Galen Mandes was a masters student in Chemical and Biological Engineering. His research at Princeton focused on the synthesis of moisture absorbent, temperature controlled hydrogels. Galen is an active duty US Army officer, most recently assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division where he commanded two companies of Paratroopers. After Princeton, he moved on to become an instructor at the United States Military Academy West Point.

Galen was born in Washington, D.C. and will always be a D.C. sports fan, no matter how grim the prospects. When not in the lab, he is playing rugby for the Princeton Men's Rugby Football Club, or spending time with his family.