist, so I work in a sub-basement; take your classic basement and then go down another story. There are no windows down there, so I usually don’t see the sun a lot, but triathlon training gives me an escape from basement life. I look at triathlons from a very scientific standpoint: I calculate when I’m going to eat, how many carbohydrates I need per hour, the electrolytes and water needed. I even do bike testing and calculations to optimize aerodynamics.”

William Denman (pictured above, center right in navy blue shirt), a Chemistry graduate student working in geoplanetary science, is the longest-standing member of the Caltech Triathlon Club. Denman and several others from the 25-member club competed at the Santa Barbara Triathlon & Beach Festival in late August.

#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.