About

EDUCATION

2024-Present Ph.D. Earth and Planetary Science, Rutgers University – GPA: 4.0

• Dissertation Topic: Computational Analysis of Martian Minerals

2017-2022 B.S. Physics Education, Brigham Young University – GPA: 3.9, Major GPA: 3.93

• Thesis: Modeling the Mutual Inclinations of Exoplanets

 

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

2024-Present Doctoral Fellow – Rutgers University – Advisor: Dr. Shaunna Morrison

• Planetary Mineralogy, Remote Sensing, Data Science, Mineral Chemistry

2020-2021 Research Assistant – BYU – Advisor: Dr. Darin Ragozzine

• Machine Learning, DEMCMC, N-body integration, Transit Duration Variations
• Measured the most precise mutual inclination for the Kepler-18 system known

2021 Senior Thesis – BYU – “Modeling the Mutual Inclinations of Exoplanets” link

2019 Physics 227 Class Research Project – BYU – Detecting Exoplanets using TTVs 

 

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

2022-2024 High School Teacher – Copper Hills High School – Physics & Astronomy

2022          Student Teacher – Springville High School – Standard Physics, AP Physics 1 & 2

2020-2022 Tutor – Private – High School and College Math and Science

2018-2020 Teaching Assistant – Physical Science 100 – Physics, Chemistry, Geology, Astronomy

 

AWARDS

• Excellence Fellowship – Rutgers Department of Earth and Planetary Science (2024-2025)
• BYU Student Research Conference Division Winner (February 2021) link
• Dean’s List – (Spring 2020, Fall 2019, Winter 2019, Fall 2018, Winter 2018, Fall 2017)
• Full Tuition Academic Scholarship to Brigham Young University (Fall 2017 – Spring 2020)
• Certificate of Merit Level 7 with Honors – Piano (2016)

 

PRESENTATIONS

• Lunar and Planetary Science Conference – Expected Poster – “Mineral Site Occupancy and Chemical Substitutability as an Area of Interest for Martian Mineral Analyses” (March 2025)
• 2nd Annual Rutgers Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences Petrology Poster Session – Poster –“Data Visualization of Empirical Site Substitutions Across All Minerals with RRUFF Microprobe Analyses” (November 2024) network
• BYU Student Research Conference – Talk – “Modeling the Mutual Inclinations of Exoplanets” (February 2021)
• CalTech NExScI Exoplanet Demographics – Poster – “Modeling the Mutual Inclinations of Exoplanets” (November 2020) link

 

SKILLS

• Programming Languages: Python, C++, Bash, R, Javascript
• Curriculum Development
• Mathematical and Computational Analysis
• Program Organization and Leadership
• Technical Writing
• International Latin Ballroom Dance – Gold Level

 

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

32nd Meeting of the NASA Small Bodies Assessment Group (SBAG) (January 7-9, 2025)

Mineral Informatics Datathon – Rutgers University (November 25-26 2024)

JEOL JXA 8200 Microprobe Training with John Glass – Rutgers University (November 21, 2024)

LPI Mars Exploration Program Analysis Meeting #18 (November 6-7 2024)

 

INSTRUCTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Teaching Science in the Multiverse – Utah Science Teachers Association (October 2022)
• Energy in the Classroom PD – Utah Science Teachers Association (February 2023)
• Supporting Multilingual Students  – Virtual Course – ELLEVATION (April 2023)

 

CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT

Astronomy B     Launched New Course Copper Hills High School (August 2023)

Astronomy A     Introduced research Copper Hills High School (August 2022)

Physics             Developed exercises Copper Hills High School (August 2022)

Physics             Restructured testing Springville High School (January 2022)

AP Physics 1    Reworked labs Springville High School (January 2022)

Phy S 100 Lab  Prepared lectures Brigham Young University (2018 – 2020)

 

GRANTS SUBMITTED (Awaiting response)

Graduate Research Fellowship Program – National Science Foundation (October 2024)

Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship – Krell Institute (January 2025)

 

SELECTED COURSEWORK

Rutgers University

• CS 501: Mathematical Foundations of Data Science, EPS 302: Petrology

Portland State University

• G410: TOP: Python Natural Sciences, G346: Exploring Mars

Brigham Young University

• MATH 334: Ordinary Differential Equations, MATH 314: Multivariable Calculus, PHY S 377: Teaching Methods & Instruction, PHSCS 416: Writing in Physics, PHSCS 310: Mechanics

 

SERVICE

• Invited Panelist – Rutgers Geology Club – Finding Success in Graduate School and Applications (November 2024)
• Mentor of High School Students – Copper Hills High School – Helping prepare students, including first generation students, for applications and success in college (2022 – 2024)
• Volunteer – Hearts and Hands for Humanity – Drilling wells in Tanzania (July 2022)
• Peer Mentor – Foundations of Leadership – (One week annually 2017 – 2020)
• Section President – The Relief Society – Administering to the needs of the local community (2018 – 2019)

 

ACTIVITIES

• High School Girls Tennis Head Coach, ESports Coach and Ballroom Coach (August 2022 – April 2024)
• American Folk Ensemble – Performance Ambassador to Malopolska Folk Festival in Poland (July 2023)
• Kickball Team Manager and Captain at Stonewall Sports SLC (Summer 2023)
• Studied abroad in Israel/Palestine, Greece, and Jordan (Summer 2019)