About Me!

I am a first-year Ph.D. student in Environmental Sciences (with a focus in Geosciences) at the University of Virginia. I have always been charmed by planets and even more absorbed with the question of what forces have shaped them, specifically how water has previously shaped Mars. My current work focuses on understanding the variables impacting the formation and morphology of fan-shaped deposits (such as alluvial fans and deltas) on Mars. One of the best things about being a planetary geoscientist is that you innately become a jack of all trades! So many different fields coalesce to help me answer some of the most 'out of this world' questions!

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.