I am a rising senior at American University in Washington, DC and will receive my bachelor’s in physics with a minor in public administration and policy this December. When not in class, you can find me working a multitude of jobs including as a Creative and Technical Specialist (CaTS) at the Design and Build Lab, AU’s rapid prototyping facility, and this last semester as an intern at NASA Headquarters. Outside of school or work, I enjoy spending time on my bike, exploring DC’s museums, or having the odd political debate with my friends.

My path to physics was not a straightforward one. I’ve always known I’ve wanted to be a scientist. I specifically remember watching the PBS program NOVA and being enthralled watching what scientists do on a daily basis. The scientists that I saw on TV were able to explore and discover the universe by asking questions and seeking answers. From then on, I knew I’d be a scientist when I grew up. But as it turns out, my brain seems to be unsatisfied pursuing just one subject. In high school, I was alternately intrigued by chemistry, energy and environmental sciences, anthropology, and even architecture and urban design. But what I really loved was politics and policy. To me, science and politics aren’t that different. They are both systems we use to solve big problems. Combining these two passions then seemed like the obvious choice.

I’m really excited to continue working at the intersection of science and policy. While staying at home may not be the summer I had in mind, I am so grateful for everyone at SPS for being so diligent, and continuing to make this program a reality.