Home Institution: University of Denver
Research Project: Large single-electron response CCDs to search for dark matter
UW Mentor(s): Alvaro Chavarria

Q: What are your physics/science interests?
AMO physics is what I tend to find most interesting. I work in an optics lab at my home university on a project pertaining to light with orbital angular momentum, and the research we conduct there is fascinating to me. Optics was also my favorite class I've taken in my undergraduate physics career! Outside of physics, I've always appreciated astronomy and find myself reading astronomy books and stargazing frequently as a hobby.

Q: What are your other interests?
I love learning languages and have spent the last 7 years learning German. In the fall of 2018, I studied abroad in Salzburg, Austria to further learning about the culture of the region and work on my language skills. This fall I will start learning Italian as a third language. I've always wanted to learn about different cultures, and I find language to be the bridge between learning and experiencing people's lives. I'm also an avid crafter! I love to learn new skills such as crocheting, sewing, needle work, baking, cooking, and many other little home trades.

Q: What would you like to do after college?
After I earn my undergraduate degree, I hope to move onto graduate school in physics. I'm not certain what field I want to go into, but I do know I want to work as a researcher in experimental physics. Once I complete graduate school, I would like to travel for a while and then settle down for a job doing physics research of some sort.

Q: Tell us one strange but interesting fact about yourself.
I've travelled to 35 countries. My father is a pilot which has allowed our family the freedom to see the world. Most people my age have never left North America or even the United States, and yet I've had the opportunity to explore 4 continents. My experiences have allowed me different perspectives and views than my peers. My goal is to learn as many languages as possible and study the cultures and histories of different people so we can communicate our stories.

Q: What first sparked your interest in Physics?
Although cliche, my interest in physics was sparked when I was a kid. At my elementary school we had these special classes; I found myself in a class called "Mission to Mars". We learned all about our solar system and space travel. The pivotal moment was this class field trip we went on to the St. Louis Challenger Learning Center where we simulated going into space and working at mission control. We planned our mission for weeks in advance and were all assigned different positions. I was fascinated by it all, and when we had completed the mission and we were all cheering in "mission control" I fell in love. I knew in that moment I needed to be a part of something like this. I needed answers to the universe and I wanted to search for what was out there. The feeling that comes from any accomplishment in research, big or small, gives me the greatest excitement. From a young age, I knew I was meant to play a part in scientific discovery and physics was my path.

Q:If you could have any pet what would it be?
If I could have any pet I would want otters. Not just one otter, but multiple since they are pack creatures who need friends. Otters are the perfect little animals that love to cuddle and just lay on their backs lounging in the water. I love their playful attitude and friendly demeanor. I would love just having my own little otter pack to play and snuggle with!

Q: If you had a free month and unlimited funds, how would you spend your time?
I would spend it travelling around Nepal. Travelling is a huge passion of mine, and I love to explore the world with any opportunity that I get. I've found myself incredibly lucky to travel all over, but one of the regions I've yet to discover is the Himalayas. I find the architecture fascinating and the cultural riveting. With Nepal being so far from America, I haven't had the time to go there making it a dream of mine still.

Q: If you could get a grant to study anything what would it be?
I've always joked how nice it would be to teleport anywhere you wanted with the snap of your fingers. Have an hour long lunch break? Why not spend it on the banks of the Seine eating a Croque Monsieur! Although teleportation to this extent may be completely unrealistic, I would love to see if science could make it a reality. With a grant to study anything, figuring out teleportation of humans would be my first go to. It could open up so many doors, and humans would have so much more freedom to explore without time or financial limitations!