About Me!

I am a first-year Ph.D. student in Environmental Sciences (with a focus in Geosciences) at the University of Virginia. My work focuses on how boundary conditions impact fluvial systems on a once-wet Mars, what sedimentary features can tell us about types of rivers, and past environments and habitability of Mars. I aim to combine satellite data, experimental analysis, and field studies of terrestrial analogs to better understand the evolution of Mars' surface.

I graduated from Penn State University in May 2025 with a B.S. in Geosciences and a minor in Astrobiology. I began my undergraduate studies as an Astronomy and Astrophysics major, but quickly realized that I could explore even larger questions about planets—and the processes that shape them—through the geosciences! At Penn State, I was a member of Benjamin Cardenas’ Planetary Sedimentology Lab, where I completed research for my undergraduate thesis. I used HiRISE images and ArcGIS to investigate the mechanism driving lake shoreline progradation at a once-wetter Gale crater on Mars, and how that was impacting what we can see in the present-day stratigraphy there. As this was my first real research project, I learned how to be a pro at ArcGIS, how to use Python to analyze data and images, and how to effectively communicate science with my advisor and my peers. I gained a lot of valuable experience communicating my research in posters, talks, and my formal department thesis presentation during my final semester.

I am a firm believer that science—especially niche science—is only as strong as its communicators. Growing up in a rural area with limited access to advanced classes or STEM extracurriculars showed me the power of accessible science. This is why I strongly value and enjoy outreach events at all levels of understanding. While at Penn State, I was a member of M.A.N.T.L.E., which is a student-led an organization designed to connect Penn State students, both within and outside of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, with the EMS Museum & Art Gallery, to encourage student-museum and community engagement, collaboration, and feedback. Between semesters, I have worked as both a cavern tour guide, educating patrons about the geology of caves, and an educator of sharks and marine invertebrates at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. I thoroughly enjoy helping others connect with science—whether through hands-on experiences, storytelling, or public talks.