Logan McGregor Bridges Physics and Bagpipes

Logan McGregor performed at Commencement Weekend ceremonies throughout his Carnegie Mellon University experience. This year, he piped at his own graduation.

"Commencement was a deeply meaningful moment," said McGregor, who graduated with a BXA in physics and bagpipe performance. "Being able to commemorate my own graduation with one final bagpipe performance felt like a perfect send-off, not just for me, but for everyone celebrating that day."

McGregor's passion for piping started when he met the late Ann Watson, a bagpipe performer and teacher. When he heard Carnegie Mellon was the only U.S. institution to offer an undergraduate degree in bagpipe performance, it was his top choice.

Carnegie Mellon also offered the opportunity to pursue his other passion, physics. Stephanie Murray, senior associate dean for interdisciplinary initiatives in the College of Fine Arts, and Gillian Ryan, director of undergraduate affairs in the Department of Physics, guided him through the Bachelor of Science and Arts program.

"At CMU, I found a way to weave together my passions for physics and the bagpipes, forging a path that bridged scientific inquiry with the creativity of the arts and music," McGregor said.

During his first year, McGregor joined Carnegie Mellon Pipes and Drums. The ensemble plays for campus events and regularly competes at national competitions.

"I was excited and honored to contribute to this team full of world-class bagpipers," McGregor said. "Studying under Professor Andrew Carlisle, an internationally renowned competitor, was amazing. The experience performing with these competitors significantly improved my skills."

On the physics side, McGregor joined the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment through Manfred Paulini, professor of physics and associate dean for research in the Mellon College of Science.

"I had a first-year physics class with Dr. Manfred Paulini, and he really solidified my desire to further study physics," McGregor said.

Further physics classes with John Alison, associate professor of physics, expanded his understanding in the field.

"I had an opportunity to work on the CERN particle accelerator project with both Dr. Paulini and Dr. Alison," McGregor said. "I thought, 'this is something I've got to be a part of.'"

The CMS experiment, which is based at CERN's Large Hadron Collider, investigates particle physics through proton-proton collisions. McGregor assisted Carnegie Mellon researchers building modules for the high-granularity calorimeter (HGCAL) upgrade to the CMS detectors. The upgrade will enhance the quality of the recorded data as well as cope with large amounts of ionizing radiation.

"Logan worked on various projects, for example, he tested the electronics modules that we built in our lab," Paulini said. "Logan's experience with the bagpipes gave him excellent manual dexterity, which was really valuable in our constructs and lab work."

McGregor said that his work on the CMS experiment was one of his most meaningful Carnegie Mellon experiences.

"The most exciting part about working on the modules is knowing that the work you're doing will have a tangible effect in the world," McGregor said. "Once I'm finished with a module, it has a possibility of being part of the particle accelerator CERN is working on, which I just find awesome."

After graduation, McGregor said he is looking forward to taking his knowledge of physics and bagpipes into his future career.

"My journey with physics and the highland bagpipes is far from over," McGregor said. "It is a part of who I am, and I am eager to see where my continued pursuit of mastery will take me."